The Duke of Guastalla on a “lettera reversale”, 24 September 1717

transcription.txt

# Guastalla, 24 September 1717 (Biblioteca Estense, Autografoteca Campori, Lettera A, cc. 15-16): transcription.
# Two passes; each difference was settled on the full-size scan. Where the passes disagreed on a 3 or a 7
# in the first digit of a pair, this text writes 3. Clear text is in << >>. A '?' marks a doubtful digit.
p1 L01: <<Ricevo il gradito Lei foglio di 15 cor.te dal quale>> 4346
p1 L02: 635163 643046675 6537368 2 37625 6243 645162
p1 L03: 4630648 365 63 65 517 2537467 43 44 126 116 6462
p1 L04: 306563 645146 12 63 3064 37463637 6530468 445
p1 L05: 636563 374165 3746646 6377? 64 434530465 447 1261?
p1 L06: 106 1 118 63643062 3745 25 776241 12 64625 2063
p1 L07: 30636037 643065 30468 446 45436 624363 605163
p1 L08: 646 636544 64374651626 3637446 30466437 3577?
p1 L09: 363746647 44377 44 37 64 38626 6335624364 37457
p1 L10: 635160625 3637446 6165 30447 61653046 645146 61 656
p1 L11: 457 646251657 423065 3762446 257063 6477 635144 45
p1 L12: 3746646 624363 605163648 448 63355162638 5162
p1 L13: 3643463062438 18 44306335438 4346 11 363626
p1 L14: 604443 35 3062446 2 18 638 61653044 6243 636051
p1 L15: 63645 60439 606237 3543635 3630626 13 76544377
p1 L16: 354243 3062304537 46 646 18 457 637 3643355 636
p1 L17: 63435 51 18 63 6430645 514577635 445 60623764
p1 L18: 3746 634351466 3637445 44 37 64 37625 6237 653762
p1 L19: 6330446 3551456 12[sup o] 2 395 44 43636437 63436343458
p1 L20: 3739 77 648 363744 7062 6443 3551448 65 46 3637 3543458
p1 L21: 3637445 93[sup o] 7643754243 7062 30674351466 3046 637
p2 L01: 6037414351626 653746 3746368 30363763 77 626 6546
p2 L02: 30648 6051634 3 64 43658 36 7025 3643 35 3067 4351466
p2 L03: 3637446 45436 623041 4351467 3044 6165 30446 18 6370?
p2 L04: 628 45307 603762 3036376243626 603762 18 3930626
p2 L05: 30456 130445 454335 3530635 6546 3551637 37654336
p2 L06: 3746646 60623741 4365 3643 67438 [#] 6037628 636430628
p2 L07: 3064 7746363846368 2 44377 457 603062447 3542
p2 L08: 4370628 14346 6437 624543467 605163 43 64 43657 639
p2 L09: 6470446 447764 77625 6237653762 6330446 633746675
p2 L10: 367 2 18 638 2 624363605163645 3630626 1414352
p2 L11: 37445 45 425 63356243648 2 18 637 606237 643746
p2 L12: 366 365456 636 18 12 2 637 6062306443 355 355145
p2 L13: 65463745 3746646 4637446 149 36374144 3044 64 627
p2 L14: 393765367 446 62776044 43358 2 13 44 149 2 634346
p2 L15: 643746 366 3551463537 363762 457 63435 6337355146368
p2 L16: 445 395162455 164374651626 3637446 304664 43 2 6364
p2 L17: 30646 6351 4443 643045 3746646 3551463577 636 30
p2 L18: 4543 377 4530414351627 605163776351627 3637 44
p2 L19: 64776243645162438 2 637 64 6230645 367 35373637
p2 L20: 62457 1 3551637 633746675 4344 454346 43458 606237
p2 L21: 4143 65364367508 45438 13637445 45435 6051636437
p2 L22: 6243645 18 423065628 76433943 355144 645 3036
p2 L23: 30353764 3062445 455 13 657 637 655144376337 628
p3 L01: 306051626 355146364367 4351467 466551656 37445456
p3 L02: 446 306543637 355146 6465645 445 4530414351626
p3 L03: 364363 64 4346 674351466 13 6051635 3930626543
p3 L04: 446 45436 6243394437634335146 7 1 6243633514465 37
p3 L05: 626 12 457 6451624630625 30 355146648 466 63 65
p3 L06: 11[sup o] 4530643762435 63306062377 60439 2 3041435146
p3 L07: 4137626 355146 6537463746365145 2 3064 77463637 626
p3 L08: 365 44377 446 6062373543636 624363605163646 1
p3 L09: 624363514465 67 4351467 639 446 62434437 65 30646
p3 L10: 3046 6437 3637646 3643 39 43 355144 645 423065646
p3 L11: 446 616530447 18 603762 3637628 4551433746 6452
p3 L12: 367 643745608 4637 44 624363605146 3637626 18 445
p3 L13: 633543 3046368 367 605162446 46516530453746646
p3 L14: 4346 355146 6343 3637 62306743514662 4344 6237
p3 L15: 3643648 363744 6437 6243 645162438 3035374630
p3 L16: 6451457 4637445 4651645 45304636306430457 6243
p3 L17: 3763356? 3551637 643746656 1 454363 37 62302543446
p3 L18: 30 35514639 625146648 363744 4346 644337628 105
p3 L19: 648 367 121 2 18 45376243645 45307 2 438 4543
p3 L20: 4430633543 4465634346 4130626 30 3930624543
p3 L21: 4344 454346 43458 606237414365 364367438 6243
p3 L22: 60625164376364 3046 3651457 [x mark]2 61653046648 6330626
p3 L23: 603762 393062 43463530638 18 654346 6437 62653746
p4 L01: 415 606237414365 364367438 3637446 45436 6230
p4 L02: 414351467 6320625 633745 60626 30 355146 643745
p4 L03: 604430674351466 363744 6351458 45376243 648 367
p4 L04: 92 93[mark] 603762 35657 423065628 6337456062 37 445
p4 L05: 60439 516337616543516 35 653746 386230674351466
p4 L06: 355146 63603762304667 5 63435 603762 393062457
p4 L07: 355144 643745608 4151 3637626 4144 30647 3637445
p4 L08: 413746376251634363 43455 63655 4565 4643 3943
p4 L09: 353746675 1 43463551625162415 414365 6364 4367435
p4 L10-L14: <<Intendo con molto spiacere il mal stato di salute del Sr. Contino Lei figlio, comprendendo l'agitazione d'animo che Lei ne prova, e prego il Sig.re ridonare allo stesso la primiera sanità, ed a Lei ogni vero bene. Guastalla 24 [7bre?] 1717>> (clear, read at 1000 px only)

