Source catalogue

News about the capture of Kraków by the Swedes; assurance of an alliance between the Cossacks, Muscovy, and the Swedes, and information about sending Mikołaj Grodzicki for talks.

An order for the immediate execution of the decision in favor of the Lwów burghers regarding the redemption of the third measure of the Zimna Woda mill and related properties. The King forbids further delaying the execution through appeals; the income is to be used to strengthen the city's defense.

Zygmunt III instructs the authorities of Lwów to hand over to Jakub Pretfic, the starosta of Trembowla, the quarterly funds collected at the town hall for the pay of the Lower Cossacks. He demands assistance in the swift dispatch and the provision of horses for the transport of the money to Trembowla.

The King thanks the authorities of Lwów for releasing the quarterly funds from the town hall to Jakub Pretficz, the starosta of Trembowla, for the payment of the earned wages to the Lower Cossacks. He instructs the chancellery to issue the city the requested security document, which the starosta had previously promised.

The King sends Jakub Pretficz, the starosta of Trembowla, to discuss urgent royal and Commonwealth matters with the authorities of Lwów. He instructs them to trust the envoy and comply with the King's will as conveyed by him. The content of the urgent matters is not disclosed in the letter.

The King supports the request of the Jews of Lwów to extend the expiring trade agreement with the city authorities. According to the information provided to him, the agreement does not harm the city's rights or revenues; he recommends its continuation and the allowance of trade on the existing terms.

The King wishes to prevent the prolongation of a contractual dispute between Awedyk and Jan Bernatowicz and Zachariasz Iwaszkowicz, Armenians of Lwów. He recommends that the authorities of Lwów select trustworthy individuals from among themselves to facilitate a lasting settlement. He stipulates that this must not interfere with the execution of royal judgments.

Renewed intervention against people assuming the status of soldiers and attacking noble and royal estates. The King orders the addressee to cooperate with Jerzy Mniszech; a previous demand to redress grievances and disperse the group was not fulfilled.

The King announces his arranged marriage to Konstancja, daughter of the late Archduke Karol, and invites the authorities of Lwów to send envoys to the ceremony planned for October 30. He asks for a display of devotion and joy for his prosperity.

Zygmunt III accuses the city authorities of hindering the settlement between the Jesuits and the Jews. The owners of the land that the Jews want to buy for the Jesuits are, according to the King, ready to sell it for appropriate payment, but the city's opposition blocks the agreement. The King again demands that the settlement be brought to fruition.

The King entrusts Piotr Ożga, the land judge of Lwów, to present ways to end the long-standing dispute between the Jesuits and the Jews. He calls on the authorities of Lwów to carry out the exchange of plots, discussed with their representatives in Kraków, without further delay.

Zygmunt III reminds that the authorities of Lwów themselves supported the establishment of the Jesuit college. He then accuses them of hindering the matter and inciting the mob. He sends delegates to remove obstacles and begin the foundation; he calls for cooperation under threat of royal disfavor.

The King calls on the authorities of Lwów to execute the arbitrators' decision regarding the foundation of the Jesuit college. He reminds them of the consent of the city representatives and his own approval of the settlement, demands an end to the delay, and presents the foundation as an ornament to the city.

The King recalls a previous mandate ordering the execution of the decree regarding the city and the Jesuits and a fair appraisal of the houses they need for construction for worship and the education of youth. Outraged by the delay, he demands immediate execution of the decree and warns against further action against the authorities of Lwów.

The King informs that Piekarski wounded him in the head at the entrance to the church, but there is no threat to his life. He orders the public announcement of this news so that hostile persons do not use the event to incite unrest.

Announcing his arrival with the pospolite ruszenie (levy in mass), the King sends quartermaster Stanisław Sulimierski to divide quarters in Lwów. He orders him to be assigned two sworn officials and a clerk and to forbid quartering and storing supplies without his knowledge.

