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The
So-called Settlement Patent
(Ref. Eimann,
page 48) "was essential for the development of the parent
community"
It reads word
for word:
We the
people of Josef the Second, chosen Roman Emperor by his
gracious God, through all times in the majority of the
Empire, king of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia, and Lodomeria, do
(thun) herewith (Jedermänniglich kund) that we in our
kingdom of Hungary, Galicia, and Lodomeria possessed many
unoccupied, empty, and desolate lands which we thought to
settle with German members of the Empire, especially from
the upper Rhine region. In the end we promise, by our
drilled-in imperial royal slogan to all of our migrating
families of the Empire, which we are in need of many
thousand of farm families and professionals:
First: A
perfect conscience and religious freedom (Freyheit) as each
religious party (Partey) is provided the most completely
needed clergy and teachers belonging to it.
Second:
Each family was provided with a respectable new roomy
country house with a garden beside it.
Third: The
field hands with each family were presented with the
necessary ground in existing good fields and meadows as well
as the necessary draft and breed livestock, then field and
home implements.
Fourth: The
professionals and day workers on the other hand merely had
those appliances in the landlord’s house to enjoy but the
professionals are paid 50 Rhine Guilders to acquire their
craftsman’s implements.
Fifth: The
oldest son of each family is and remains free from military
recruitment.
Sixth: Each
family received free transportation from Vienna to the
village and place of settlement where the necessary travel
money was paid. After that they were provided for just so
long until the family is settled and can provide for
themselves. But after a period of support one family or the
other has three years to refund all advances to get out of
debt.
Seventh: If
the new arrivals became sick because of the climate or the
trip, they were put up in a hospital and cared for free of
charge to return them to their previously healthy condition.
Eighth:
Finally these immigrants from the Empire were promised to be
completely free and remain free from land and government
taxes for ten years (Abgabe und Lasten as they called
them). But after the course of these ten years they are
obligated to pay the usual reasonable tax like other
landowners.
Which
decision and opinion (Willensmeinung) we acknowledge the
truth with this certificate sealed by our K.K. pressed on
the secretary's insignia for confirmation. So it was
presented to Vienna on the 21st of September in the year
1782. Our Roman Empire in the 90's, the Hungarian and
Bohemian on the second (zweyten).
Joseph. (L.S.)
Ad Mandatum Sacrae
ut R.Prince Caesarea
Majestatis
Colloredo mppria
proprium.
Ign. v. Hoffmann
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