Privilege of King Sigismund III Vasa regulating wine duties for Lwów

Sigismund, by the grace of God, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia, etc., and also hereditary King of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals. We hereby announce to all and sundry whom it may concern: It has been submitted to us on behalf of the councilors of our city of Lwów that, from time immemorial, by uninterrupted custom, with the benevolence usually bestowed upon an emporium that is the foundation of kingdoms, they have received the right to collect a certain income from all vessels [barrels] of wine of any kind brought [?] into their city for storage, to cover the hardships and official matters, namely: sixty-two and a half groszy per vessel for imported Greek wine and Malmsey, eleven groszy for Hungarian, ten groszy and sixty [?] for Dalmatian and Moravian, and for others according to the quality of those barrels and the type of wine, and they were accustomed to collect half of this sum from each vessel by the privilege and decree of our predecessors; seeing, however, that these councilors are being shortchanged in these dues due to changing times and various evasions, they petitioned us at the current Sejm of the Kingdom, as well as through certain of our advisors, that we might wish to approve this fee of the city according to the old custom and manner for the maintenance of the office or support, and to approve it with the authority of more significant persons and the city, as well as our royal benevolence, and to bring it to a certain, fixed, and perpetual order. We, therefore, graciously acceding to their request and having special regard for the loyalty and devotion of the city and the zeal in managing public affairs of the magistrate of the same city of Lwów, have recognized the aforementioned due from fees, collected generally from the burghers by the councilors, as valid and in accordance with law and justice, and we have confirmed it, and by this our letter we approve and confirm it. However, so that nothing of this established fee is denied and that they may bear the burdens of the city all the more willingly, equating this in a just manner with the special privilege of our city of Kraków, about which we have received a credible report, we decide and order that henceforth in the same city of Lwów it be observed: that what has hitherto [...] been customarily brought by sellers according to old custom only from wagons [...] for their private accounts, having calculated a certain amount of money, as written above, omitting half of the part, let them now observe this both from the barrels themselves, from which they will retail by the tap, and from the whole [barrels] which they will sell for their own profit; above all, from ready money from storage or shipment, mixed from each centner with the old fee [...] according to the current moderation and our royal permission, they shall be obliged to pay and settle, namely: sixty-four groszy for whole barrels of imported Greek wine and Malmsey, and twenty-four groszy for Hungarian, Dalmatian, Moravian, and any other (excluding only [...] Lwów wine, which was always free), and they shall not be obliged to add further halves of vessels and pots. Nevertheless, we order and command the Lwów burghers, to whom we have confirmed this our grant by this privilege, to always act justly in the above-mentioned retail of spirits, and to order and ensure compliance under penalty of ten marks to the King for negligence by a councilor and fourteen marks from a burgher for an offense against such a provision, aiming at the preservation of the above-described laws in all respects. We wish to make this known to all whom it concerns, and we strictly command our Lwów burghers not to act otherwise and that no one dare to act against