decryption.txt

# Guastalla, 24 September 1717: decryption of transcription.txt with the key in key.tsv, found from the ciphertext alone.
# One line per manuscript line. The writer's group breaks are kept as spaces; they are not always word breaks.
# Numbers read as codes are shown in braces, for example {2.}.
p1 L01: in
p1 L02: sos tanza uedo {2.} era ri tor
p1 L03: nato da s u oi {25}eni i l {12}e {11}e tr
p1 L04: aus ton {12} s at ende uano la
p1 L05: sus egu ente se t imana li {12}q
p1 L06: {10}e {1.} {11}o star em {25} erg {12} tra {20}s
p1 L07: aspe tau ano le mie ris pos
p1 L08: te sul tenore dele ante ce
p1 L09: denti lei l e t ere scrit emi
p1 L10: sopra dele qu ali quan ton q ue
p1 L11: mi troui hau erle {25}as te sol m
p1 L12: ente ris posto lo scorso or
p1 L13: dinario {18} lascio in {11} dd{26}
p1 L14: pli c arle {2.} {18} so qual ri spo
p1 L15: sta pi{9.} pre cisa dare {13} raie
p1 L16: chi arame n te {18} mi si dica se
p1 L17: sia o {18} s tata omesa la pret
p1 L18: en sione dela l e t era re uer
p1 L19: sale come {12} {2.} fa l iste sisimo
p1 L20: ef e to del ar ti colo u n de cimo
p1 L21: dela {93} richi ar azione an si
p2 L01: pegiore uen endo ades e re un
p2 L02: ato post a t iuo d a{25} di c az ione
p2 L03: dele mie rag ioni al qu ale {18} sa
p2 L04: ro mai per aderire per {18} fare
p2 L05: ame {13}am mic casa un cosi euid
p2 L06: ente preg iu di zio pero staro
p2 L07: at endendo {2.} lei mi parli ch
p2 L08: iaro {14}ue te rmini pos i t iui s{9.}
p2 L09: tale let era reuer sale senza
p2 L10: di {2.} {18} so {2.} risposta dare {14}{14}c{2.}
p2 L11: ela m ha scrito {2.} {18} si pre ten
p2 L12: de dal se {18} {12} {2.} si prati ca com
p2 L13: unem ente nele {14}{9.} degl al t ri
p2 L14: feudi le repl ico {2.} {13} l {14}{9.} {2.} sin
p2 L15: ten de conce der mi sia secondo
p2 L16: la forma {16}iou{16}{26} dele ant i {2.} st
p2 L17: ate so li tam ente conce se a
p2 L18: mi ei magiori posesori de l
p2 L19: teritorio {2.} si t rata di cede
p2 L20: rmi {1.} cosi senza il min imo pre
p2 L21: gi udizio mio {13}som mia poste
p2 L22: rita {18} hauro rifi col ta ad
p2 L23: acet arla ma {13} ui si uolese ro
p3 L01: apore condiz ioni nuoue elal
p3 L02: le auisi con tuta la magiore
p3 L03: dis t in zione {13} posa farui
p3 L04: le mie riflesic{14}e i {1.} risc{14}na e
p3 L05: re {12} mi tornara a conto ne s u
p3 L06: {11} materia saprei pi{9.} {2.} agion
p3 L07: gere con uenendom {2.} at ende re
p3 L08: da lei le precise risposte {1.}
p3 L09: risolu z ioni s{9.} le rile u ate
p3 L10: an te dete di f i col ta haute
p3 L11: le quali {18} per dero moien te
p3 L12: di tempo ne l rispon dere {18} la
p3 L13: sci ando di porle nouamente
p3 L14: in con si de razionr il re
p3 L15: dito del te ri torio acena
p3 L16: tomi nela nota mandatami ri
p3 L17: esce cosi tenue {1.} mis e ra{25}ile
p3 L18: a conf ronto del in tiero {10}a
p3 L19: to di {12}{1.} {2.} {18} merita mai {2.} io mi
p3 L20: lasci lusin gare a farmi
p3 L21: il min imo pregiu dizio ri
p3 L22: protest an domi {2.} quanto sare
p3 L23: per far incaso {18} uin te ruen
p4 L01: ga pregiu dizio dele mie ra
p4 L02: gioni s{20}ra sem pre a con tem
p4 L03: plazione del somo meri to di
p4 L04: {92} {93} per cui hauro sempr e la
p4 L05: pi{9.} osequioe c uen erazione
p4 L06: con speranz a sia per farmi
p4 L07: col tempo go dere gl ati dela
p4 L08: generosis ima sua mu ni fi
p4 L09: cenza {1.} incororga giu st izia

