DCCLXXIV (A XVI, 16 b)
TO GNAEUS MUNATIUS PLANCUS (AT
ROME)
JULY
I have already written to request you1 that the cause of
the Buthrotians having received the approval of
the consuls, to whom authority had been given both
by a law and a senatorial decree, "that they
should investigate, determine, and decide on
Caesar's acta," you would support that decision
and relieve both our friend Atticus—whom
I know you to be anxious to serve—and
myself, who am no less anxious than he, from all
trouble. For as the whole business has been
completed with much care and much labour, it now
rests with you that we should be able to make as
early an end as possible to our anxiety. Although
I am well aware that a man of your wisdom must see
that, if the decrees of the consuls which have
been delivered as to Caesar's acta are not
observed, a most chaotic state of things will be
the result. The fact is that though many of
Caesar's arrangements—as was inevitable
in the multitude of his occupations—are
not now thought good, I am yet accustomed to
sup-port them with the utmost vigour for the sake
of peace and quietness. I think you ought by all
means to do the same, though this letter is not
meant to persuade but to prefer a request.
Therefore, my dear Plancus, I beg and beseech you
with an earnestness and a heartiness beyond which,
upon my honour, I cannot plead any cause, to carry
on, treat, and settle this business
in such a way that what we have obtained from the
consuls without any hesitation, owing to their
great kindness and the justice of our cause, you
will not only acquiesce, but even rejoice, in our
having secured. What your disposition towards
Atticus is you have often shewn him to his face,
as well as myself. If you do this you will have
put me—always closely allied to you by
personal feeling and inherited friendship-under
the greatest possible obligation. I ask you
earnestly and repeatedly to do so.
JULY
