DCCCXXX (F X, 8)
L. MUNATIUS PLANCUS TO THE
MAGISTRATES
AND SENATE
GALLIA COMATA (23 MARCH) PLANCUS, imperator,
consul-designate, greets the Consuls, praetors,
tribunes of the plebs, the senate, the people and
commons of Rome. In case
anyone thinks that I have kept public expectation
and the hopes of the state as to my disposition
too long in suspense, I think I must offer an
explanation to such a man before proceeding to
promise anything to anybody as to my future
services. For I do not wish to have the appearance
of having made up for a previous error, but to be
delivering in the fullness of time the
long-cherished sentiments of a loyal heart. It did
not escape me that at a time of such profound
public anxiety and such great political confusion
the profession of loyal sentiments is a most
profitable thing to make, and I saw that a
considerable number of people had secured high
honours by that means. But since fortune had
brought me to such a pass as to force me to choose
between making premature promises, and thereby of
my own act raising up formidable obstacles to the
accomplishment of any useful service, or putting a
restraint upon myself in that respect, and thereby
having better opportunities of rendering aid, I
chose a course better calculated to secure the
public safety than my own reputation. For who is
there that in the high position I at present
enjoy, and after a life such as I think the world
knows mine to have been, and with the prospects
which I actually possess, could submit to anything
degrading or set his heart upon anything likely to
be mischievous? But I required a considerable
time, heavy labours, and great expense in order
finally to make good my promises to the Republic
and all loyal citizens, and in order not to
approach the task of aiding my
country with no equipment except good intentions,
but with the requisite resources. I had to secure
the loyalty of my army, which had been often
tampered with by the offer of great bounties, and
to persuade it to look to the state for moderate
rewards, rather than to a single person for
unlimited ones. The loyalty also of numerous
tribes had to be secured, which in the previous
year 1 had been laid
under obligations by bounties and grants of
compensations; and they had to be convinced that
such rewards were shadowy, and that they must try
to obtain the same privileges from more
constitutional sources. I had also to sound the
intentions of the other commanders of neighbouring
provinces and armies, and induce them to join me
in championing freedom in conjunction with the
majority,' rather than that we should share with
the minority a victory disastrous to the world at
large. Moreover, I had to take precautions for my
own safety by increasing my army and multiplying
the number of my auxiliaries, in order that, while
making no secret of my sentiments, I might yet
incur no danger by its being publicly known, even
though some objected, which side I meant to
embrace. Accordingly, I shall never deny that, in
order to arrive at the accomplishment of these
designs, I have, contrary to my inclinations,
pretended to feelings that I did not entertain,
and with pain dissembled those that I did. For I
saw from what had befallen my colleague the danger
of a premature revelation of intentions by a loyal
but unprepared citizen. On
this account I have given my legate Gaius
Furnius—a gallant and energetic
officer-still fuller instructions by word of mouth
than are contained in this despatch, to the end
that they might reach you with greater secrecy,
and I might remain in greater security. And I have
instructed him as to what is required for
strengthening the public safety and properly
equipping myself. And from this it may be
understood that the care of the defence of our
country's highest interests has not for long past
been suffered to sleep in my breast.
By the blessing of heaven we are now in a better
state of preparation in every particular, and we
wish all the world not merely to have good hopes,
but to feel certain, of us. I have five legions
under colours, united by their own loyalty and
excellence to the Republic with the most absolute
fidelity, and at 'the same time devoted to me in
response to my liberal treatment of them. I have a
province in the best possible state from the
unanimous consent of all its tribes, and inspired
by the keenest emulation in its display of
loyalty. My cavalry and auxiliary, forces are as
numerous as the tribes in this country can raise
in defence of their own safety and liberty. For
myself I am fully prepared either to defend my
province, or to go wheresoever the Republic calls
me, or to hand over army, auxiliaries, and
province. Or I would not even decline to bear the
whole brunt of the war in my own person, provided
that by my own disaster I might secure the safety
of my country or delay its danger. I am making
these promises when all difficulties have been
already solved, and the political crisis is over,
I shall rejoice in the benefit to my country,
though I thereby lose my chance of earning
reputation. But if I am to find myself involved in
a share of dangers still at their most unabated
height, I commend the defence of my policy to,
impartial judges against the detraction of the
envious. As for the reward of my own services,
that is sufficiently secured in the safety of the
state. Yet I think I ought to ask you to regard as
commended to your consideration those who have
followed my lead, and still more their duty to
you, and have been proof against the deception of
any promises or the terror of any threats.
AND SENATE