reading.md

# Guastalla, 24 September 1717: reading

Antonio Ferdinando Gonzaga, Duke of Guastalla, to a correspondent who is not named. Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Autografoteca Campori, Lettera A, "Antonio Ferdinando, duca di Guastalla", cc. 15-16.

Italian: in the clear at the start and the end, and in cipher between them.

**Marks.**

- A code group is shown with its number, such as [2]. Where context gives a sense, the sense follows after "=".
- `[?]` marks a doubtful word or letter.
- Words in brackets are restored from context. The key did not give them.
- The reading keeps the writer's spelling where the key gives it.
- The writer's spaces do not always fall between words. Word division and punctuation are mine.

## Clear opening

Ricevo il gradito di Lei foglio di 15 corrente, dal quale

## Cipher text

The numbers match the clauses of `translation.md`. Page breaks fall inside clauses 6, 14 and 20.

1. in sostanza vedo [2 = che] era ritornato da' suoi beni il [12]e[11]e Trauston [?Trautson],
2. [12]s'attendevano la seguente settimana; li [12]q[10]e [1 = e] [11]o Starhemberg [12] Tra[20]s
3. aspettavano le mie risposte sul tenore delle antecedenti lettere scrittemi,
4. sopra delle quali, quanto a quello mi trovi haverle basta[?] solamente risposto lo scorso ordinario, [18 = non] lascio in [11]dd[26]plicarle
5. [2 = che] [18 = non] so qual risposta più precisa dare, [13] r[?]aie chiaramente [18 = non] mi si dica se sia o [18 = non] stata omessa la pretensione della lettera reversale,
6. come [12] [2 = che] fa l'istessissimo effetto dell'articolo undecimo della [93]richiarazione [= dichiarazione], anzi (page 2) peggiore,
7. venendo ad essere una tacita abdicazione delle mie ragioni, alla quale [18 = non] sarò mai per aderire,
8. per [18 = non] fare a me [13]am mi[c] casa un così evidente pregiudizio.
9. Però starò attendendo [2 = che] Lei mi parli chiaro [14]ve termini positivi su tale lettera reversale,
10. senza di [2 = che] [18 = non] so [2 = che] risposta dare [14][14]c[2]ela.
11. M'ha scritto [2 = che] [18 = non] si pretende dal se [18] [12] [2 = che] si pratica comunemente nelle [14][9] degl'altri feudi.
12. Le replico [2 = che] [13] l[14][9] [2 = che] s'intende concedermi sia secondo la forma [16]iou[16][26] delle antiche investiture solitamente concesse a' miei maggiori possessori del territorio [2 = che] si tratta di cedermi,
13. [1 = e] così, senza il minimo pregiudizio mio [13]som mia posterità, [18 = non] haverò difficoltà ad accettarla;
14. ma [13] vi si volessero (page 3) apporre condizioni nuove, e alle [?]avisi con tutta la maggiore distinzione [13] possa farvi le mie riflessioni
15. [?] [1 = e] [?] re [12] mi tornerà a conto, né [?sua] materia saprei più [2 = che] aggiungere,
16. convenendomi [2 = che] attendere da Lei le precise risposte [1 = e] risoluzioni sulle rilevate antedette difficoltà havute,
17. le quali [18 = non] perderò momento di tempo nel rispondere, [18 = non] lasciando di porle nuovamente in considerazione.
18. Il reddito del territorio accennatomi nella nota mandatami riesce così tenue [1 = e] miserabile a confronto dell'intiero [10]ato di [12][1],
19. [2 = che] [18 = non] merita mai [2 = che] io mi lasci lusingare a farmi il minimo pregiudizio,
20. riprotestandomi [2 = che] quanto sarò per far in caso [18 = non] vi intervenga (page 4) pregiudizio delle mie ragioni
21. sarà sempre a contemplazione del sommo merito di [92][93],
22. per cui haverò sempre la più ossequiosa venerazione,
23. con speranza sia per farmi col tempo godere gl'atti della generosissima sua munificenza [1 = e] [?] giustizia.

