[We are indebted to Dr Lee Lai Wan Maria for this translation and the explanatory comments]
In ancient time, Mencius stated that to reach highest honour, one has to achieve three knighthoods, one state of the teeth, and one state of virtuousness.
to achieve the knighthood.
The officials in the court and political parties are like the teeth [in Chinese proverb, the relation of the teeth and the lips signifies the interdependency of each other]
To help the ruler and be a brother to the popular is virtuous
It is most difficult to accomplish and possess all three together.
Now, we have an honoured royal Duke from overseas in the west.
This gentleman Mei Nar Lin Lo Senna Fei Lan Di [Direct translation of Bernardino Senna Fernandes]
When we check his ancestral lineage, he was born in the West, in the land of Ho-kang [the old name for Macau].
His achievement and honour are most high and significant, he is most intelligent, courageous, brave, dependable, careful, thoughtful.
He was not only famous in his own country,
And is also highly valued by the neighbouring countries
First he was in the military, then he was promoted to be the ambassador, then he was honoured as the highest royal court official.
he was knighted as a baron
then he was promoted as a viscount
he was further knighted as a Count
He was deeply favored by the emperor for a long time
Last year when there was chaos in Macau, he devoted himself to solve the conflicts and turned the state into a safe place
Both merchants and citizens loved him, he was also very virtuous and generously helped people with kind acts of charity
His acts of charity never ceased and continued for over seventy years. This is what we traditionally honour as biggest wealth, and he will enjoy longevity!
All the respectable gentlemen of Macau were so grateful and can never forget his grace and virtues
Respectfully we write these to honour him.