Mandate of Gustavus Adolphus for the Protection of Travelers and Farmers

...anyone of high or low rank estate; referring to one’s social class, whether on the open roads, fields, and forests, as well as in cities, villages, and quarters original: "Quartirn," referring to military billets or lodgings, and otherwise here and there—neither in their persons, property, nor goods, under whatever pretext original: "Prætext," a Latin-derived term for a false excuse or cover and appearance it might be—to not hinder, offend, challenge, touch, or oppress them in the slightest. Rather, everyone, together with their goods, horses, and equipment original: "Geschirren," likely referring to harnesses, carts, or agricultural rigs, and other things, shall be allowed to pass and repass freely by water and land, safely, unhindered, and without any ransoming original: "Ranßionirung," the common 17th-century practice of soldiers extorting money for the return of seized goods or people of the goods, horses, and equipment.

To which end We then, by virtue of this [decree], allow and are satisfied that, should any attack on any person, equipment, or plow, or otherwise in any way occur by marauding horsemen original: "streiffenden Reutern" or infantry, the local authorities—with or without the help of Our officers and soldiers original: "Soldatesca" stationed nearby—may and shall immediately seize the wrongdoers, take command of them, and for the sake of proper, unremitting punishment, have them brought and delivered to their regiment (if the same is nearby). However, if that regiment should be located outside that same Circle The Imperial Circles (Reichskreise) were the administrative districts of the Holy Roman Empire., they should then be delivered to Our nearest General Governor original: "Statthalter" and Commander of said Circle.

And so that this Our serious will and intention may be fulfilled even more unfailingly and effectively, and all most-obligatory duty be observed, so shall...