Liberty, I should certainly obtain it; and what he spake was upon good Grounds. He had formerly given me some blind Hopes, that I might procure their Release if I set my self about it: But, I gave little heed to this Suggestion; for not being certain of a Peace, how could I attempt such a Thing? Besides, I was afraid, lest my Interposition might hinder the Success of Salviatus's Negotiation: But he was gone, and Ebrahim, whom I had so much obliged, persisted in the same Opinion. I began to hearken to him; but told him, he should have a Care he did not engage me, who was his Friend, in a ridiculous Business; for, without doubt, I should be laugh'd at, if I did not succeed in it, the Matter being thought difficult to be compared in common Opinion, and Salviatus having attempted it in vain; yet he advised me to proceed therein, and amused me with the Assurance of good Success.
Upon this Encouragement, I wrote to de Sande, how fruitless Salviatus's Embassy had been, yet I advised him not to despair; for, if any Credit were at all to be given to a Turk, there was good hope of his Affairs; and then I related what Ebrahim had told me.
Having laid this Foundation, I advised with some Friends who were well skill'd in Turkish Affairs. They wish'd me all good Success, but were very doubtful of it; especially since the King of France's Ambassador had been denied, and the Issue of a Peace was yet undetermined; and moreover, as the Turks are hardly ever induced to release great Men; yet I wrote to my Master the Emperor, to let him know what Hopes I had, and desired that I might, in his Name, beg the Release of those Prisoners. In short, upon great Gifts, and fair Promises made to the Bashaws, for their Favour in this Case; the Day before St. Laurence's Day, all the
