Kajetan Młodecki's letter of thanks to the Lviv magistrate for supporting his candidacy for the provostship

[P. 2] Most Noble and Distinguished Gentlemen, Most Respected Lords and Patrons! It is hard not to admit that it happened thanks to the special grace and kindness of Your Lordships, my Lords and Benefactors, that the jealous hope of many applicants for the dignity of the provostship of the local metropolitan church gave way to one – and that it was my person, is a matter of even greater admiration. Who would have expected such effusive kindness from the Illustrious Magistrate? And that I, presenting myself in this place for the first time, that is, in the council chamber, would dare to stand where, perhaps only thanks to a long sequence of merits, constant practice [P. 3] and a deeper familiarity with the respect for Your Lordships, my Benefactors, it was barely appropriate for the abilities of a veteran to sit. I know well that this dignity, due to more capable persons, is full of countless envy, slippery in taking steps, difficult to exercise, and the memory of it [remains] for posterity through its works, whereby in case of neglect, it is subject to infinite judgment before God and men. It would be enough happiness for me not so much to hold the office, as to be considered by others worthy of it, were it not for the fact that I am encouraged by this reflection, [P. 4] that whatever happens, happens by the will of God; that I, in my time, will be nothing else but a faithful steward of my office for the fulfillment of the holy dispositions of Your Lordships, my Benefactors; and that the noble assembly will wish, for its own honor, to cultivate in my person that honor of votes chosen from among thousands. Accepting, therefore, with humble thanks the votes favorable to my person for this prelacy in the event of a vacancy, I ask for their beneficial entry into the council books, [P. 5] with a confession of eternal gratitude and respect. Of Your Most Noble and Distinguished Lordships the most humble servant Kajetan of Młodecin Młodecki, canon of the Lviv archcathedral, infulatus [...], by his own hand. Given in Lviv, on the 17th of May, 1758.

[S. 2] Prænobiles & Spectabiles Domini, D[omi]ni. & Patroni Observandissimi. Trudno nie przyznać, że to szczegulney łaski y dobroci WW. WW[mośći]om Panów y Dobrodziejów moich stetit favore, iż multorum o Præposituralną Metro- polii tuteyszey Kościoła Godność, spes invidio- sa Procorum, uni cessit: a że Osobie moiey tym z większym podziwieniem. Ktożby się spodziewał, tam effusam Przeswiet- nego Magistratu benevolentiam? a żebym pier- wszy raz na tym mieyscu, to iest in Stuba Con- sulari prezentuiącysię, tam śmiał zaraz sta- nąć, gdzie chyba longo meritorum, continuæ praxis [S. 3] y głębszey w respektach WW. Ww[mośći]mm Panów Dobrodziejów znaiomości usu, Veterana ledwo zasiadka go- dziło się capacitati. Wiem dobrze, że ta godność zdatnieyszym na- leżąca subjectom, nie zliczkoney pełna inwidiy, ślizka w kroku, trudna w exekucyi; a pamią- tka ex suis operibus Potomności, zkąd in casu Omissionis, nieskończoney u Boga y Ludzi podlega censurze. Dosyć by mi było szczęścia, non tam fungi Magistratu, quam Eo dignum ab Alijs ju- dicari: gdyby mnie ta nie animowała re- [S. 4] -flexya; że quid quid fit: DEI nutu fit. Żeto Ja swego czasu nic innego nie będę, tylko na Zbieranie Swię- tobliwych WW. WW[mośći]m[o]m Panow Dobrodziejow dyspozycyi Fidelis Oficij mei Administer: Że takiż Calculi Gloriam Selectorum ex mil- libus Zacne Zgromadzenie, pro Honore pro- prio w Osobie moiey piastować zechce, Gdy tedy obeymuię z Uniżonym podzięko- waniem, łaskawe na Osobę moię, in Casu Vacantiæ, tey Prełatury Vota, o dobroczyn- ną annotacyą onych! in Actis Consulari- bus [S. 5] bus upraszam, z Wyznaniem æviternæ gratitudinis et Venerationis; Prænobilium et Spectabilium Dominat[ionum] Vestrarum Servus Obsequentissimus Cajetanus de Młodecin Młodecki Can[onicus] Archi Cath[edralis] Leop[oliensis] Infulatus Co[...] mpp Datt: Leopoli die! 17. Maii 1758. Anno.