this our privilege, wishing that these provisions remain for the aid of the city for all time. In witness whereof, we have ordered this letter, signed with our own hand, to be affixed with the seal of our Kingdom. Given in Warsaw at the General Sejm of the Kingdom, on the eighteenth day of the month of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven, of our reign in Poland the tenth, and in Sweden the fourth. In the presence of [...] Andrzej of Słupca, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Bishop of Kraków, Bernard Maciejowski of Łuck, Wawrzyniec Gembicki of Przemyśl, Piotr Tylicki of Chełmno, Paweł Wołucki of Kamieniec, bishops; Janusz, Prince of Ostrog, Castellan of Kraków, Wojciech [...] of Lublin, of Kamieniec, Mikołaj Firlej of Dąbrowica, of Kraków New Town [?], of Kazimierz, Hieronim Gostomski of Leżenice, of Poznań, of Sandomierz, of Środa, of Czersk, Krzysztof Radziwiłł, Prince of Biržai and Dubingiai, Voivode of Vilnius, Grand Hetman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, [...], Jerzy Mniszech of Wielkie Kończyce, of Sandomierz, of Lwów, of Sambor, Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł, Prince of Ołyka and Nieśwież, Voivode of Trakai, of Šiauliai [?], Olbracht Łaski of Sieradz, of Malbork, Stanisław [...] of Trakai and Płock, Andrzej Firlej of Leszno, of Bełz, of Częstochowa, Konstanty, Prince of Ostrog, of Tykocin, [...], Marshal of Poland, of Włocławek, Jan Siemieński of Siemie, of Podolia, [...], Hieronim Parys of Masovia, Wojciech Wachanowski of Łęczyca, Janusz, Prince of Zbarazh, of Bracław, of Krzemieniec, Mikołaj Działyński of Chełmno, of Bratiańsk, Ludwik Mortęski of Pomerania, [...], Andrzej [...] of Kiev, voivodes and starostas; Stanisław Żółkiewski of Żółkiew, of Lwów, of Huszów, of Kałusz, Stanisław Dębowski [...], of Sieradz, Piotr Niszczycki of Bełz, Jan Leśniowolski of [...] of Łowicz, [...], of Poznań, Stanisław Krasowski [...], Mikołaj Radziwiłł of Samogitia, of Smolensk, [...], starostas; Mikołaj Zebrzydowski of Zebrzydowice, Grand Marshal of the Crown, of Kraków General, of Lanckorona, of Bolesław, Jan Zamoyski of Zamość, Grand Chancellor of the Crown and Grand Hetman of Poland, of Malbork, of Medyka, [...], Lew Sapieha, Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, of Słonim, of Mogilev, Andrzej Zborowski, Starosta of Kraków, Władysław Tarnowski of Kraków, Gabriel Woyna, Referendary of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, of Krasnystaw, of Drohiczyn, Jan Firlej of Dąbrowica, Sword-bearer of the Crown, Dymitr Chalecki of Chalcza, Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania [...], Grand Treasurer and our starostas; Wawrzyniec Gembicki, Grand Secretary of the Crown, Gabriel Golisiński, Canon of Włocławek, Jan [...] Starosta of [...], referendaries of the court of the Kingdom; Wojciech Strochowski, Canon of Kraków, Hieronim Wołłowicz [...], [...] Woyna [...] Starosta of Drohiczyn, scribes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania; our Szymon Rudnicki, Marcin Szyszkowski, Canons of Kraków and our secretaries, and other dignitaries and officials. Sigismund King [On the fold on the right:] Jan Królikowski [autograph] [Seal: on a multicolored silk cord, pressed in red wax in a natural wax bowl, the royal seal of Sigismund III with the coat of arms of the Republic and the Vasa Sheaf] [Verso:] [18th c.:] Privilege of Sigismund III for granting a supplement to the fee per vessel of Greek wine, Malmsey, Hungarian, Moravian, etc. 1597 [In another hand:] Year 1597 [...] Kraków tax [On the left in red and black inscription:] Rubric three / Letter C. No. 15. / D. C. 15. [At the top and in the center archival signatures:] No. 629 / Fascicle 216 / 49 Series 629 / Den. 9 No. 32

