Source catalogue

The authorities of Przemyśl ask for transcripts from the Lwów books regarding royal resolutions in the dispute between the magistrate and the commoners: exemption from all contributions and an assessment of the community's charges against the magistrate. They are interested in records relating to the authority of the municipal office. They promise gratitude and later payment to the scribe for his work.

The Przemyśl magistrate accuses the Lwów authorities of hiring their municipal master (executioner) without a testimonium. According to the senders, he left without notifying the office, leaving behind his wife and children. They demand a refusal of employment and that he be sent back on the same cart with the same driver, as they have several prisoners. The letter does not describe their cases or sentences.

Poznań responds to the news received by mail from Lwów about Becal, whom the senders accuse of oppressing Christian merchants under the pretext of a new constitution. The letter expresses fear that similar actions will also affect Poznań. It announces the presentation of the matter to persons inclined to intervene so that it reaches the king and the Crown Treasurer.

Poznań expresses sympathy for the injury of the president and the entire Lwów magistrate, suffered according to the letter on January 5, 1738. It declares a joint defense of municipal rights and the sending of news to the chancellor and the royal court, asks for further information, and wishes the president a recovery. The original does not mention the perpetrators or the exact course of the event.

Ratno received from a Lwów messenger a royal universal ordering the transfer of a donation to Lwów by October 15. The authors state that the universal arrived on that very day, and they immediately, working day and night, sent the payment through their neighbor. They ask for a favorable reception and confirmation of receipt; they explain the delay by the late delivery of the universal, not by negligence.

The mayor and councilors of Rohatyn confirm receipt of the royal universal forwarded by the Lwów councilors regarding the donation. The preserved short fragment about money and its dispatch is difficult to read; the amount or stage of payment has not been determined with certainty.

The magistrate confirms receipt of the call for the donation enacted in Toruń and asks Lwów to intervene to exempt Rohatyn. It argues the decline of trade: it rhetorically asks about even one ox sold in Jarosław, a piece of cloth, or a sack of pepper; a small peddler was supposed to bring barely one stone of pepper. It also points to the burdens caused by the army.

The mayors and council of Świecie complain about the almost daily passage of soldiers and the announced arrival of dragoons numbering 90 horses, coming from Hungary for winter maintenance by order of the Inowrocław voivode. They refer to the news from the lessee and an earlier payment, the verb of which remains unread. They ask Jan Jabłonowski for help in the face of the city's impending ruin and the destitution of the inhabitants.

Świecie renews the complaint about the soldiers and states the city's losses at five hundred zlotys, and the president's at 58 zlotys 20 groszy in taken goods. It asks Jan Jabłonowski to lead to the consideration and deduction of losses when paying the army at the general Lwów commission. Separately, it asks for a receipt allowing to receive wood from the Świecie starosta's forest for a bridge threatened with destruction by ice after a hard winter; the lessee does not accept earlier receipts.

The authorities of Świecie ask their starosta for protection against the military execution of services, also dependent on the lessee's decision. They assure that they previously used his protection, apologize for an unspecified offense, and send representatives who are to explain the expenses, difficulties, and damages related to the dams, heads, and banks of the Vistula.

The Śniatyn office certifies the testimony of the bailiff about the public announcement of the king's confirmation of the Lwów right of staple at the Piotrków Sejm. It warns against bypassing the staple city and looking for another route. It anticipates the detention of the merchant along with oxen and other goods. The testimony was entered into the records and confirmed with a seal; it is not a report of a completed seizure of goods.

At the request of Krzysztof, a glazier and Lwów burgher acting as a proxy for the Lwów councilors and commoners, the bailiff's testimony about announcing the sub-starosta's order to arriving merchants was recorded. The announcement cites the royal mandate, the Crown constitution, and the universal regarding Lwów trade. It prohibits buying goods and oxen in violation of the regulations and bypassing the usual Lwów road, under penalty of confiscation of goods, half for the king and half for Lwów.

