We list this document here, although we do not consider it to be a letter from Melanchthon to Luther, because it is described as such in Corp. Vol. IV, 570, and in Burkhardt, p. 392 (in a regest). But Melanchthon himself, in a letter to Justus Jonas of July 23 (darnach our determination of time), calls it "a little story (Ki8torioluln), which contains the short epitome of the actions." In ManIius, farrago, p. 3, it has the superscription: Historia conventius Ratisbonensis, Anno 1541, mense Martio. In Peucer, Mel. select. epist., p. 55, it has the superscription: D. Marrtino Luthero, but he also added: De conventu Ratisbonensi, Anno 1541, ru6ii86 Murtio. That this document is not a letter to Luther, we have another strong testimony: Already on May 24, 1541, Melanchthon sent the first half of it to Duke Albrecht of Prussia, headed: Historia Conventus Ratisponensis; reprinted in Corp. Ref. vol. IV, 330.
1) Cf. no. 2791.
(Wittenberg.) No. 2818. end of July 1541.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Luther reports that a lection is now vacant with which M. Sachse can be supplied.
The original is in the Weimar Archives. Printed in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 95, no. 177; in Walch, vol. XXI, 446; in De Wette, vol. V, p. 385 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 325 f.
To the most illustrious, highborn Prince and Lord, Johann Friedrich, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshal and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen and Burgrave of Magdeburg. R. Reichs Erzmarschall und Churfürsten, Landgrafen in Thüringen, Markgrafen zu Meißen und Burggrafen zu Magdeburg, my most gracious Lord.
Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! Recently, E. C. F. G. wrote to my humble intercession and ordered that, as soon as a lection would be vacant, it should be assigned to M. Johann Sachsen from Holstein, because the lection of M. Fach would already have been conferred. Hereupon I humbly inform E. C. F. G. that certainly one lesson is vacant, and as I have been reported, has long been vacant; also that one master provides both lessons, namely the Greek and Latin. This shall be done according to this good opinion (as I hear), that the same master does not take the pay of both lessons, but collects the pay of the one lesson for the benefit of the Fisco of the university.
But be that as it may, there is certainly one lecture left, be it the Latin or the Greek. But what the reasons are that it cannot yet be given to this Magister Holstein, I do not know. For this reason, my humble request is that E. C. F. G. would earnestly order the university to remain at the foundation, and that E. C. F. G.'s next order is to have the single lection follow M. Holstein; for he and I also rely on E. C. F. G.'s next gracious letter. Hiemit dem lieben GOtte befohlen, Amen.
Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther.
Reply from the previous letter, concerning the supply of M. Sachse.
From Reg. O, lit. A A fol. 125 (no date) in the Weimar archives printed by Burkhardt, p. 392.
Letters from the year 1541. No. 2819. 2819a. 2820.
U[nsern] G[ruß] before. Venerable and reverend, dear devotee! We have received and graciously read your letter from Magister Sachsen, and are writing to our university, as you will perceive from the enclosed copy 1), and we want to make sure that they will obediently comply with our order (beuelichs). We have not wished to conceal this from you in your gracious opinion, and are inclined to you with grace and good. Date.
No. 2819a.
Early August 1541.