Mandate of Gustavus Adolphus for the Protection of Travelers and Farmers

...to ride away and exhaust them. Furthermore, not only are the poor subjects original: "Vnderthanen"—by which We mean all those subjects encompassed under Our protection and authority, without distinction—often and repeatedly sent several miles as messengers and hunted about, even for trivial and minor reasons (in which moderation original: "moderation"; meaning restraint or reasonable limit should rightly be exercised), but also the horses and oxen of the citizen, peasant, and farmer are worn out and ruined for their [the soldiers'] private business by riding and driving them back and forth. This likewise causes significant harm and hindrance to trade original: "Commercien" and agriculture original: "Feldbaw". Therefore, We desire that such harmful abuse be entirely abolished herewith, and have strictly commanded both officers and soldiers to refrain from this in the future, upon pain of Our highest displeasure, as well as inevitable corporal and capital punishment original: "Leibs vnd Lebensstraff"; literally "punishment of body and life" depending on the findings. Furthermore, no postmaster, citizen, peasant, or farmer shall be obliged in such cases to lend or provide them with horses and tackle original: "Geschirr"; the harness and equipment for draft animals in the future; rather, they shall be protected and defended against this by everyone, especially by those officers and soldiers who have their quarters original: "Quartir" in that place or nearby. For if they fail to do so, they themselves shall answer for it and [compensate] the offended or robbed—