The magistrate of Stara Sól asks the President of Lwów to send an executioner to carry out a sentence on an unnamed convict. Piotr Staromiejski, the former mayor, is left in Lwów as a guarantor until the executioner returns. The letter assures payment, safety, and the health of the residents of Stara Sól and the Russian military posts. The planned arrival is to take place on Thursday, the execution on Saturday, and the return for the holidays; the letter does not confirm the realization of these intentions.

The councilors of Stryj certify that on April 9 they received a royal universal and a reminder from the Lwów magistrate regarding a donation of 100,000 zlotys. As a merchant city, Stryj is allocated 200 zlotys, which are to be sent to Lwów by May 15. They confirm announcing the obligation to the residents, but not its payment.

The Councilors of the city of Chełm inform the authorities of Lwów about the delivery of a treasury universal regarding the donative by a messenger and the payment of his due remuneration. Despite the poverty of the local population and the lack of wealthy merchants, they declare their willingness to comply with the royal orders.

The mayor and councilors of Jaworów ask the councilors of Lwów to send a ruling in an appeal case between Grzegorz Bobolowicz [spelling of the surname uncertain], the plaintiff, and Marek Woskobujnik, a cooper, the defendant — if the case has already been resolved.

The mayor and councilors of Jaworów certify receipt from the Lwów authorities of a royal universal from Warsaw, dated March 20, 1629, ordering the transfer of a local amount tentatively read as 500 zlotys for the donation. The total sum enacted by the Sejm for the Crown cities is 100,000 zlotys. The document does not certify that the payment was made.

The authorities of Jazłowiec certify complaints from Eastern merchants regarding the burdens imposed by Lwów translators. According to the merchants, the fees exceed the customs duties entered in the register, and the inspection is repeated. The Jazłowiec magistrate asks the Lwów authorities to stop the abuses, arguing that they also harm the city itself, and confirms the letter with a seal and signatures.

In the records of the Jarosław bench court, a bailiff's report was recorded regarding the announcement at the four corners of the market square of an order to bring goods via regular routes to Lwów and to respect the staple right. The order was announced during a fair at the request of the Lwów authorities, with the authorization of the Crown estates and Mikołaj Herburt of Fulsztyn. It provides for the detention of persons bypassing the law and the seizure of their goods.

The mayor and councilors of Jarosław ask the Lwów council to announce to merchants that the upcoming Jarosław fair will take place at the usual time. They refer to the will and authority of the Marshal and Grand Crown Hetman and their benefactress, and encourage them to arrive with goods without fear of hostile actions. This is an assurance and invitation from the senders, not a confirmation of the fair's progress.

The authorities of Jarosław respond to a letter from Lwów regarding merchant attendance at the fair. They inform that on that day they instructed the bailiff to announce during the market an invitation for safe arrival, without fear of extraordinary extortions. They refer to the promised protection of the Marshal and Grand Crown Hetman and offer New Year's greetings.

Jarosław responds to Lwów's request by sending an executioner. It demands his quick return after the execution, with a certificate and on a good wagon. A Lwów burgher remains in Jarosław as a guarantee of return.

The author refutes allegations regarding his conduct toward the townspeople and cites the freedoms promised to them. He writes about credit, debt, collateral, and attempts by some members of the magistrate to violate statutory rights. He points to pledged property and protests against its sale or further encumbrance.

Józef Bem demands that the President of Lwów pay the outstanding two hundred zlotys for the lodging provided to Captain Rożnowski under a municipal contract. He also warns that he can no longer host the officer and asks for a new residence to be assigned to him.

The prior acknowledges the obligation to appear before the assessor's court, but asks for the case to be resolved by the city council court to avoid costs. He wants commissioners appointed to view documents concerning the monastery's lands. Due to a recent urgent departure, he asks for a week to return, exemption from assessor deadlines, and consent for further construction until an amicable resolution, with the buildings to go to whoever is awarded the land.

