The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 22.6.7

22.6.7

that I reprehended him for presuming in any Case to giue my resolution: that my owne reply was, if there were any mony to be Payd to saue the life of two Children to those whom they had robbd, or to redeeme them from the law, both for respect to the kinges Command and for Charetye, I was ready to giue it; but I would not buy them as slaues, only pay their ransome and free them: that if hee pleased to know the kings pleasure that I might giue them liberty without offence, I was very willing to doe it. Asaph chan replyed I might at myne owne will dispose them: that it was an extraordinarye goodnes; with many prayses accepted the mony, desiring mee [to] send it to the Cuttwall and to vse my discretion to the boyes; not once offering to enforme the king, which was one end of my liberallitye. I, that was loath to be cosened, and knew not whither this might bee the Profitt of officers or no, resolued to pay the mony, but so as the king should not be ignorant I had more mercy then he, and that a Christian esteemed the life of a Moore aboue mony.