Source catalogue

Gordon declares a payment of 500, further repayment as promised, and orders red damask and fabrics for the fair in Sokal.

Gordonowa sets 16 April 1692 as the date for her husband’s creditors to collect the remaining goods and documents recording debts owed to him. She asks Forbes to come or send an authorised representative.

Elżbieta Gordonowa complains of pressure from her husband’s creditors. She says she has surrendered even jewellery given to her and asks Forbes to leave her enough to support herself and her children.

Gregory asks for his handwritten document to be sent to Mr Forbes in connection with plans to leave for Gdańsk and promises payment. He explains his delay by unrecoverable debts and cites Bell and Thomson as witnesses.

Gruszewicz asks Forbes to select a fine sable, offering 160 or more. He promises gratitude and to return the favour. The date differs from the cover.

Katarzyna Gruszewiczowa invites Forbes and his household to her daughter Katarzyna’s wedding, scheduled for Sunday 24 February 1686, promising to return their kindness.

Huison reports partial payments, a dispute over belt prices and silk sales. He also mentions proceedings against the treasurer and corrects a rumour about the Pomeranian voivode’s death.

Huison reports terms with Saskiewicz and further payment promises. He mentions a confidential plan to recover a mint, connected with an offer of silver; personal identities and figures remain uncertain.

Huison arranges a journey with an unnamed senior and Forbes. He invites Forbes for the 28th of the month, offering lodging and room for horses and a vehicle.

Huison confirms payment of 5905 and 20 grosz Bm to Knab. He describes delayed settlements, belt-price negotiations and a shortage of coin, adding Sejm and court news.

Huison describes difficulty collecting debts, the low price of silk and stalled Sejm business. He passes on a report from Dutch news of the Duke of York’s proclamation as king.

High water delays Huison’s journey. He asks for goods to be sold even at a lower price, pursues debts from Wolff Hirschel, Janaś and Ber Smul, and considers settlements through Wrocław and the Naumburg fair.

Unable to collect payment on time, Huison considers going to the Naumburg fair. He asks for his remaining goods to be sold even more cheaply and complains about his idle servant George Lindsay.

Huison reports packing taffeta for the king on his own wagon with his own merchandise. He plans to travel to Tarnów and notes expensive, scarce trimmings and a lack of news.

Saskiewicz refuses payment before the Tribunal and wants to return belts. Huison arranges money for Gdańsk, discusses goods prices and seeks replies from the marshal, treasurer and quartermaster.

Huison negotiates acceptance of goods and repayment by Warsaw debtors. He describes defective textiles, refusals and promises of payment, remaining in the city to collect money before travelling.

Huison reports difficulty recovering debts, competition among silk merchants and the election of a marshal. He also mentions efforts to obtain a court document concerning Simervall.

Huison reports on collecting debts and a bill of exchange for Gdańsk. He notes one debtor’s full payment and comments on the delayed end of the Sejm because of private interests.

Huison confirms Seidell’s payment, the payment to Knab and money from the elder Saskiewicz. The younger debtor postpones payment until the Sejm ends. The author discusses belt prices and difficulty selling silk.

Huison thanks Forbes for a recommendation enabling credit purchases. He plans to trade at small fairs, describes goods sent to Kraków, and complains about a horse costing 22 [currency uncertain].

Huison still awaits money, negotiates Saskiewicz’s acceptance of belts and asks Forbes to press him directly. He discusses Cuming’s payments, money for Gdańsk and the quartermaster’s promise to pay.

Huison refuses credit to a customer reputed to pay poorly. He reminds Ber Smul of a promise to pay 400 [currency unstated] and requests goods for the Krosno fair.

The merchant asks Forbes to send fabric and broad silver trimmings for an interested noblewoman. He permits the sale of his own goods below the listed price to obtain cash.

Huison describes Saskiewicz’s refusal to pay, money sent to Gdańsk and efforts to collect a regimental debt. He also conveys news from Toruń of a lead-laden barge sinking beneath a bridge.

A letter in German addressed to Arthur Forbes. Only isolated elements of the text are legible, and its contents cannot be translated reliably. The date and place were not read. The year 1691 is probable based on the unit cover, but is not legible with certainty on the letter sheet.

