Translation / modern text
Esteemed sir and respected friend!
I reply to two letters and inform you that I have learnt the state of the redemption of things and goods pledged with a Jew, from the register you sent me and [...] letters. Since I see that the pledged things and goods greatly exceed the price of [...] florins [uncertain syntax], I withheld my reply until I found a friend to redeem them in my name. Mr Claudius Henniet [?] has undertaken this task; I have authorised him in the matter [...]. Please assist him in acting; you will please me by doing so.
To the same Mr Claudius, in accordance with your letter, I paid thirteen hundred florins, as he himself will explain orally. Please return the stated sum to him on my behalf [the following passage mentioning Altmann is uncertain; his role in the account has not been established]. Although you will hear Mr [...] I cannot remit anything, since he himself is responsible for the great loss I suffer. Had he returned the goods immediately when requested, I would not have paid interest for so many months or had a lawsuit. If in the dispute [...] let him blame himself. [...] [Incomplete sentence about amicably settling the dispute.]
I wish you good health and commend my services.
Warsaw, 21 January 1646.
Ready to serve and your friend, [...] Guttinius.
[Address:] Maciej Hayder, Lviv councillor, in Lviv.
Original wording — transcription
Spectabilis D[omi]ne et amice observ[andissi]me.
Binis litteris [...] respondeo et significo [...] me [...] intellexisse quantum occurrat in negotio eximendarum rerum et mercium apud Judaeum oppignoratarum ex regestro ad me per [...] transmisso atque ex [...] litteris [...]. Verum quoniam video res et merces oppignoratas longe excedere pretium taxatorum [odczyt niepewny] florenorum [...] respondendo [...] supersedi donec aliquem amicum reperirem qui illas meo nomine eximeret. Quod onus cum in se susceperit D. Claudius Henniet [nazwisko niepewne], illi [...] facultatem [...] concessi, cui velim ut [...] auxilietur in actus: rem mihi gratam faciet [...]. Eidem D. Claudio iuxta litteras D[ominationis] V[estrae] persolvi florenos mille trecentos prout ipse referet oretenus. Dignabitur [...] illi meo nomine dictam summam restituere [fragment niepewny: ... Dno Altmann]. Quamquam audiet D[omi]num [...] [...] possum quicquam remittere cum ipse sit in causa tanti damni quod patior, nam si statim requisitus merces illas restituisset, per tot menses usuras non persolvissem nec litem habuissem; si in lite aliquid [...] sibi imputet. Dabo [...] nisi amicabiliter [...] litem componere. Ceterum [...] bene valere cupio cuius [...] mea officia commendo. Varsaviae 21 Januarii 1646.
Ad officia paratissimus et amicus [...] Guttinius.
[Adres s. 11:] Memu wielce Mciwemu Panu y Przyjacielowi [...] Panu Maciejowi Hayderowi Rajcy Lwowskiemu we Lwowie.
Reading notes
Pages 9–11 inspected: letter, closing and address. Date 21 January 1646. An enlarged image of page 9 confirms mille trecentos (1,300), not 1,500. Persolvi means that the author says he paid Claudius; it is not merely a promise to pay. The following illi is taken to refer to Claudius, but the passage mentioning Altmann remains uncertain; the unsupported earlier identification of Altmann as the repayment recipient has been removed. Henniet requires checking. The Jewish pledge-holder is indicated by apud Judaeum in the text; no name is given. Responsibility for interest and litigation is the author’s allegation, not a judicial finding.