Belts, debtors and a confidential plan to recover a mint

Warsaw, 3 May 1685. Yesterday I received the letter of 26 April. Following it, I spoke with Saskiewicz today. He agrees to accept all the belts and pay for them with the Robercet and Kilams in Lublin, except those dressed with silver and gold: no entreaty will persuade him to keep these. I mean the silver and gold belts sent from Kraków; he keeps all the others. I leave them with him for now pending further orders, as I cannot find a suitable buyer here. He promises to settle his obligation if possible. I again said he must make no exception in this matter, because you urgently need money for payments here; this debt is the principal reason I remain so long. I also spoke with Thomas Cuming today: he now genuinely promises to pay part, and if possible [uncertain description] the whole, next week. Mr Thodoriewicz promises payment as soon as possible. As your letter instructed, I explained the matter to Wast, who promises his best efforts. I have received the Kraków Jewish merchants’ debts except 900 florins expected next week. I wish to dispatch the goods and leave as soon as possible. I am instructed to give the Swedish king’s resident in Courland what he returned in Kraków [object not clearly specified]. Today he sent for me, asking for an additional advance. In confidence he said he intends to recover the mint from the new mint-master and retain it himself. He has been offered a quantity of silver cheaper than in Vilnius. I replied that what I had been ordered to deliver is ready for collection; if I recover all debts here, I could also advance about half a thousand [figure and Kraków notation uncertain]. He is to write to Robert about this. There is no news here; the Sejm is expected to end next week. Great consultations concern the voivode of Malbork, who died last night [the author’s news]. The silk is still unsold, and I doubt I shall sell it here. I send my duty and respects, commending you and your affairs to Almighty God. Alex. Huison. Postscript: I doubt Gardin will pay. In need, I repeatedly asked for help with a smaller or larger sum, but receive only false promises and postponement to the last moment.

Warsaw d.3 May A°1685. Sir, yours of d.26 april yesterday I received, and conforme thereto this day I did speak with Saskiewicz. He condescends to accep all the belts and for till mak satisfactione for them with the Robercet et Kilams in Lubline; save onlie these drest with silver and gold, I cannot by no intreatie persuade him for till keep. I say these with the silver & gold which was sent him from Cracow; all the rest he keeps. I let them yet remaine by him till I have your further orders, for here I can find no right m[er]chant for them. What concerneth to his obligation, he promiseth if possible to make satisfactione. I did shew him againe that of that in the least he must mak no exceptione, for that you ar greatlie necessitat of money at present for till pay out heir and that this account is the maine reason of I remain so long here. This day also I did confer with Thomas Cuming; now he promiseth effectuallie till give off a part, if possible the [niepewne określenie] of the same; he promiseth if possible for till give it off the next week. Mr Thodoriewicz promiseth payment so soone as possible; according unto your ltr I did shew Mr Wast, he promiseth to doe his endeavour rendering your desyre therein. What comes from the Cracow Jews I have received them, except but f900 which I am for till receive in the next week. I wold willinglie that I could dispatc[h] anie goods and my self from heir so soone as possible. I have orders till give the King of Sweden his Resident in Corland[e] those which he returned bak againe in Cracow; but this day he send for mee intreating if I could not advance him aught or more [niepewne słowa]. For he shew me as in a Secret that he minds for till receive the minitz bak againe from this new minitz Mr and keep it him self; so he shew me that they offer unto him a quantatie of silver which he can have cheper as in Vilnus. So I did shew him that what I had orders till is in redines if he pleases till cause receiv it, and that also if that I could procure in all the debts heir I might advance him about ½m [kwota niepewna] Crac[ow]. So he is for till wret unto Mr Robert fornent the same. No news wee have heir; they expect that the Parliament will end the next week. Great consultatione for the voywod of Malborg who died the by past night. The silk as yet is unsold and doubt if I get it sold heir. My dutie and best respects being remembred unto you, with your affaires I commit unto God Almightie and rests Sir your humble and affectioned servant Alex. Huison. P.S. Of Mr Gardin I doubt if he mak satisfactione. I have sundrie times in need desyred the help of some money less or more, but I have nothing but fals promises and a put till the last.