a rich merchant, nicolau maria raposo do amaral, indicated his interest in acquiring the property of the jesuits, since he already maintained a fish salting business on the property and wanted to secure his property and chattelfrom constant theft. between 1765 and 1768, the college was repaired by master mason joão ferreira and carpenter josé martins. the lands and property encircling the college were eventually acquired by felícia tomásia pim da câmara, and nicolau maria raposo do amaral for 1,920$000 réis, excluding the college church in july 1787. one of nicolau maria raposo's first actions was to destroy the old cistern to make a water tank with bench, as his family occupied the property converting the jesuit retreat into personal household.