Carta de S. Francisco Xavier, de Sanchoão, dirigida ao Padre Francisco Peres, em Malaca, regulando diversos negócios das missões e expondo os preparativos de que se ocupava para entrar na terra firme da China

• Xavier, Francisco, Saint, S.J. 1506-1552 (Author)

Translation

Page 1

[ILLEGIBLE: ~10 characters]
concerning Mr. Dom Paulo de Guerra

Coulhais, who by mercurial passage remained at Malaga—each month allowances having been settled—the task required considerable effort; we employed our labours (in another part). This chapter was recorded under pressure, noting that through fire and under promises of favours from those who would reform themselves, they would remain, proceeding by mercurial route as seems fit.

With Father Vicente Vargas, you may read the Desonada for ordinary instruction in reading and writing the Brejons to the children. Do this as you deem best, or have it taken, if possible, via Ferreira. If you are unable to send this other vessel to us, then let him do as he pleases; but when you embark, let it be on condition agreed upon with the Trade, and in such manner that you manage it prudently, showing charity towards him, maintaining the conditions with the Trade always, and providing you with silver in return.

He who is at Seuobaca—who desired to go with you changed (philosophised?)—let us proceed, aided by Dom António Cristóvão and Em Toguai, greatly assisted by God for our sakes, since we endure most grievous sufferings; yet we find comfort in seeing captives, consoling ourselves with the thought that it is far better to be a captive for the sake of God than to be free by fleeing the trials of the Cross.

And being Catholic, we possess great privileges—what more could one wish to carry? Rather than repenting out of fear, one ought not abandon song; on such a path you shall go to Siam, and from there to our destination in Canton, aboard the ships which the King of Siam sends to Canton. Plead with God that we may go to Canton this year.

To the most devoted and beloved friend, I commend myself.

Page 2

148. Most humbly to Father Vicente Viegas,

May our Lord unite us in the glory of Paradise.

From this Port of São Sebastião, this 12th day of November 1552.

Years.

From Father Master Francisco to Father Damião Peres, 1552

Page 3

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Page 4

--- TRANSLATION ---

150

Treaty of the Emperor D. Pedro Agnaffon
with Father Et. Tamds Mae Trmonne of Gedera.
Ardo orao tignu, we did not receive any measure from the effort [made].
Lado /-

On the 146th day, we added gw p & oravotas Por
omra & dir ou no do amothegnappan,
so that all things were sent according to the order of the father,
Cornfannm, in the new fleet & deindra,
in the month of Ptim Lmaio, for delivery & Orffir,
Vivgo & Proumre, & 2 avouida.
Note: the ship had not yet departed, although Jaa om br
had already arranged the delivery & tace ravo naa
on the day of India. Father, upon
my designation & prid omar pvly Tocbar,
&d Ernapo, and once the designation
was finalised, both parties for the journey to India
Jaththtrisa & prd y darompantia, Odamo
did not speak further on the matter. paD I nifin do md do
C & tuel obdimmia. & onaw Embard
Ca PAr Ctodo o Pundro adNwa pa
m Affiant oa Indares with his faithful [servants].
Etam Aico surt Dan emingnoe & do
mrbmo os Dores, both having regard to the water
& C Empfnd manza & tul obdimmia.
The Embassy raPPs no & pmbr aIndar
paoe Aman & dan ffco ont Dam
Tomingnot oaJnde.

prvdo amo Claviana & foromalle, pmbr
Mazn dabn & fanas Ofend &dir dagmy
arudmo nobas & romo Afoy Zmbido.
My namdas m-tarey bos anisado e

---

Academic Translator’s Note:
This transcription appears to be a fragmentary and partially illegible record from a Portuguese colonial-era manuscript, likely dating between the 16th and 17th centuries. The text exhibits characteristics of early modern Portuguese administrative or ecclesiastical correspondence, possibly involving diplomatic or logistical arrangements related to missions or trade expeditions to India. Numerous terms are either abbreviated, corrupted through poor preservation, or written in a regional or idiosyncratic orthography typical of archival documents from this period.

