Letter to a Merchant

Collect 20 mithqals from the price for yourself and take what remains from the sale to buy a silk outfit from the master who made the silk outfit for the elder Abū Zikrī, the cut of which cost 3 and a half mithqals, and get it tailored. If you do not find it already made, ask to have it made quickly, dye it pistachio green, have it pressed to the highest standard and send it off quickly with the mats of Abraham, since the outfit is also for him and he needs it for his wedding. Do not delay this matter a second.

And, please, do also inform Yisḥaq ben Barūkh—May the Rock protect him—, that with regard to the two mithqals that remained [owed to] Hārūn ibn al-Barjalūnī, I paid them to him at the time that Hārūn intended to travel to Siljimasa, on his [Yisḥaq’s] behalf, from my own money. So collect the money from him without delay.

Know that my heart is burning since I have gathered gold and I have not found anybody to send it with, so I feel obliged by necessity to send part of it with Daud and, by God, that does not make me happy, but Trust in God and do good (Psalms 37:3). I will also send you the copper that is available with him.

I inform you that the lac remained at its previous market [price] for only a short period, since from the day that the rebel occupied the Sus, the price has dropped. I still have five bales of it. As for that which I gave to this Barūkh, he has not been able to sell any of it. I am confounded about this more than about anything else. All the lac has remained with me in the room and, by God, had it not been for my concern about what he has of yours (with the exception of the lac), I would not have left him in charge [of anything]. And I [still] fear that it is said that [my] lac is with him. May God, the exalted, bring everything to a good end. Do not think that any impediment makes me stay in Fes other than checking what happens with him [Barūkh] since Ibrahim shifted most of the things that he conveyed.

You asked me about brazilwood: one pound and a half costs one mithqal.

I already wrote a letter to you in which I mentioned that a Jewish money changer who [never] falls short [in helping me] in the collection and payment of debts, asked for a pair of scales and a set of weights whose price he already paid to me in its entirety. I wrote a letter to you about this matter and I also wrote to the scales maker. Do not delay this matter a second.

In regard to the note, I already acknowledged its arrival to you many times.

I do not feel I can describe to you my sadness in Fes. My lamentation was increased by the great disaster, the catastrophe, the news of the death of our rabbi Yosef, the great rabbi—May the spirit of God set him at peace—. I do not feel I can describe it to you. If God had willed that I had stayed in the previous [state], I would have certainly conversed with him and made his acquaintance. I have never experienced more bitter adversity than this.

Take notice that in the alum that I sent to you there are seven bales of excellent quality which have an additional cost of one quarter of a mithqal per qintar. The price of the rest varies but it was a cheap purchase. Before it went out each qintar increased its value a quarter of a mithqal. Whether you consider that it is preferable to mix it or to sell it individually, you know the market better. As for the containers, sell all of them because each container costs one dirham. The total weight of the alum that belongs to you is forty five qintars and a half, small measure. May God, the exalted, facilitate things.

If I had had the courage, I would have sent to you one hundred qintars, but I did not dare since there was a lot of demand for it, as I informed you of all of this.

Be under God’s protection and guard. Best regards and greetings and all His protection.

I gave you my regards and wrote it on the point of leaving. May your well-being increase. On the last ten days of Tevet.

Do not fail writing [letters] to me.

The bearer of my letter to you is the packer, who was present when the alum was packed and can tell you which is the good quality one. I lent him my small saddle. When he arrives take it from him. I will send to you letters with Daud, with all that you need. Shalom.

Source: CUL T-S 13J21.12.