翻刻
構而不実可仕とハ不奉存候得共多之質屋召仕之内ニハ不心得之者
有之紛布品價軽ク取置質流ニ相成候得者利徳厚ニ据利欲に
迷取質仕候族も有之様ニも風説仕候ニ付以後被盗主番非人直ニ
懸合ニ罷越候分帳面操落麁略御坐候而も無御咎後難之恐無之
様相成候得者かならす氣分相弛往々麁略ニ相流候場も難計候ニ付
右之通被仰付度奉存候
但本文之通御取究被仰付候得者盗賊共何れ置人相頼候ニ付
自然引合相付盗賊召捕之一助ニも相成可申哉ニ奉存候
右之通御尋ニ付私共存念奉申上候被盗物穿鑿行届候様
御究之助相立候得者追々盗物も相減御取締宜布方と奉存候ニ付
市郷厚被為仰談被下度奉存候此段可然様被仰上可被下候以上
申十一月 片岡續蔵
山田五郎左衛門
三木長左衛門様
笹倉善次兵衛様
内藤安蔵様
現代語訳
わざと不実を行うとは存じませんが、多くの質屋が雇用している中には心得のない者もおり、紛らわしい品を安価で預かり置き、質流れになれば利得が厚いので、利欲に迷って質を取る者もいるようだという風説もあります。そのため、今後被盗主や番非人が直接掛け合いに出向いた分について、帳面の操作や粗略があってもお咎めなく、後難の恐れがないようになれば、必ず気が緩んで度々粗略に済ませる場合も計り知れないので、右の通り仰せ付けいただきたく存じます。
ただし、本文の通りお取り究めを仰せ付けられれば、盗賊どもはどこかで置人を頼むので、自然と引き合いが付いて盗賊召し捕りの一助にもなるのではないかと存じます。
右の通りお尋ねについて私どもの存念を申し上げます。被盗物の穿鑿が行き届くよう、お究めの助けが立てられれば、追々盗物も減り、お取り締まりがよろしい方法と存じますので、市郷とよくご相談いただきたく存じます。この段、然るべきように仰せ上げいただけますでしょうか。以上
申年十一月 片岡続蔵
山田五郎左衛門
三木長左衛門様
笹倉善次兵衛様
内藤安蔵様
英語訳
While we do not believe they would deliberately act dishonestly, among the many employees of pawnshops there are some who lack proper understanding, and there are rumors that some, driven by greed for profit, take suspicious items at low prices knowing that if they become forfeited pawns the profit would be substantial. Therefore, if in the future when theft victims and ban-hinin go directly to negotiate, there are no punishments for manipulating records or being negligent, and no fear of future troubles, their vigilance will certainly slacken and they will frequently handle matters carelessly in ways that cannot be predicted. We therefore request that the above measures be implemented.
However, if investigations are conducted as stated in the main text, since thieves rely on pawners somewhere, this would naturally lead to connections and could assist in capturing thieves.
We have stated our thoughts regarding the above inquiry. If assistance can be established for investigations of stolen goods to be thorough, stolen items will gradually decrease and this would be a good method for maintaining order. We therefore request that you consult thoroughly with city and rural authorities. Please advocate for this matter as appropriate. The above.
11th month of the Year of the Monkey Kataoka Tsuzukuzo
Yamada Gorozaemon
To: Miki Chozaemon-sama
Sasakura Zenjibei-sama
Naito Anzo-sama