Sigismundus Dei gratia Rex Poloniae, magnus Dux Lithuaniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniaeque etc. nec non Suecorum, Gotthorum, Vandalorumque haereditarius Rex. Significamus praesentibus literis nostris quorum interest universis et singulis. Expositum esse nobis nomine consulum Civitatis nostrae Leopoliensis, eos a Maioribus suis antiquitus continua consuetudine ea comitate qua erga fundamentum Regnorum Emporium, id accipisse, ut a quibusvis vasis vini cuiuscunque generis, qua [?] vecti in sua civitate ad deponendum veherentur, certum prouentum propter sustentandas officij sui curas et functiones, habeant, nempe a vectico G[ra]eco et Malvatico vasa sexaginta duos grossos cum dimidio, ab Ungarico grossos undecim, a Dalmatico et Moravico grossos decem sexaginta, et ab aliis secundum eorundem doliorum ad aquationis vini qualitatem, de scorsim adimidiam illam tam a quolibet vase rationem indultu et constitutione praedecessorum nostrorum percipiendi dari solitum, quam prouentionem videntes iidem Consules se dae tempestates variis summum ingenio, et actibus suis numeo circumveniri, supplicarunt nobis in praesenti Conventu Regni, prout certos consiliarios nostros, ut pensionem eiusmodi civitatis illae more et usu antiquo comprobarent in usum officij sustentationem seu consolationem cum aliquo praecipuorundo et civitatis authoritate et clementia nostra Regia, approbare, et ad certum, stabilem, perpetuumq[ue] ordinem deducere dignaremur. Nos itaq[ue] supplicacioni eorum benigne annuere singulariterque respectum habentes fidelitatis et observantiae civitatis ad ministranda sedulitatis publicarumq[ue] curarum Magistratus civitatis eiusdem Leopoliensis, primum notionem illam pensionum, a civibus domo generatim per Consules exigendam ratam intra et iuri aequitatique consentaneam, approbavimus et confirmavimus, praesentibusq[ue] nostris approbamus et confirmamus. Ne tamen eis quicquam de ista pensione decoctae recusetur, onerag[ue] civitatis tanto alacrius sufferant, ad aequantes hoc bene pacto speciali Privilegio civitatis nostrae Cracoviensis, de quo fide dignorum relationem accepimus. Sic deinceps observandum in eadem Civitate Leopoliensi, ordinamus et statuimus, ut quod hactenus fues[?] una quavis vendentes a brigis tantum paginationibus exaequo quasdam e more antiquo conferre solebant, facultatibus ad eorum privatas rationes numerata certa ne supraescriptum est pecunia, et data eis omissa parte dimidia, id iam caveant tam ab ipsis doliis qua per ductilium portis propinabunt, quam etiam ab integris qua ad suum commodum vendent, primo omnium e clavis missionis aut depositoris parata pecunia mixta a quolibet centen[ario] cum veteri pensione estimationem alimate praesente moderationem et concessionem nostram Regiam, pendere et solvere teneantur, singulasticis hoc est ab integris vectico Graeco et Malvatico vini doliis per grossos sexaginta quatuor, ab Ungarico vero Dalmatico Moravico et quovis alio (derogatis tantum a mortis Leopoliens[is] quod fuit semper liberum excepto) per grossos viginti quatuor, et amplius addendas vasa dimidias ollas nec adstringantur. Verumtamen cives tam nostram concessionem, approbavimus scilicet Leopolienses huiusmodi Privilegio ad id minus obligatos in volumus et rogamus, ut praefatis suis bibiomii propinationibus tam praevia iuste semper maneant, et constituant, mandentq[ue] et constituendo procurent, sub pana decem Marcarum Regi pro consulem negligenter, et quatuordecim Marcarum civi furti tali constitutioni certam exercere ad finem iuribus praescriptorum cautioribus finandis in omnibus huiusmodi applicanda. Quod omnibus quorum interest, notum fieri volumus, civibus autem nostris Leopoliens[ibus] altero ne facient et ne contra hoc Privilegium nostrum quiquam audeat serio praecipimus, rataq[ue] in auxilium tempora illa civitatis durare volumus. In cuius rei fidem praesentes manu nostra subscriptas Sigillo Regni