## Clear closing

- Intendo con molto dispiacere il mal stato di salute del Sig. Contino Lei figlio,
- comprendendo l'agitazione d'animo che Lei ne prova,
- e prego il Signore ridonare allo stesso la primiera sanità, ed a Lei ogni vero bene.
- Guastalla 24 7bre 1717.
- Ant. Ferd. Gonzaga.

## Notes

- "Trauston" and "Starhemberg" read as names. They match ministers at the imperial court in 1717: Prince Trautson and a Count Starhemberg. I have not checked this in print.
- The code groups for names and titles stay conjectures.
- Doubtful passages: page 1 line 15 ("r[?]aie"), page 3 line 4 ("riflesic[14]e i [1] risc[14]na e re [12]"), and page 4 line 9 ("incororga").

translation.md

# Guastalla, 24 September 1717: translation

English translation of `reading.md`, clause by clause. Brackets mark code groups and doubtful places. "?" marks a guess.

## Clear opening

I receive your welcome letter of the 15th of this month, from which

## Cipher text

1. In substance I see that [the Prince?] Trautson had come back from the family estates.
2. [Count?] Starhemberg and Trautson [?] were expected the following week.
3. They were waiting for my answers on the content of the earlier letters written to me.
4. On these, as far as I find that I have only answered them by the last post, I do not fail to send them again [?].
5. I do not know what more precise answer to give, unless I am told clearly whether the claim of the reversal letter ("lettera reversale") has been dropped or not.
6. That letter has the very same effect as the eleventh article of the declaration, and is even worse.
7. It amounts to a tacit abdication of my rights, to which I will never agree.
8. I will not do myself and my house such an obvious harm.
9. So I will wait for you to speak to me clearly, in positive terms, about this reversal letter.
10. Without that I do not know what answer to give [?].
11. You have written to me that nothing more is claimed than what is commonly practised in [the investitures?] of the other fiefs.
12. I reply to you that, if [the investiture?] that is meant to be granted to me follows the form [?] of the old investitures usually granted to my forebears, the owners of the territory that is to be ceded to me,
13. and so without the least harm to me and to my posterity, I will have no difficulty in accepting it.
14. But if they wanted to attach new conditions to it, I could put my thoughts on them to you with all the greatest care [?].
15. [Passage not fully read.] It will be to my advantage [?], and I could add nothing more on the matter [?].
16. It suits me to wait from you for the precise answers and decisions on the difficulties raised above.
17. I will not lose a moment in answering them, and I will not fail to put them up again for consideration.
18. The revenue of the territory named to me in the list you sent is so small and poor, compared with the whole [value?] of [?],
19. that it never deserves that I let myself be tempted into the least harm to myself.
20. I declare again that whatever I do, provided that no harm to my rights comes of it,
21. will always be out of regard for the high merit of [code 92 93: the Emperor?],
22. for whom I will always have the most dutiful veneration,
23. in the hope that, in time, I will enjoy the acts of that most generous munificence and [?] justice.

## Clear closing

I hear with much regret of the bad health of the young Count, your son. I understand the distress of mind that you feel. I pray the Lord to give him back his former health, and to you every true good. Guastalla, 24 September [written "7bre"] 1717. Antonio Ferdinando Gonzaga.

## Gist

The duke writes to an agent at the imperial court, or in touch with it. The court has offered the duke a territory. The duke refuses to sign a "reversal letter" that would give up other claims. The duke will accept the territory only on the old terms of investiture. The territory's income is too small to justify any loss of rights.