Letter From Barbara

I find that a direct source can give such insight into the life of a historical character. For me, reading this letter made Barbara Strozzi a real person with real concerns. This is a letter in which she is seeking exemption from a tax (which I'm sure we can all appreciate, especially at this time of year!)

“Most Serene Prince: From the time that this Most Benign country succumbed to the torment of war, even I, Barbara Strozzi, Your Most Serene Highness's humble servant, lamented Her misadventures. As my condition did not permit me to help Her with my blood, I gathered up all my possessions: I sold my belongings, and deposited all of the money in the Mint, well in agreement that the public calamity should become the calamity of private wealth. I believed that having, with this voluntary sacrifice, done my duty to the possible limit of my resources, I would never be constrained to do the impossible. Nonetheless, I suddenly see myself obligated by a mandate of the Most Excellent Governors of Income to pay into the Mint two taxes of 100 ducats each. These were imposed on me when I found myself far from the city, and thus I could not be heard. I am persuaded that if the Most Excellent Tax Assessors had reflected with justice that I have four children in addition to my aged mother, and on my miserable fortunes, this harassment never would have occurred. One can see clearly in the public books that I do not have anything listed in the property tax rolls, and God only knows that if the little interest that comes to me from the Mint were lacking, I would surely have to beg for my sustenance from some other charity. Kneeling, I implore Your Excellency not to permit the destruction of a household unable to pay, that has devoted to the Public as much as it had [to give]. Kneeling, I implore you to pity the miseries of a large family, and grant me pardon, so that my arguments will be heard by some tribunal; so that even I might achieve that charitable relief that in this Most Serene State has never been denied to the tears of poverty. Thank you” (Glixon 318).