To Sin-iddinam say, thus saith Ḥammurabi: Lalu, the kadurru, hath informed me thus, saith he, “Ani-ellati, the governor rabiânu, has laid claim to [alienated] the field which I have held since ... and [taken] the corn of the field.” Thus he hath informed me. The tablet can be seen in the palace. Lalu holds two GAN of land. Why has Ani-ellati, the governor, laid claim to Lalu's field? Inquire into the matter. If Ani-ellati has lent on mortgage to Lalu, the kadurru, grant him his debt and lay the blame on Ani-ellati, who lent on pledge.
It is clear that Lalu was one of those privileged officials who held lands by royal charter, and who could not be dispossessed of their land. The Code directs[824] that a governor shall not lend on mortgage to a reeve or runner or tributary, under pain of death. Although a kadurru is not there named, this letter makes it probable he was similarly protected. It is interesting to notice where the record was to be found. The palace, or “great house,” was the residence of the governor. The tablet probably recorded the appointment of Lalu to his benefice; it therefore was his title-deed. An interesting question may be raised here. Did Ḥammurabi mean in his own palace? It may be so, for he writes in another letter:[825]
The depository for deeds
To Sin-iddinam say, thus saith Ḥammurabi: One GAN of water-meadow, a field in the district of Dûr-gurgurri is an old possession of Ea-lubanî. In a tablet it is inscribed as his. Give the field to Ea-lubanî.
Now how could Ḥammurabi know this unless the tablet had been shown to him? Perhaps the claimant brought his tablet with him when he came to lay his plea before the king. That is quite possible, but it may well be that the king insisted that all title-deeds be deposited in the capital.
Restitutions ordered
An order for the restoration of stolen corn appears in another letter:[826]
To Sin-iddinam say, thus saith Ḥammurabi: Ṭummumu of Nippur hath informed me thus, saith he, “I deposited seventy GUR of corn in a granary in Unabu and Amêl-ili has opened the granary and taken the corn.” Thus he hath informed me. Now I will send Ṭummumu himself to thee. Send and let them bring Amêlili to thee. See what they have to say. The corn belonging to Ṭummumu which Amêl-ili took let him return to Ṭummumu.
Another letter reads thus:[827]
To Sin-iddinam say, thus saith Ḥammurabi: Ilushu-iḳîsh, the merchant, over five, has informed me thus, saith he, “Thirty GUR of corn I gave to Sin-mâgir, the Šakkanak, and I took his receipt. I have asked for it for three years and he has not given back the corn.” Thus hath he informed me. I have seen his receipt. Cause Sin-mâgir to give up the corn and its interest and give it to Ilu-shu-iḳîsh.