Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/72

 any real Will, but by counterfeit conveyances: As for example, he made himself Heir to Denis (whose estate was near Liban,) and of John, the Son of Basil, the Governor of Edessa, whom Bellisarius delivered against his will in hostage to the Persians, as I have mentioned in my other Books. After he had been some time with the Persians, Cosroes would not discharge him with­out a ransome, pretending Bellisarius had not performed according to the Articles, upon which, the said John was given in pledge: Whereupon his Grandfather being then living, he treated for his redemption, and had pre­pared Two thousand livres of Silver, in order thereunto. The Emperor having advertisement, and that the Money was conveyed, and lay ready at Dara, would not suffer it to be paid, but ob­jected, That it was not to be permitted that the Barbarians should go away with so much Money of the Romans.; and whilest that was in controversie, John died of a disease of which he had been languishing a long time. When he was dead, the Governor of Dara (a Creature of the Emperors) counterfeited a writing from the said John, by which the Emperor was made Heir to all his estate, and assured the World it was his last Will and Testament: But besides these false Wills, and counterfeit Conveyances, it is scarce credible, how many people gave him their estates freely and bona fide. Before the Sedition broke out, by degrees he took away their whole estate from the Family of Victoria­tus, which was reported very rich: But when those