Mandate of Gustavus Adolphus for the Protection of Travelers and Farmers

the aforementioned high and low officers original: "Officirer", as each and every one of them values maintaining his rank original: "Charge"; a person's official duty or position, honor, and reputation, and wishes to avoid Our heavy displeasure and serious punishment, shall with all seriousness and diligence keep the roads within and between the quarters original: "Quartiren"; the areas where soldiers were billeted or lodged clean and safe. They must maintain good oversight and watch for marauding persons, diligently investigating and pursuing them. Upon finding any suspicion or actual attack, they shall without delay detain original: "anhaltē"; the bar over the 'e' is a shorthand for 'en' and examine them for all their actions. Likewise, if they have no travel passes original: "Paßzettel"; official documents required for travel during wartime to show, or otherwise have no valid reason or excuse for their coming and going, or for their business and conduct, or if they improperly abuse their travel passes or present suspicious passes in any way, the officers shall take them into custody at once and have them delivered for punishment in the manner mentioned above. They must not make themselves equally suspicious, biased, or guilty through any collusion original: "connivents"; from the Latin for 'winking at' a crime or turning a blind eye, nor make themselves liable for punishment.

And since it has also come to Our equally great displeasure that both officers and soldiers have frequently and wickedly seen fit not only to harass the postmasters original: "Posthalter"; officials in charge of the relay stations for mail and horses stationed here and there—contrary to the letters of protection original: "Salua Guardien"; from the Latin salva guardia, these were formal documents issued by the King to exempt certain individuals or buildings from military interference We have granted them—but also to seize their post-horses original: "Postroß" by force without compensation or payment of the standard postal fees...