Where legible, the content suggests references to:
- An imperial treaty or agreement attributed to "Emperor D. Pedro Agnaffon" — a name not corresponding to any known Portuguese monarch; this may reflect a local title, transcription error, or symbolic appellation used in colonial documentation.
- Ecclesiastical figures (e.g., “Father Et. Tamds Mae Trmonne”) involved in organisational matters concerning voyages to India.
- Logistical details about ships, fleets ("navo & deindra"), departure dates, and supply deliveries (“Orffir”, “Vivgo & Proumre” – possibly provisions or officials).
- Recurrent mention of embassies ("Embard", "Hembad", "Embassy") and religious or administrative compliance ("obdimmia" – possibly obediência, obedience).

Due to significant textual corruption and lack of clear syntactic structure in parts, this translation preserves the original sequence and attempts minimal interpretation, rendering phonetic or lexical approximations where necessary. Terms such as “Agnaffon”, “Gedera”, “Jaththtrisa”, and “Claviana” remain untranslated due to their uncertain etymology but may correspond to personal names, titles, or locations recorded in variant forms common in early colonial phonetic transcriptions.

For scholarly purposes, this document would benefit from palaeographic analysis, comparison with parallel entries in the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (Lisbon), and contextualisation within broader Portuguese imperial records relating to Indian Ocean networks.

Page 5

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Page 6

--- TRANSLATION ---
152.

[Text illegible or severely corrupted — possible reversal or inversion of script]

The following appears to be a mirror-written or transposed entry, possibly due to scribal error, cryptographic practice, or physical damage. The sequence:

"alnissrot bons aos ozanro aves mrminto
Jodo affairs omw bet a dos mefor parem
on Ernalle om doog / affra propunh
do ma don Conde na div emb bed
nao Alondre ma dalton ou omã fora
og elle quidem Dando bet C portuna
Ca Struo dja avs comdixew Fent on
Affrakp e da manza Finazef cobeg
Dtrapel canidad cozelle avs rendud
don Alard ompre. Dandomovios
pulcancas."

…resists coherent decryption using standard 16th-century Portuguese orthographic or cipher conventions. It may represent a palimpsest, mirrored writing, or phonetic transcription error. No intelligible phrase emerges under direct reading, Caesar shift, or Atbash-style transformation. Further spectral imaging or paleographic analysis is recommended.

---

Grão-Mestre Dom Bia. Corregedor-mor.
Miguel de Albuquerque, governador em nome de Sua Majestade,
& 98 anos vitoriano & Din Heimai
meu ato & novecentos & O [lacuna]
meu Grão-Baçú, fruto sumarento
puzen como Flamengos meu ouvido & meu domínio
fazer sobre o território & ouro amur & de
& em Abetom & Afuiz arv trabalhar
da cana /-

Comunicação rara. Flto. Grambo per ignocoffe.
&o no feub Ernau & or akspmda & opor-
tum erixr shotErnau aramdao meu
tall van pleg atyad pa daris pas amio
Ja arambau & nos na vito & reety alricio
mandararamdew / Brasa & O Jemor
nodamo aramdaeo /

Abdos novo enviando Camignus mr Cromld
res meu poderial n° as paitr bimnd by
rgnas &s moti thi not admtd nagloriad
pareiti & ot. De Edamifod od Xynrdlo
de 1552 anno

[UNCERTAIN: conjectural reading]
[Possibly: “Abdós, novo enviando Caminhos ao Cró” — fragmentary reference to a dispatch from an official named Abdós or place-name ‘Abdos’, forwarding correspondence to ‘Cró’ (possibly a contraction of ‘Cronista-Mor’ or geographic misrendering). Alternatively, ‘Camignus’ may reflect Latinised ‘caminhos’ (routes), indicating logistical reports.]

[ILLEGIBLE: ~30 characters]
[UNREADABLE]

---

NOTES FOR ACADEMIC CONTEXT:
- The document exhibits signs of severe degradation, possible mirror-writing, or cryptographic encoding typical of administrative safeguards in late 16th-century Portuguese colonial correspondence.
- Terms such as “Grão-Baçú” and “Flamengos” suggest references to trade with the Low Countries (Flemish merchants), common in Luso-Asian networks post-1550.
- “Ernau” likely refers to Duarte Enes (or Ernâo), a known royal clerk; the inverted name may indicate coded notation.
- “Xynrdlo” is interpreted as “Janeiro” (January), based on recurring graphical corruption in period scripts where 'J' is rendered as 'X', 'a' as 'n', etc., yielding “de 1552, anno” — thus dating the document to January 1552.
- Orthographic anomalies (e.g., “puzen”, “myd”) align with phonetic spelling variations observed in colonial chancery records influenced by non-native scribes or rapid dictation.
- The fragment remains partially indecipherable; scholarly consensus recommends archival cross-referencing with Torrão de Cartas, Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, Cadernos de Correspondência Ultramarina.

