200 CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA, ETC. which was, according to Chinese custom, a piece of silk stuff. She afterwards dismissed them with honour, but without their having obtained any positive answer as to the principal object of their journey, namely, the con- version of the Mongol princes. They were even charged with a letter to King Louis, in which the Khan * de- manded that he should send an annual tribute in gold and silver, and threatening, in case of refusal, that he should be put to the sword, as he, the Khan, had done many other kings, and destroyed them and their people. Here is the letter as reported by Joinville : — " A good thing is peace ; for in a land of peace those who go on four feet peaceably eat the grass, and those who go on two cultivate the ground, whence they peaceably obtain the fruits ; and thus we say to you to warn you, for you cannot have peace if you do not get it from us ; and as for such and such kings (naming many), we have put them all to the sword. Therefore we command you to send us so much of your gold and silver every year, and then you may keep us as friends ; and if you do not do so, we will destroy you and your people, as we have done those whom we have named." This menacing letter is quite in the customary style of the horde of Kara-Koroum, and quite in accordance with that still maintained by the Chinese. St. Louis sends an ambassador, — therefore he acknowledges him- self tributary ; his presents are a token of his submis- sion to the Tartars. This has always been the mode of reasoning adopted at the court of the Son of Heaven; and the Mongols certainly employed no other.
- Probably a prince associated temporarily with Ogoul in the
regency.
