The accession of the Koprzywnica estate to the Land Credit Society as an exemplification of the financial difficulties of land estates in the Kingdom of Poland in the first Half of the 19th century

Abstract

As a result of the dissolution of some monasteries in 1819, the treasury of the Kingdom of Poland took over considerable land estates, including those belonging to the Cistercians in Koprzywnica. In itself, the seizure of this property was not the purpose of the state administration. They were supposed to provide a source of income for the Government Commission of Religious Denominations and Public Enlightenment. However, to maintain profitability at the appropriate level, it was necessary to provide funds for the modernization and expansion of these lands. Given the contemporary realities, the only source from which the necessary funds could be obtained was the Land Credit Society. The process of applying for a loan for the Koprzywnica estate, which the administration has gone through, perfectly reflects the requirements which those who had decided to apply to the LCS had to face. And all of this despite the fact, that these lands belonged to the state and the central authorities were also actively involved in the entire process. At the same time, when applying for a loan, all shortcomings arising from the fact that the state possessed these goods came to light. As the officials involved in obtaining the loan were not the owners of this property, and their behaviour was strictly defined by the legal framework in which they could operate, from the flow of correspondence between individual institutions there was a certain sluggishness and the expectation of lower instances for decisions of superiors. Nevertheless, obtaining such a significant loan and on such favorable terms can undoubtedly be considered a success of all officials involved. Importantly, this success was measurable and brought the prospect of an increase in the value of goods in the foreseeable future.