Most Reverend, most Serene Elector,
Most Gracious Lord, Lord, etc.
May it please your Electoral Serenity graciously to hear the humble representations how in the absence of voices in Your Highness’s Court Chapel my insignificant self took part in the music for at least four years without the good fortune of having allotted by Your Serene Electoral Highness a small salario.
I therefore pray Your Serene Electoral Highness most humbly that it graciously please you (in consideration of my father’s faithful service for 23 years) to rejoice me with a decree as court musician, which high grace will infuse me with zeal to serve Your Serene Highness with the greatest fidelity and zealousness.
Your
Serene Electoral Highness’s
Most humble-obedient-faithful servant,
Joan van Biethoffen.
To the Music Director Gottwaldt for a report of his humble judgment. Attestation by the most gracious sign manual and seal of the privy chancellary.
Bonn, March 19, 1756.
(Signed) Clemens August (L.S.)
Most reverend, most serene Elector,
Most gracious Lord, Lord, etc.
Your Serene Electoral Highness has referred to my humble judgment the petition of Joan van Piethoffen, the supplicant prays Your Electoral Highness for a gracious decree as accessist in the court music, he has indeed served for two years with his voice on the Duc Sall (doxal), hopes in time to deserve the good will of Your Serene Highness by his industry, and his father who enjoys the grace of serving Your Highness as bass singer prays his appointment, I pray most humbly and obediently for instruction concerning your Highness’s good will in the matter, submit myself humbly and obediently to Your Serene Highness’s grace and remain in greatest humility.