They may both draw on greater favour and liberties unto them selves than they yet enjoy
"[Francis] Drake’s return to England in July 1586 led the Privy Council to write to the Turkey Company’s directors, asking how ‘the hundred Turks brought by Sir Francis Drake out of the West Indies (where they served as slaves in the Spanish galleys)’ might be ‘conveyed home and presented by the ambassador [Harborne] unto the Grand Seigneur, whereby their lordships are persuaded that they may both draw on greater favour and liberties unto them selves than they yet enjoy, and also procure the release of some of the captives of the English nation there’." (Jerry Brotton, This Orient Isle- Elizabethan England and the Islamic World)
What does the emphasized phrase mean here?
Top answer
The Privy Council (their lordships) want the Turkey Company to help them by taking 100 Turks who had been freed from Spanish enslavement back to Turkey and giving them to the English ambassador there. He will then present these 100 Turks to the Sultan (Grand Seigneur). The Privy Council believe (are persuaded) that two (both) benefits will come from this.
- The Privy Council (their lordships) want the Turkey Company to help them by taking 100 Turks who had been freed from Spanish enslavement back to Turkey and giving them to the English ambassador there.
- He will then present these 100 Turks to the Sultan (Grand Seigneur).
- The Privy Council believe (are persuaded) that two (both) benefits will come from this.
- One, the Turkish Company will attract (draw on unto themselves) more of (greater than they yet enjoy) the Sultan's good graces (favour) and freedom of action (liberties).
- Two, the Sultan might be moved to respond in kind.
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The Privy Council (their lordships) want the Turkey Company to help them by taking 100 Turks who had been freed from Spanish enslavement back to Turkey and giving them to the English ambassador there. He will then present these 100 Turks to the Sultan (Grand Seigneur). The Privy Council believe (are persuaded) that two (both) benefits will come from this. One, the Turkish Company will attract
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