The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 23.2.6

23.2.6

When these and some other Children were settled, as was thought, in Christian religion, and had learnd some Principles therof, as, to marry but one wife, not to be coupled with infidles, the King settes the boyes to demand some Portugalles wifes of the Jesuittes; who, thincking it only an idle motion of their owne braynes, Chyd them, and suspected no more. But that being the end of their Conuersion, to gett a woeman for the King, and no care taken, the two Princes came to the Jesuites, and surrendred vp their Crosses and all other rites, professing they would be noe longer Christians, because the King of Portugall sent them no Presentes nor wiues, according as they expected. The Padre, seeing this, began to doubt ther was more in that then the boyes reuealed, especially seeing their Confidence, that had cast off the awe of Pupilles ; and, examining the matter, had it confessed the King commanded them. They refused to accept the Crosses, answering they had been giuen by his Maiesties order, and they would not take Notice from boyes of any such surrender ; but bad them desier the King to send some of those who by a kynd of order are to deliuer all his Maiesties Commands, whose mouthes are by Priuiledges sufficient authoritye, and then they would accept them ; hoping, and knoweing the King's Nature, that hee would not discouer himselfe to any of his officers in this poore Plott. The boyes returned with this Message, which enraged the King.