The author responds to the Lwów magistrate's request regarding a matter he calls just, and writes about reaching mutual satisfaction. He assures of his favor toward the city and hopes for reciprocation. The key phrase defining the procedure, perhaps with the participation of syndics, requires re-reading; the letter does not indicate that a settlement has been concluded.

The author notifies the magistrate that a complaint has been filed before the Crown Tribunal in Lublin against the Lwów city authorities in connection with the imprisonment of a person of noble status. He claims that incarceration in a prison intended for thieves violates noble status and announces further legal steps; he asks for a response. These are the allegations of the letter's author, not a confirmed court finding.

The author presents grievances resulting from a dispute with the Lwów magistrate and asks the vice-senior to use his influence to settle the matter. He mentions actions against him in Warsaw and Lwów and paradoxically describes his status as both a councilor and a juror, as well as a person deprived of these functions. He asks for a clear response from the magistrate and the addressee, announcing that little time remains to make a decision. If the case goes to court, he reserves the importance of this letter. A later cover links the dispute to Secretary Czechowicz; the text of the letter itself does not allow for a certain determination of his role here.

Benedykt Bernatowicz justifies his absence before the mayor and councilors of Lwów due to illness, promising to present private letters in defense of his good reputation upon his recovery. Fearing that confidential correspondence might be entrusted to intermediaries, he refrains from sending the documents immediately.

The Marquis de Béthune certifies that Jerzy Livault is the brother of the late Captain Klaudiusz and asks Lwów to release the entire inheritance to him, wherever it may be. The letter does not confirm the fulfillment of this request.

Rector Biegaczewicz sends Professor Podhajecki to the Lwów magistrate as a candidate for syndic, in response to the city's request. He recommends his qualifications and expects appropriate treatment and remuneration.

Bieliński recommends to the Lviv magistrate a doctor named Matheim [spelling uncertain], who has served well in his house. The recommended person is establishing a property in the city; the author promises gratitude for the support.

Father Bełkowski reports to the royal secretary Franchi on a conversation with the archbishop concerning the dispute with the magistrate. He informs him that the hierarch has postponed his planned departure and invites the addressee to a meeting before dinner in order to settle the matter amicably.

Brzeski responds to the fear of detaining Lviv merchants in connection with the Kamieniec case. He assures the safety of the Lviv citizens; he requires the customary reporting in the city. He mentions a future royal decree.

De Birckholtz explains to Jabłonowski that the money was intended for the hussars and pancerni. Fulfilling the request of the Włodzimierz starosta threatens the dissatisfaction of other companies; the author makes the help dependent on the inflow of funds.

Józef Błazowski recommends Fr. Marcin Welimski for the vacant mansionary at St. Mary's after the resignation of Fr. Petranski, a Lviv vicar. The appointment remains at the discretion of the magistrate.

Błazowski thanks the President of Lviv for the wishes. He recommends the execution of the decree and universals, allows for turning to the treasurer, and in case of resistance, mentions coercion against the owners. He announces his arrival in Lviv.

Błazowski discusses the cases of Michał Dobroski [?] and Kowaliński. He proposes using the Toruń statute against persons considered vagrants, uses the metaphor of a bird in a cage, and points to the deterrent purpose of detention. He declares his arrival after Laetare Sunday.

Bobowski intercedes for the widow Iliniczowa, who lacks tax receipts for her tenement house. He fears the city's claims against the captain and his subsequent recourse against her. The author invokes the special consideration due to widows and orphans.

Bogusławski describes the proceedings before the Tribunal and asks the Lwów scribe for documents and a power of attorney. He points out the importance of the original decree and warns against the consequences of neglecting the defense.

J. Bogucki requests the President of Lwów to definitively finalize the matter of Mrs. Rypczyna's jewelry pledge. He demands that an oath be taken from the opposing party, that his due remuneration be paid, and that a mutual receipt be entered into the city records.