Let it be contingent on

Question

"The matter shall be investigated in due course by the [local] council, in the presence of the warden and foreman of the aforesaid trade and of other tradesmen, then communicated in writing by means of round robin and judicial report to the royal abode of imperial majesty. Let it be contingent on His Highness’s views to have this request for information finely written in an illustrious order. Once His fortunate Excellency shall be cognizant thereof, the order shall belong to my illustrious Sultan."(Ebru Boyar and Kate Fleet (eds), Making a Living in Ottoman Anatolia)

I couldn't figure the emphasized sentence out, can you rephrase it for me?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

alibey1917I couldn't figure the emphasized sentence out, can you rephrase it for me?

This seems to be flowery, courtly, ceremonial, lawyerly, formulaic language for addressing the Sultan. I've never seen anything quite like it. The groveling appeals of Parliament to the English King that I've seen pale in comparison. It's a translation, too. I can only guess what it means. The Sultan is addressed in the third person, it seems.

"Let it be contingent on His Highness’s views"

Rather than make an outright request and have it sound like a command, the writer relinquishes all control of the matter to the Sultan. The Sultan's opinion (views) will decide the matter. If anything is done (let it be), it will depend upon (be contingent on) the Sultan's considered decision (His Highness's views).

"to have this request for information finely written in an illustrious order."

This looks purely formulaic. "Finely" and "illustrious" are included for obsequiousness.

If I had to paraphrase it in modern English, which is not really possible given the relative positions of the communicators, it might be something like "Your Highness's judgment will decide whether to order the information divulged."

Let it be contingent on

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