Четири писма из 1450. и 1451. године о промету дубровачке робе према Босни
Four Letters from 1450 and 1451 on the Traffic of Ragusan Merchandise towards Bosnia

Summary/Abstract: The paper represents a critical edition of four original letters from the State Archives of Venice from 1450 and 1451, concerning the issue of trafficking of Ragusan merchandise in Bosnia, through the Venetian port of Split. The Ragusans, whose usual route to Bosnia was cut off because of a conflict with duke Stefan (Stjepan) Vukčić Kosača, asked Donato Barbara, count of Split, to inform them whether, and under which conditions, they could export their goods (only cloth from various Italian cities – Venice, Mantua, Verona, Vicenza, and from Dubrovnik, as these cities were specifically listed) in Bosnia through the Venetian territory. Barbaro allowed them transit, subject to payment of tariffs according to old customs – one ducat per one load of cloth, and, for other goods,at the discretion of customs officers. The Ragusans had to promise not to sell anything in Split, and that the permit would only refer to their merchants and only to goods directed to Bosnia. Intending to confirm the validity of his decision with higher authorities Barbaro wrote to the Doge, announcing his preliminary decision and seeking further advice. Although he expressed his belief that such traffic of goods would be conducted to the benefit of the Republic of St. Mark, he did not receive any reply for months. After the ninth month had passed since he had written his first letter, the count of Split wrote to the Doge once more. In his new letter he was concerned, fearing that his original decision might have been to the detriment of the interests of Venice. However, it is currently unknown whether central authorities subsequently wrote him back. The paper, along with the text and the translation, includes comments on the circumstances of the creation of the documents and their content,description of the letters themselves, as well as a short diplomatical analysis.

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