Von Gottes Gnaden Wir Carl…Nachdem die in Ungarn und besonders in dem Bannat, Temeswar, auch in Siebenbuergen… Polen…sich geaeusserte pest.

(GERMANY).

(Wolfenbuettel

1737)

Karl I, Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbuettel (1713-1780) issued this decree following the outbreak of the plague in Hungary and Poland in an effort to contain its spread into his territories. It states that goods may be imported only if they have detailed certified passes stating where they come from and through which areas they were transported. Goods from infected areas that can carry the disease (e.g., textiles, wool, fur, etc.) will be burned on the spot. Foreign Jews, horse traders, peddlers, etc. are not allowed to enter the territories under any circumstances. Nobody is allowed to accommodate these groups; protected Jews in particular are forbidden to accommodate “beggar Jews.” If indigent Jews are found in the ducal territories they will be punished harshly and repeat offenders could be subject to the death penalty. Only Jews from England or Holland may enter or travel through the country assuming they possess the necessary papers.