 Initially, on 17 May 1863, Tsar Alexander II ruled that "those who chose to emigrate" should pay their own way.Later, the Russians offered financial incentives for vessels to take the Circassians to Ottoman ports, but forced the Circassians themselves to pay part.In some cases, Circassians were forced to sell their cattle or their belongings to pay, in others, one of every thirty Circassians was sold into slavery to pay.