Settlement patent in 1782 by Emperor Joseph II

The Josephinian settlement patent of 1782

(Source: Batschki Jarak, Jarek Festschrift for the 150th anniversary of Johann Schmidt, et al., Werbas 1937, pages 9 – 10)

“We, Joseph the Second, Roman Emperor, chosen by the grace of God, at all times the expander of the Empire, King of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia and Lodomeria, hereby make known to everyone that we possess many unoccupied, empty and desolate lands in our kingdoms of Hungary, Galicia and Lodomeria, which we intend to settle with German members of the Empire, especially from the Upper Rhine region.

To this end, we promise, with our innate imperial-royal slogan, to all imperial families who migrate to us, of whom we need many thousands of farmers.

First: a completely perfect freedom of conscience and religion as well as to provide every religious party with the necessary clergy, teachers and everything else that belongs to it.

Secondly, every family is to be provided with a neat, new, spacious house with a garden, in keeping with local standards.

Thirdly: to provide the farmers with the land required for each family, consisting of good fields and meadows, as well as with the necessary draught and breeding cattle, and also field and household equipment.

Fourthly: the professionals and day laborers, on the other hand, are only allowed to enjoy the equipment necessary for household management, but in addition to this, the professionals are paid 50 Rhenish guilders in cash to purchase their craft equipment.

Fifth: the eldest son of every family is and remains exempt from military recruitment.

Sixthly, every family receives free transport from Vienna to the place of settlement, for which the necessary travel money is paid out; after that, the food continues until the family is able to support itself. However, if after this period of support one or the other family encounters misfortune through no fault of their own, all assistance will be provided in return for three years’ reimbursement.

Seventhly: in order to restore new arrivals, who may become ill during the journey or due to a change in climate or in any other way, to their previous state of health as quickly as possible, hospitals are set up in order to provide them with the most careful care free of charge.

Eighthly: finally, these immigrants to the Empire are guaranteed freedom for a full ten years from the day of their settlement, during which time they will be and remain completely free from all state and sovereign taxes, duties and burdens, whatever they may be called. After these ten years of freedom, however, they are obliged to pay a reasonable, customary tax, like other residents of the country.

Which resolution and will We confirm for the sake of truth with this document sealed with Our royal imprinted secret seal, as given:

Vienna, on the twenty-first of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-two (1782). Our Roman Empire in the nineteenth, the Hungarian and Roman Empire in the second.”

Signed:

Joseph

ut. R. Fürst, Colloredo mppris.

Ad Mandatum Sacrae Caesaraeae
Majestatis propum
Ing. Hofmann