A 1772 decree from Frankfurt, Germany, directed against Jews and other citizens of Frankfurt illegally borrowing money to soldiers stationed in the city. The illustration shows the city of Frankfurt and its fortifications / city wall, around 1772. In 1755 the city of Frankfurt passed a law prohibiting the giving of loans to soldiers stationed in the city. By 1755 Frankfurt was vitally important for trade and was heavily protected with city walls, towers, and military personnel. For a variety of reasons, but often for problems associated with gambling, drinking, and frequenting brothels, soldiers would get loans from Frankfurt citizens. (Indeed, the nearby community of Wiesbaden was a gambling center for Germany at the time). Many of those giving loans in Frankfurt were Jews, as in Germany the loaning of money was traditionally (at one time legally) a Jewish occupation. When soldiers were unable to pay back the loan and legal trouble threatened, they often deserted the military and left Frankfurt. By 1772 it appears the populace had become lax with this law, with the result soldiers in Frankfurt had at times fallen into serious financial trouble and / or humiliation when their expensive secrets were discovered - presumably when they needed and couldnt pay back the loans and had to seek help. In addition, desertion because of the inability to pay on loans seems to have returned or remained as a problem. This decree was a reminder to the populace of Frankfurt of the 1755 law and asserted that it would be enforced, and Jews and others were not to give out loans to soldiers. Translated into English, the proclamation reads as follows: Frankfurt 1772, It came to our attention that the citizens and Jews of this city impinge against the decree released on January 14, 1755. Citizens and Jews of this city are lending clothes, beverages, food and other wares against taxes (translator note: pay-back with interest) to the working soldiers here. By this the soldiers are not only driven to humiliation, they also run into debts and are therefore tempted to desert. Therefore it becomes necessary to warn all citizens and especially the Jews one last time to reread the edict released in January. This edict forbids to give any soldier, no matter of which level of command he is, anything else than is stated in the edict from January... Citizens and Jews are....not allowed to lend them money or similar wares. All lenders shall be rejected from the Department of War without being given their taxes (translator: payments and interest on the loan). But they will also receive a penalty for acting against this law. Conclusum in Senatum, Thursday, September 10, 1772.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 03:12:18 +0000