nostro cum signari iussimus. Datum Varsaviae in Conventu Regni generali die decima octava Mensis Martij Anno Domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Nonagesimo Septimo, Regnorum nostrorum Poloniae Decimo, Sueciae Quarto. Praesentibus [...] Andrea de Słupca S. R. Ecclesiae Cardinale Episcopo Cracoviensi, Bernardo Macieiowski Luceoriensi, Laurentio Gemblicki Premisliensi, Petro Tyliczki Culmensi, Paulo Volucki Camenecensi, Episcopis; Ianussio Duce Ostrogio Castellanis Cracoviensi, Adalbertoaski Lublinensi, Camicenensi, Nicolao Firley de Dambrowicza Cracoviensi nova civitat[e] Creczov[iensi], Casimiriense, Hieronymo Gostomski de Lezennice Posnaniensi, Sandomiriensi, Sredensi, Czerscing[ensi], Christophoro Radzivil Duce in Birze et Dubinki Vilnensi, Magno Duce Lithuaniae Supremo exercituum Generali, Silensi, Borisoviensi, Koriethouicensi, Borisouien[si], Georgio Mniszek de Magna Konczyce Sandomiriensi, Leopoliensi, Samboriensi, Nicolao Christophoro Radzivil Duce in Olyka et Nieswiesz Trocesi, Schaulensi[?], Alberto a Lasko Syradiensi, Mariaeburgensi, Stanislao Almski Trocensi et Plocensi, Andrea Firleio de Lesno Belzensi, Czeustoch[owiensi], Constantino Duce Ostrogia Tykocien[si], Tonav[iensi], Polono Marescalco Vladislaviensi, Ioanne Siemienski a Siemio Podoliae, Krodlen[si], Gzostinen[si], Hieronymo Parysz Masoviae, Alberto Wachanowski Lanci[ensi], Ianussio Duce Cbarasiae Braclaviensi, Crezmenecen[si], Nicolao Dzialinski Culmensi, Brathianensi, Ludovico Mortęski Pomeraniae, Karszinensi, Andrea Tarnissa Kivien[si], Palatinis et Capitaneis; Stanislao Zolkeuuiski a Zolkiew Leopoliensi, Huszowien[si], Calusiensi, Stanislao Dybouuski Sanciensi, Syradiensi, Petro Nisziczki Belsensi, Ioanne Zlesnovolski de Zebrz[?] Loviciensi, Brancensi, Posnaniensi, Stanislao Krassowski Pololacensi[?], Nicolao Radzivonice Samogitiae, Smolenscen[si], Tomysznin[?], Dergating[ensi], [...] Capitaneis; Nicolao Zebrzidowski de Zebrzidowicze Supremo Regni Marescalco Cracoviensi generali, Lanckoronensi, Boleslaviensi, Ioanne Zamoyski de Zamoscie Supremo Regni Cancellario et exercituum generali Poloni, Mariaeburgensi, Medycensi, Tenyszyn[?], Dergating[ensi], Leoni Sapieha Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae Cancellario, Slonimensi, Mohiloviensi, Andreae Zborowski Capitaneo Cracoviensi, Vladislao Tarnowski Cracoviensi, Gabriele Woina Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae Referendario, Krasnostaviensi, Drohicinensi, Joanne Firley de Dambrowicza Regni Ensifero, Demetrio Chalecki de Chalcze Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae Thesaurario Mobilloviensi, Ineburgensi Supremo Thesaurario et Capitaneis nostris; Laurentio Gembicki Secretario et Regni maiori, Gabriele Golesinski Vladislaviensi Canonico, Joanne Foma a Droborini Capitaneo Busemshie, curiae Regni Referendarijs; Alberto Strochowski Canonico Cracoviensi, Hieronymo Wolovicz Silnacen[si] nostrarum Rerum Illustrium a dolsceniq[ue] Praefecto, Maria Woina Samensiu[?] Drohicinensi Capitaneo, Notariis Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae; nostris Simone Rudniczki, Martino Szyszkowski Canonicis Cracoviensibus et Secretariis nostris et aliis dignitatibus et officialibus. Sigismundus Rex [Na plice po prawej:] Ioan[nes] Krolikowski [m.p.] [Pieczęć: na jedwabnym, wielobarwnym sznurze wyciśnięta w czerwonym wosku w misce z wosku naturalnego pieczęć koronna Zygmunta III z herbem Rzeczypospolitej i Snopkiem Wazów] [Verso:] [XVIII w.:] Privilegium Sigismundi 3tii Concessione de suppletione Stipendii a vase vini Graeci Malvatici et Ungarici et Moravici etc. 1597 [Inną ręką:] Ao 1597 P[...][taxe] krakowskich [Po lewej czerwoną i czarną inskrypcją:] Rubrica Tertia / Litt. C. Nro 15. / D. C. 15. [U góry i pośrodku sygnatury archiwalne:] Nro 629 / Fasc. 216 / 49 Ser 629 / Den. 9 Nro 32