Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume I.djvu/261

249 BEQUESTS OF KING IIAYTON. 249 the Christians. Thirdly, that he would restore to the King of Armenia certain lands that had been taken from him by the Tartars. Fourthly, that the Khan would enter with him into an alliance offensive and defensive. Fifthly, that he would dispense the monks and other Christians living in the Tartar dominions from the payment of all taxes ; and strange as some of these requests may seem, the historian declares that they were favourably received by the Tartar emperor. " When Mangou had heard all these petitions of the king, he called together his nobles and councillors and deliberated upon the requests above named, and then gave audience to the king and the others who were with him, and spoke thus : — ' Forasmuch as this King of Armenia has come from a distant country to our Imperial Majesty, not constrained, nor called, nor sum- moned, but of his own proper good will, it becomes and is suitable to our Imperial Majesty, that we benignly grant his petitions, and especially as they are laudable and honest, and we accept them willingly, and by the aid of God will accomplish what we promise.' " The Armenian chronicler adds that the Tartar em- peror was faithful to his word, and even made haste to get himself baptized. " After that Mangou-Khan had granted and confirmed these privileges, he demanded the holy sacrament of baptism. Then was baptized Mangou-Khan with great joy, and with him all the people of his palace, and many other noble Tartars, both men and women, by the hand of the bishop, who was the chancellor of the King of Armenia, and who was made welcome with the king his lord. 1 ' *
 * "L'Hystoire Merveilleuse dii Grant Caan," feull. 14.