not grant to all the other
inhabitants of the Province.'

6. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO ALL THE SUBORDINATE GOVERNORS OF
THE PRAEFECTURE[818].

[Footnote 818: 'Universis Praefecturae titulos administrantibus.']

[Sidenote: General instructions to subordinate Governors.]

'The exhortations addressed to you by the inborn piety of our Lords
ought to suffice; but nevertheless, that we may be doubly assured, we
will address to you our threats against all who shall wield their
power unrighteously. Cease from avarice, from arrogance, from
venality. What will your money avail you when the day of inquisition
comes? _We_ shall not be tempted by it. Let it be clearly understood
that we shall not sell pardons to unjust Judges, but shall hunt them
to their ruin.

'But all you, good and honest rulers, continue to serve the State
without fear. No rival will buy your offices over your heads; you are
secure in your seats so long as you do well, until the time fixed by
our Lords expires. Be earnest, therefore, that my good deeds may be
imitated and receive their due meed of praise in your persons.'

7. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO THE TAX-COLLECTOR OF THE VENETIAN
PROVINCE[819].

[Footnote 819: 'Canonicario Venetiarum.']

[Sidenote: Remission of taxes on account of invasion by the Suevi.]

'A good Sovereign will always exert himself to repair fortuitous
disasters, and will allow those who have paid their taxes punctually
in prosperity, considerable liberty in times of barbaric invasion. On
this ground, and on account of the incursions of the Suevi, the King
grants for this year, the fifteenth Indiction[820], a discharge of all
claims by the Fiscus preferred against A and B. And in all similar
cases where you shall be satisfied that the property has really been
laid waste by those Barbarians, you are at liberty to remit the taxes
for this Indiction. Afterwards you will use all the ordinary methods,
in order that you may be able to pay over the stipulated sum to the
Royal Treasurer. But meanwhile the poor cultivator has the best of all
arguments against paying you, namely, that he has nothing left him
wherewith to pay. Thus is his calamity his best voucher for
payment[821]; and we do not wish that he who has been already alarmed
by the arms of the robber should further tremble at the official robe
of the civil servant[822].

[Footnote 820: Sept. 1, 536, to Sept. 1, 537.]

[Footnote 821: 'Validas contra te apocha