Travels in India (Tavernier) 34.1.4

34.1.4

The report spread in many directions that Father Ephraim the Capuchin was in the hands of the Inquisition, and as there arrived daily at Surat many people from the Portuguese territories, we were among the first to receive this news, which astonished all the Franks who were there. He who was most surprised and most annoyed of all was Father Zenon the Capuchin, who had formerly been a companion of Father Ephraim; and after having consulted regarding the affair with his friends, he resolved to go to Goa at the risk of himself falling into the hands of the Inquisition. It was in truth to risk it; for after a man is shut up in the Inquisition, if any one has the hardihood to speak for him to the Inquisitor, or to any member of his Council, he is himself immediately placed in the Inquisition, and is regarded as more criminal than him for whom he wished to speak. Neither the Archbishop of Goa nor the Viceroy himself dare interpose, and these are the only two persons over whom the Inquisition has no power. But if it happens that they do anything which gives offence, the Inquisitor and his Council write to Portugal, and, if it be so ordered by the King and the Inquisitor-General, when the answers arrive, proceedings are taken against these dignitaries, and they are remanded to Portugal.