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Letter #3866

Ioannes DANTISCUS to [Samuel MACIEJOWSKI]
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1539-03-04

English register:

Dantiscus is embarrassed at the effusiveness of [Samuel] Maciejowski’s thanks for his modest New Year’s gift, as he continues to consider himself his debtor. He thanks him heartily for his efforts and intercession with the King [Sigismund I Jagiellon] and Queen [Bona Sforza]. Maciejowski will learn of his continued problems from the letter of the Bishop of Kulm [Tiedemann Giese]. Dantiscus extols Giese’s virtues and asks for support in matters on which he is turning in writing to the King on behalf of the [Royal] Prussian Estates.

The Queen has charged Fabian Wojanowski (Damerau) with reminding Dantiscus of his obligation of loyalty to the King and listing all the kindnesses he has received, as if he had forgotten. Dantiscus is sending a reply but leaves it up to the addressee whether it is delivered to the Queen or destroyed. He has also written to the King, thanking him for the benevolence shown to his subjects. Regarding the same matter, he also extends his thanks to the addressee and the Vice-Chancellor [Paweł Dunin-Wolski]. He has also mentioned certain maritime matters in his letter to the King. He leaves it up to Maciejowski to decide whether the letter is delivered to the King.

Not knowing by what means his letters reach the King, Dantiscus asks Maciejowski to pass on a piece of confidential information to the King in person, namely that the city of Gdańsk (Danzig) together with the Duke [Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach] and the city of Elbing (Elbląg), going against royal decrees and acting to the detriment of both the Kingdom [of Poland] and Prussia, have not stopped minting coins; this has resulted in the value of gold increasing and the rare appearance of gold money in Prussia.

Dantiscus asks to be sent information on the replies concerning all these matters, including from the Queen, through Giese’s messenger [Michel Wicherski].

Regarding [Stanisław] Hozjusz (Hosius), Dantiscus holds the official conveyance of all the rights of his opponent [Alexander von Suchten]. The delay in concluding the matter is due to Hozjusz having failed to provide power of attorney.




Manuscript sources:
1office copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, BCz, 245, p. 147
2rough draft in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 7, f. 106r (t.p.), 106v (b.p.)

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 45, p. 180-184 (in extenso; English register)
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