Letter 7002: Formula of the Governorship.

II. FORMULA OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR [praeses, a provincial governor]. [1] Antiquity discerned prudently in every way that the dignities of the provinces should be renewed by yearly succession, so that no one man might grow insolent through long-continued power, and so that the advancement of many might find its joys. For it is enough for each man to have departed praised, since, while a long term of power is sought, the reproaches of faults are not avoided. For it is remarkable to escape these even within a short span, since they frequently creep up even upon those who withdraw from the magistracy [fasces, the rods symbolizing official authority] in haste. A whole year suffices both to make manifest the goods of a clear conscience and more easily guards itself from error. Let it be your intention to undertake the administration of a single year: it is ours to increase the time for those who deserve it, since we do not readily wish to remove those whom we perceive to be just. [2] Therefore, invited by the character of your conduct, in that indiction [the fifteen-year tax cycle] we grant you the office of governor in such-and-such a province, with the divine favor propitious, so that you ought to act in such a way that the landowner may seem to render us thanks together with his tribute. Follow the good examples of your predecessors: separate yourself from imitation of the corrupt: let not every custom be thought worthy of approval. The error of another ought to render a man cautious, not compliant. He who follows what has been accused betrays the fault of folly. But that course is the better choice from which the reputation of one's predecessor is praised with admiration. [3] Consider with how many noblemen the province is filled. You have those who both ought to speak well of you and may presume to disparage you, since there is no power that can take away the quality of its own reputation from the mouths of men. On the contrary, what a benefit it is to pass through neighboring provinces with a praiseworthy reputation and there to find truest praise, where you do not command by power! It is added, that we do not leave it unrewarded, if we hear that you have acted commendably. Shun vice, and you earn the affection of the prince. You have the royal will in the laws: obey them, and you will be recognized as fulfilling our commands.

II. FORMULA PRAESIDATUS. [1] Prudenter omnimodis inspexit antiquitas provinciarum dignitates annua successione reparari, ut nec diutina potestate unus insolesceret et multorum provectus gaudia reperirent. sufficit enim unicuique discessisse laudatum, quia dum tempus potestatis prolixum quaeritur, culparum obprobria non vitantur. illa enim vel in brevitate declinare mirabile est, dum frequenter et his subrepunt, qui a fascibus sub velocitate discedunt. annus universus et ad declaranda conscientiae bona sufficit et facilius se ab errore custodit. sit in vestro proposito amministrationem unius anni suscipere: nostrum est merentibus tempus augere, quia non facile removere cupimus quos iustos esse sentimus. [2] Idcirco conversationis tuae moribus invitati per illam indictionem praesidatum tibi in illa provincia propitia divinitate concedimus, ut sic debeas agere, quemadmodum nobis possessor gratias cum tributis videatur exsolvere. decessorum bona exempla sequere: a vitiosorum te imitatione disiunge: non putetur omnis consuetudo probabilis. cautum debut reddere, non sequacem error alienus. prodit stultitiae culpam, qui sequitur accusatum. sed illud melius eligitur, unde praecedentis opinio sub ammiratione laudatur. [3] Respice quantis sit provincia plena nobilibus. habes qui et bene de te loqui debeant et derogare praesumant, quia nulla potestas est, quae qualitatem famae suae de ore hominum possit auferre. contra qui fructus est opinione praedicabili per confines ire provincias et ibi invenire verissimam laudem, ubi non imperas potestate! additur, quod inremuneratum non relinquimus, si te egisse probabiliter audiamus. horre vitium et principis mereris affectum. voluntatem regiam in legibus habes: illis obtempera et nostra cognosceris implere mandata.