The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c27.80

v1.c27.80

“The inhabitants of St. Thome”, says another letter, “fearing that the King might send an army to besiege them, deputed Fr. Rector, Nicolas Levanto, to go to the King and appease him with reasons and presents. The King on hearing of his arrival sent him a message inviting him, in case he had come to talk on the Fathers’ business; but if he had come to talk on the affairs of Maleapor (Mylapore) he would not listen, seeing that they had offered him such a great affront; nor would he receive their presents”. Nevertheless Venkata gradually relented; and being ‘naturally meek and benevolent’, after two months he sent for Fr. Levanto, who was received by the Sovereign with signs of great affection. Then the Rector of the college of St. Thome offered to the King all the presents he was carrying on behalf of the Portuguese, and obtained everything he had asked for, “even to remove that adigar or captain of the fort, placing in his stead another one according to the wishes of the Portuguese”. Such was the end of that unpleasant incident, which might easily have been the ruin of the city of St. Thome¹.