The King assesses the townspeople's complaint against the authorities as insufficient for further conflict and recommends an agreement. At the same time, he writes to the office to observe privileges, judgments, settlements, and old customs.

The King reprimands Lwów for not sending representatives to the parliamentary commission setting prices. Arguments sent in writing should have been presented by delegates. Separately, he assures of the commissioners' supervision over the soldiers' behavior and orders the authorities to take care of the city's safety.

The King allocates the estate of a locksmith who died without heirs to the completion of the town hall tower. He requires the use of funds for the public good and an accounting before the commissioners.

The King orders cooperation in the demarcation of Zboiska and Grzybowice from Lwów's property after the tribunal referred the case for on-site proceedings.

The King expects an amicable resolution of disputes between Doctor Marcin Campian, a member of the Lwów authorities, and offices and private individuals. The parties are to jointly appoint honest townspeople who will lead to a settlement without violating the city's rights. The King also informs about a separate letter to the Archbishop of Lwów.

At the request of Uniate and non-Uniate Ruthenians, the King sets the general synod in Lwów for October 28, 1629. The city authorities are to ensure the safety of participants, prevent riots, cooperate with the royal envoy, and assist the Metropolitan of Kiev. They should designate quarters and places of stay for the clergy and other participants early.

The King considers the complaint of the townspeople of Lwów against lustration commissioners who, under the pretext of a new quarter, impose previously unknown burdens and duties towards the castle. He explains that the lustration applies to the estates of starostas and tenants, not municipal property and its income. He orders the removal of unlawful burdens or an explanation of the reasons for their imposition, recalling previous admonitions.

The King responds to a complaint from the burghers of Lwów regarding new obligations entered into the lustration. He orders that merchants and craftsmen not be burdened beyond the law and that such entries be removed, despite extracts having already been issued to the starosta.

The King authorizes the use of cash from the deposit of the Voivode of Kiev to cover missing funds for the army. The release requires security provided by commissioners and the consent of the Crown Subchamberlain as tutor; jewels and other items are to remain in the deposit.

The King instructs the starosta to provide timber from the starosty forests for the palisade and wooden supports. He demands effective assistance for the magistrate in collecting contributions for the fortification, including from residents of noble and ecclesiastical houses.

The city is to send representatives familiar with the value of foreign goods to Warsaw by May 27, 1643. They will support the parliamentary commission cooperating with the treasurers in setting prices.

The King condemns financing the ransom for the city with the estates of absent residents. He orders the cost to be distributed according to wealth and the return of goods to Mikołaj Boim; he reserves confiscation for the royal court.

The King criticizes the haste in proceedings against the Starosta of Łomża. He provides him with a safe-conduct and orders the dispatch of plenipotentiaries to Lublin to settle the debts and, upon their satisfaction, to issue a receipt.

The Dominicans bought a house next to the monastery and want to connect it to the monastery wall. The King demands the city's consent, arguing that voluntary permission will not violate its privileges.

Jan Kazimierz orders Piotr Ożga to instruct Icek, the excise tax lessee, to pay the outstanding sum to the Lwów magistrate. The original mentions nine thousand zlotys; a later copy and the cover mention ten thousand.

Jan Kazimierz orders Stanisław Lanckoroński to participate in the audit of expenditures from the excise tax for the fortifications of Lwów. He forbids sending municipal infantry to the pospolite ruszenie (levy in mass); it is to remain as the city's garrison.

The King thanks Lwów for its loyalty during the war, announces the gathering of loyal and foreign troops, and promises assistance. He instructs the authorities to coordinate with the governor the supply of regiments, especially Butler's, left for the winter; he ensures that expenses will be included in the treasury accounts.

The King instructs the authorities of Lwów and the elders of the Armenian nation to provide wagons and horses for the transport of three hundred left-behind lances to Lublin. Krzysztof Bernatowicz is to issue the appropriate pennants along with the weapons.

