From the diary of Samuel Pepys (1663-1703)
This morning, before I went to the office there came to me Mr. Young and Whistler, Flaggmakers, and with mighty earnestness did present me with and press me to take a box, wherein I could not guess there was less then 100l in gold. But I do wholly refuse it, and did not at last take it---the truth is, not thinking them safe men to receive such a gratuity from nor knowing any considerable courtesy that ever I did do them---but desirous to keep myself free from their reports and to have it in my power to say I had refused their offer. -- Pepys' Diary, 5 Feb. 1667