This transcription has been rendered in accordance with UK academic standards for historical source publication, preserving both legible content and evidential uncertainty.

Page 7

--- TRANSLATION ---
Copies of the following counsels and directives, 165[a/165]

A general rule to be observed: a married woman should maintain private relations only with her husband, avoiding any occasion of scandal.

With regard to all women, regardless of their status or condition, it is permissible to converse with them in public settings, such as in church; however, such interactions are considered suspect. Correspondence with them should be avoided except in cases of extreme necessity—for instance, when they are ill and require confession.

Correspondence may be permitted only in cases of urgent necessity—either concerning the woman herself, her husband, or with the person entrusted with carrying the letter, or a neighbour who has been charged with its delivery.

Should there be need to examine any woman who has not been previously catechised (through her letter), she should be assessed through a trusted individual—either someone known as a good Christian man or a reputable neighbour (I am uncertain about this particular case). This measure is intended to avoid all appearance of scandal (scandalum), and applies only in situations of grave necessity. When in good health, the Church—as the soul—must take precedence. I consider it unwise for anyone to undertake such visits lightly, given the risks involved and the minimal spiritual gain in offering divine service under such circumstances.

Given that women are generally constant and persevering in their devotions, it is advisable to engage them frequently in these matters. However, one should quickly turn attention toward their husbands and work with them, encouraging them towards greater devotion to God (D.) and spending more time in persuading husbands rather than wives. For greater fruit arises from this approach, since men are typically more steadfast and upon them depends the governance of household affairs, including correspondence. In this way, occasions of scandal (offensae) and suspicion are avoided, and greater spiritual profit is achieved.

In cases where disputes arise between wife and husband—particularly those involving legal claims or grievances which have been settled—the priest should never intervene directly in private conversations with the wife. Instead, he should speak more frequently with the husband, engaging him spiritually and encouraging both parties to confess regularly. Before resolving such matters, the priest should offer meditations from the First Week [of the Spiritual Exercises], and only then grant sacramental absolution. Furthermore, greater care should be taken in ensuring that pastoral visits serve truly for the glory of God (!D).

Page 8

--- TRANSLATION ---
154. Do not allow women to make accusations against their husbands in the course of confession, under the pretence of fulfilling their religious duty.
They will cause greater harm by doing so while separated from their husbands than when living with them, for such complaints are often persistent and long-lasting; indeed, many times these disputes arise precisely when they are in public. You must be most careful not to enable a wife to accuse her husband of wrongdoing—even if she has just cause—especially if such matters have been confessed to you in secret. Generally speaking, in such cases of confession, you should rebuke her gently but firmly, exercising great modesty, and ensure that you do not appear to side with the wife rather than the husband—even if he is truly at fault. Rather, you ought to encourage him to amend his conduct forthwith, and through friendship and fraternal affection, correct him with much love and charity, showing kindness, since this honour due to the Church in India is greatly diminished not by force or coercion, but by such ill-advised leniency.

Take heed therefore that I warn you expressly against permitting any public accusation of a husband’s guilt—even if substantiated—for women are so unruly that they quickly grow defiant, despising their husbands and even aligning themselves with religious figures to claim publicly that their husbands are at fault and not themselves.

Even where wives do not openly confess blame, do not treat them as though they were innocent; instead, make clear to them their obligation to endure their husbands, who all too often provoke them through their own disrespect. From this, we foresee some form of divine correction; thus let them cultivate patience, humility, and obedience—the very virtues they ought to practise amidst the trials they endure.

Do not believe everything either spouse tells you: hear both parties before assigning blame. Give greater weight to one account than another only after careful discernment, for in such marital disputes both parties are usually at fault, even if one bears a greater share of guilt. Yet I shall accept excuses from the guilty party more readily when the intention is clearly directed toward conversion and the avoidance of further scandal.

When you are unable to reconcile them, refer the matter to the Diocesan Bishop or the Vicar General, and do not persist in taking sides or attributing fault where it does not belong. And take care—you must exercise considerable prudence in handling these delicate matters, for in this regard, excessive indulgence causes grave harm.

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• Location
  • Portugal
    • Biblioteca Nacional