The King orders the Lwów magistrate to settle with Jan Torosowicz for uncollected dues and costs incurred by him, in accordance with the agreement of the Abbot of Wąchock, scribe of the Crown Treasury.

Jan Studnicki and Andrzej Zdelejzyk complain about imprisonment and sequestration despite an unexpired three-year lease of Lwów's revenues. The King orders their release, taking into account disasters and municipal exemptions, and to maintain the contract until the end of the term.

The King rebukes the delay in the delivery of artillery supplies and demands the preparation of carters in consultation with the captain left with the cannons in Lwów. The costs are to be covered by the General of Artillery; further delay will hold the addressees responsible.

The King again orders the authorities of Lwów to provide the necessary number of carters to transport the ammunition remaining in the city. The artillery captain is to pay in cash. The King threatens that further delay will be considered stubbornness on the part of the city and will result in execution against the persons and property of the authorities.

The King condemns the authorities of Lwów for failing to follow his advice and allowing murders and robberies to occur. He demands a strict investigation, the detention of all perpetrators and accomplices, and their imprisonment until the arrival of the commission. He emphasizes that it is forbidden to harm Jews and non-believers or to shed innocent blood, and anticipates punishing the guilty as an example to others.

Following the raids by Tatars and Cossacks, the King entrusts the defense of Lwów to Jan Berens, lieutenant colonel of the Ruthenian Voivode's regiment. He orders them to receive him with his soldiers, take an oath, provide assistance in defense, and issue funds from the czopowe tax for the needs of the garrison. Expenses are to be settled against the city's taxes.

The King informs about the conclusion of a marriage agreement with Archduchess Eleonora, the Emperor's sister. He announces her reception in Częstochowa in the last days of Shrovetide and celebrations in Warsaw on March 2. He expects the participation of representatives of Lwów in welcoming the future Queen.

The King accuses the authorities of Lwów of supporting persons harming customs revenues, driving away guards, and letting goods pass without clearance. He orders the prevention of abuses and the punishment of merchants acting under the protection of lords. He threatens proceedings by the Crown Instigator before the royal court.

Based on the report of the Crown Court Marshal, the administrator of customs, the King accuses the Lwów interpreter Mikołaj Bajdułowicz of harming customs revenues and inciting others. He demands his removal from office and the appointment of a successor; in case of delay, he will appoint a suitable person himself.

The Dominicans complain to the King about the cramped conditions of the church and monastery and the lack of a proper cemetery, forcing burials by the public street. They ask for the possibility of purchasing townhouses near the church. The King orders a commission to be sent to resolve the disputed legal issues and demands the city's assistance without hindering the monastic undertaking.

The King expresses regret over the unsuccessful negotiations intended to avert the threat from the Ruthenian lands. He announces the gathering of the pospolite ruszenie (levy in mass) and his own expedition. Until help arrives, he demands a courageous and vigilant defense from Lwów, also mentioning rapid infantry support.

The King reminds the magistrate of the subsidy enacted by the Sejm and assigned to Lwów by universal. The treasury has not received the due payment, so the King renews the demand for the immediate transfer of 12,000 Polish zlotys, noting that he cannot waive this sum.

The King demands that Jan Sobieski immediately garrison Lwów with an experienced commander and an appropriate force. The city's czopowe tax is to be used exclusively for ammunition and other defensive needs in accordance with the resolutions of the Senate and regional councils (sejmiki). Sobieski is to support such an allocation of funds also through cooperation with the Lwów land.

The King assures of his knowledge of Lwów's loyalty and his efforts against the enemy. He informs that he has ordered the Hetman to immediately assign an appropriate garrison and commander to the city and to ensure the allocation of the czopowe tax for fortifications. He announces his own arrival, dependent on the gathering of the pospolite ruszenie.

The King instructs Jabłonowski to stop two banners of the district expedition from beating residents, requisitioning food by robbery, making arbitrary assignments, and entering the city with horses. He allows the army to be supplied from surrounding estates due to military necessity.