mindes of the Chinians (being, as I sayd, of their
owne nature, a people estranged from the traffique
and acquaintance of other nations, and alwayes being
too suspicious of strangers) that they should exhibit
letters of supplication vnto the Caien and the Tutan
their principall Magistrates, to haue the fathers expelled
out of Xauquin: which Magistrates repairing vnto
their foresayed house and Church entered consultation
how they might bannish them out of the sayd City of
Xauquin: in which thing verily they vsed great
moderation, not any way offending or exasperating
the mindes of the fathers, but onely signifying that
they had regard vnto the estate of their Common-wealth.
For the Tutan or Vice-roy calling the fathers vnto
him, and (to let passe other accidents) vsing courteous
and familiar conference with them, declared by many
arguments, that their habitation in the City of Xauquin
was not conuenient, especially sithens so many Magistrates
resorted vnto that City, who would take great offence
at the presence of strangers. For the which cause
he perswaded them to accept some part of the money
which they had bestowed in the building of their house,
and so to returne either home into their own countrey,
or vnto the port of Macao. Howbeit, such was the
instant supplication of the fathers, and so woorthy
of compassion, that the Tutan or Vice-roy, in the
extreame and mediterrane borders of the prouince of
Coantum, assigned vnto them a new habitation at the
city called Xaucheo, commending them also to a certaine
Magistrate, who was come from the same place to salute
him. Thither therefore the sayd others, not without
great sorrow and griefe of the Christians, hied themselues,
and as we are informed by their last letters, they
haue euen now layed the foundation of their first
building, and haue also written that they are like
to liue much more peaceably and conueniently for the
propagating of Christian religion. These be the
first beginnings of Christianity in China, where, euen
as in other places of the Christian Common-wealth,
the seed is to be sowen with great labour and teares,
that acceptable fruits may be reaped with gladnesse.
Leo. It is euen as you haue sayd (Michael)
and nowe for this your pleasant and eloquent discourse
we do acknowledge our selues much bounden vnto you.
* * * * *
A Letter written from Goa, the principall City of
all the East Indies, by
one Thomas Steuens an English man, and
sent to his father, M. Thomas
Steuens: Anno 1579.
After most humble commendations: These shall be to crave your dayly blessing, with like commendations vnto my mother; and withall, to certifie you of my being: according to your will and my duety. I wrote vnto you taking my iourney from Italy to Portugall, which letters I thinke are come to your hands, so that presuming therupon, I thinke I haue the lesse need at this time to tell you the cause of my departing, which nevertheless in one word I may conclude, if


