Translation / modern text
Kościan, 3 January 1698.
Most Illustrious and gracious Benefactor,
I write briefly, knowing that these few words interrupt your [more important?] concerns. I wish to be your servant [Latin passage uncertain], indeed the devoted executor of every command, and therefore confidently appeal to your protection. In Kraków I obtained a declaration from my benefactor, the hetman, concerning my poor leased estates: not exemption from hiberna, since it is wrong to refuse a burden we all bear, but protection from military quartering. I humbly beg you, dear Benefactor, to protect your client.
These estates are Mszana with Olszówka and their appurtenances in Kraków voivodeship; the Kościan starosty, held for life [legal formula uncertain]; two villages of the Płocowskie[?] nuns in my possession; and the very poor town of Swarzechowo[?], belonging to the Lubiń district.
In your matter concerning an assignment to our voivodeships, we are setting to work and will leave nothing untried in your service. Know also that the Contwistowie[?] do not desist, inspired by vain hopes; [passage partly unclear] they loudly proclaim their good fortune for next spring. The coming dietine will reveal their intentions. Meanwhile, to speak truly, [uncertain expression about hostility]. As for myself, being innocent, I fear no suspicion, and glory in being your affectionate and humble servant.
Gurowski [abbreviated office].
[Address:] To His Excellency Count Jabłonowski, voivode of Ruthenia, my most honoured patron, in Lviv.
Original wording — transcription
Jaśnie Wielmożny Mci Dobrodzieiu,
Krotko, wiedząc, że w te kilka słow rozerwę [altiores?] curas WMci mm Pana. Chcę bydź, nec prece [ampl…?] longa, sługa, ale mancipium każdego WMci Dobrodzieiu rozkazania, dlatego bespiecznie recurro do protekcyi iego. Miałem w Krakowie declaratią Jm Pana Hetmana Dobrodzieia mego, ratione ubogich Dzierżawek moich, nie ab onere hibernowego, bo recusare nefas, quam sortem patiamur omnes, ale respectu od consystencyi. Proszę uniżenie,
[s. 3] moy kochany Dobrodzieiu, protege clientem tuum. Dzierżawy te są Mszana z Olszowką, cum attinentiis, w Wodztwie Krakowskim. Kościańskie Starostwo, prawem ad curustem [?] żywotnie. Dwie Wioski Zakonnic Płocowskich [?] w posesyey moiey będące, y Miasteczko Swarzechowo [?], barzo ubogie, do Dystryktu Lubińskiego należące. W sprawie WMci mm Pana, ratione assignaty do Woiewodztw naszych, accingimus
[s. 4] operi, nec quidquam intentatum relinquemus, ku przysłużeniu się WMci Dobrodzieiowi. Sciendum ad haec, że Contwistowie [?], nam cessant, vana spe animati, ad dissipata mego plenis buccis declamuiąc fortunę swoię, na przyszłą wiosnę. Seymik przyszły pokaże, quid sibi velint. Interim, prawdę mowiąc, odium ne gravis [?], Ia zaś, iako innocuus, non apprehendo suspicionem, a tym glorior, żem iest WMci mm Pana Dobrodzieia Życzliwy y Uniżony Sługa
Gurowski [skrót urzędu]
w Kościanie 3 Jan: 1698.
[s. 5, adres:] A Son Excellence Monseigneur le Comte Jablonowski Palatin de Russie, mon tres-honoré Patron. à Leopol.
[s. 6: zewnętrzna notatka adresowa, częściowo nieczytelna; pieczęć.]
Reading notes
All pp. 1–6 examined: p. 1 cover; pp. 2–4 one letter; p. 5 French address; p. 6 external notation and seal, not another letter. Melchior comes from the cover; the signature gives only the surname. Jan Jabłonowski is identified through the address and description, not the salutation alone. The nuns’ name, town and group called Contwistowie are uncertain and not conjecturally expanded. Exemption from quartering is distinguished from hiberna, which the author does not refuse. Date legible.