Robert C. Money, Journal of a tour in Persia, during the years 1824 & 1825 (1828)

Robert Money was an officer in the British East India Company's Civil Service. In 1824 he traveled, in the company of a British colonel, from Bushire to Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Tehran, Hamadan, Kermanshaw and Baghdad. He wrote numerous letters desciribing his experiences and encounters to his parents, who later transcribed them and published as "Journal of a tour in Persia, during the years 1824 & 1825" (London, 1828). Below is an excerpt from one such letter, written in early August 1824, when Money and his companions reached Shiraz.

We found the caravanserai a good one, with private rooms where the Prince retires when he comes to

shoot and hunt, and adjoining it a small fort where the villagers live, and large hummaums. We slept there on the terrace, and remained the next day. The thermometer, in the rooms, we found to be only 82 and 83 at twelve o'clock; and we have determined therefore on living there. 

We rode back to Shiraz in the evening. A curious scene took place on the top of the caravanserai during our dinner. Ibrahim Beg came with a most grave visage, and holding, or rather lugging by one ear a Georgian slave, begged [British] Colonel S. to receive him as a present; adding, that he had educated him and looked on him as his son, that he had been twenty years in his service, knew how to read and write, &c. &c. The poor fellow seemed to wish it. S. thanked him, but said he could not possibly accept the slave. 

In the evening Ibrahim came up again, and said, "Well, my heart is much lighter: I have given the man his liberation." The Georgian soon followed with a countenance expressive of great gratitude, begged the Colonel to put his seal with several other witnesses in the presence of his former master, and then said that he had three or four hundred rupees in ready cash, and one thousand sheep, all which he left to his master Ibrahim Beg. The Beg added, "What! you'll leave me then, and the two children you have brought up?" He said, " he loved his master, but home was dearer to him: that he would go and kiss his two children, and leaving every thing he possessed to his master would go to Georgia." 

[...] Many Georgian slaves have been begging for Ibrahim Beg's intercession with their masters, since they see he is so inclined. They say they will not quit their masters; but that it is very cruel that their children should, though their mothers are Persians and free, be liable to be sold and transferred to any master a capricious man may choose to give them.