The second letter in the unit, in German, is addressed to Arthur Forbes. The date at the top of the sheet is tentatively read as 26 June 1691. The surviving text is more extensive, but damage, fading, and difficult handwriting prevent a reliable reading of most sentences. The signature may include the name Christoph.

The letter names Robert and Arthur Forbes and combines commercial correspondence with a list of quantities and amounts. References to bales, numbered entries, and several figures are visible; some goods and the links between amounts remain uncertain. Page 25 is a folded leaf with an address.

Sommer writes about a received message and a matter of accounting or debt, and mentions an expected explanation. Some words and details remain uncertain.

Sommer replies to Forbes’s earlier message, mentions an item sent or expected, and asks for further information. Details of the correspondence are partly illegible.

Sommer responds to news, refers to a matter pursued in connection with Forbes, and asks for further information. Details of the business and some people are uncertain.

Sommer reports news about a matter and refers to people and earlier arrangements. The text is partly damaged and does not allow all details to be reconstructed with confidence.

The sender addresses Arthur Forbes about an account, mentions Robert Forbes and money due, and refers to earlier correspondence. The writer asks that the matter be considered and answered. Illegible passages prevent the details of the account and relationships between the named people from being established.

The next letter to Arthur Forbes discusses money due, accounts, and its transfer, with references to several amounts and people connected with the account. The dateline on p. 10 may read “Wostanowicz(?) day 8 7bris”; the place and year require verification. The address sheet names Arthur Forbes as a merchant in Scotland.

The writer addresses Forbes concerning an obligation or settlement. The text mentions the Crown Tribunal in Lublin and includes a request about further proceedings. The details and precise course of the matter cannot be confidently reconstructed.

The writer addresses Forbes concerning a debt or amount due, mentions promised payment and goods/accounting connected with beer, and asks that the matter be settled. Details and amounts are uncertain.

The writer follows up on a sum expected from Captain Barclay, refers to a previous letter, and asks whether payment can be expected. The year and parts of the text are unclear.

The writer refers to a promise or note involving another person and asks whether money should be lent or advanced. The amount and some names are not reliably legible.

The writer asks Arthur Forbes to obtain information from Captain Alexander Barclay and forward a letter. He also refers to efforts to obtain payment, though details are hard to read.

The writer describes a planned meeting, division of jointly held goods (the reading “wine” is tentative), and a loss after advancing his own money. The terms of the venture and some place names are illegible.

A short letter to Arthur Forbes; the surviving text mentions correspondence and possibly a loan, but does not establish the subject with confidence.

The writer says he has sent Captain Barclay’s letter and wants to know whether a sum will be paid. He also mentions delivering a letter and an amount of money, but the wording is damaged and partly illegible.

A partly legible, distinct letter from Jarosław dated 13 December 1691 to Arthur Forbes in Moscow. It discusses commercial and accounting matters, but details cannot be reconstructed reliably.

A partly legible letter from Jarosław dated 9 November 1685 to Arthur Forbes in Moscow. It conveys commercial news and arrangements, probably concerning goods and an account; details remain uncertain.

A partly legible letter from Jarosław dated 12 December 1691 to Arthur Forbes in Moscow. It contains commercial correspondence and account information whose details cannot be fully read.

A two-page account statement with entries and amounts; individual items and some totals are difficult to read.

A partly legible letter from Jarosław dated 11 November 1685 to Arthur Forbes in Moscow. It concerns commercial correspondence, deliveries, or accounts, though specific details are uncertain.

A partly legible two-page letter from Jarosław to Arthur Forbes in Moscow concerning accounts and deliveries. The dateline appears to give 12 December 1685, but its reading is not fully certain.

A partly legible letter from Jarosław dated 5 November 1685 to Arthur Forbes in Moscow. Commercial correspondence is visible, but the substantive details cannot be reconstructed reliably.

The writer discusses commercial matters and mentions Johann Taylor and accounts. Transaction details and the signature are difficult to read.

The letter concerns accounts involving Johann Taylor; the figure 700 is visible, but its currency and context cannot be established. The signature and other details are partly illegible.