n order to get Paolo Orsino to
treat with him at Imola, Caesar sent Cardinal Borgia to the confederates
as a hostage; and on this Paolo Orsino hesitated no longer, and on the
25th of October, 1502, arrived at Imola.

Caesar received him as an old friend from whom one might have been
estranged a few days because of some slight passing differences; he
frankly avowed that all the fault was no doubt on his side, since he had
contrived to alienate men who were such loyal lords and also such brave
captains; but with men of their nature, he added, an honest, honourable
explanation such as he would give must put everything once more in statu
quo. To prove that it was goodwill, not fear, that brought him back to
them, he showed Orsino the letters from Cardinal Amboise which announced
the speedy arrival of French troops; he showed him those he had collected
about him, in the wish, he declared, that they might be thoroughly
convinced that what he chiefly regretted in the whole matter was not so
much the loss of the distinguished captains who were the very soul of his
vast enterprise, as that he had led the world to believe, in a way so
fatal to his own interest, that he could for a single instant fail to
recognise their merit; adding that he consequently relied upon him, Paolo
Orsino, whom he had always cared for most, to bring back the confederates
by a peace which would be as much for the profit of all as a war was
hurtful to all, and that he was ready to sign a treaty in consonance with
their wishes so long as it should not prejudice his own honour.

Orsino was the man Caesar wanted: full of pride and confidence in
himself, he was convinced of the truth of the old proverb that says, "A
pope cannot reign eight days, if he has hath the Colonnas and the Orsini
against him." He believed, therefore, if not in Caesar's good faith, at
any rate in the necessity he must feel for making peace; accordingly he
signed with him the following conventions--which only needed
ratification--on the 18th of October, 1502, which we reproduce here as
Macchiavelli sent them to the magnificent republic of Florence.

"Agreement between the Duke of Valentinois and the Confederates.

"Let it be known to the parties mentioned below, and to all who shall see
these presents, that His Excellency the Duke of Romagna of the one part
and the Orsini of the other part, together with their confederates,
desiring to put an end to differences, enmities, misunders