Translation / modern text
Sir. Although I know how occupied Your Excellency is, I nevertheless flatter myself that [beginning of sentence uncertain] concerning the two letters which I had the honour of writing to him. This letter may find a more favourable and convenient moment; I ask Your Excellency kindly to show me this goodwill [the following syntax is uncertain]. I believe I must return to my original claims, since I have received nothing either from the Prussian Treasury or from Mr [surname illegible]. [Continuation:] [Uncertain surname] was in that case to pay me on 1 November 1696. His willingness has come to nothing; I am less troubled that he has not satisfied me than I am distressed that he failed to do something Your Excellency had attested to me and broke his word. As for me, I shall never fail in the feelings of attachment I have pledged to Your Excellency; I shall always be seen, on every occasion, proving the genuine devotion with which I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most humble and obedient servant, the Marquis d’Arquian. Warsaw, 21 November 1697. [Address:] To the voivode of Volhynia, in Lviv.
Original wording — transcription
Monsieur. Quoyque je sache toute l’occupation de Votre Excellence, cependant je me flatte qu’il ne m’a pas été permis [lecture incertaine] aux deux lettres que je me suis donné l’honneur de luy escrire. Celle-cy pourra trouver quelque moment plus heureux et plus commode, suppliant V.E. de vouloir bien me marquer cette franchise [passage de syntaxe incertaine]. […] je crois devoir rentrer dans mes premières prétentions, puisque je n’ay rien trouvé du Trésor de Prusse, ny de Monsieur de [nom illisible].
[Suite, p. 3:] [Nom ou mot initial incertain] qui en ce cas devoit me payer le premier de Novembre 96. […] La complaisance est devenue nulle, et j’ay moins de peine qu’il ne m’a pas satisfait que de ce que je suis très fâché qu’il aye manqué à une chose que V.E. m’avoit attestée et luy a manqué de parole. Pour moy, je ne manqueray jamais aux sentimens d’attachement que j’ay voués à V.E. et on me verra toujours en toutes occasions prouver la passion véritable avec laquelle je suis, Monsieur, de V.E. le très humble et très obéissant serviteur, Le Marquis d’Arquian. A Varsovie ce 21 Novembre 1697.
[Adresse:] Monsieur le Palatin de Volhynie, à Leopole.
Reading notes
P. 1 is the cover; pp. 4–5 are the envelope and its verso, not a separate letter. The date is legible on p. 3. Several words, including the debtor’s surname, are illegible; nothing has been supplied by conjecture. French spelling has been lightly normalized.
