Letter 7021: Although ancient custom has directed that the collection of the bina et terna taxes should fall to your office,...

21. FORMULA CONCERNING THE TWOFOLD AND THREEFOLD PAYMENTS, IF THEY ARE TRANSACTED THROUGH THE OFFICE. [1] Although ancient custom has ordered that the exaction of the twofold and threefold payments should pertain to you, nevertheless, lest manifold occupation weigh you down and a doubled anxiety create hindrances for you, we have judged that so-and-so and so-and-so, record-keepers [scriniarii, clerks of the registry] of our office, should be assigned, so that they may be diligently attentive to you and to your office, to the end that, with their assistance, before the day of the Kalends of March the customary sum may be conveyed to the illustrious gentleman so-and-so, count of the sacred largesses [comes sacrarum largitionum, the imperial treasury official], lest you be made answerable to public censure if you should think that the sacred largesses are to be delayed by any postponement. So you are not to suppose that you are to be exempted, you whom we have believed ought to be assisted. For if anything less than what was proper has been brought in, know that this is to be exacted from your own resources.

XXI. FORMULA BINORUM ET TERNORUM, SI PER OFFICIUM AGANTUR. [1] Quamvis prisca consuetudo binorum et ternorum exactionem ad te iusserit pertinere, tamen, ne te multiplex occupatio praegravaret et impedimenta tibi faceret sollicitudo geminata, illum et illum scriniarios officii nostri duximus destinandos, ut tibi officioque tuo debeant imminere, quatenus cum eorum solacio intra kal. Martiarum diem ad illustrem virum illum comitem sacrarum largitionum sollemnis quantitas deferatur, ne opinionis publicae reus efficiaris, si largitiones sacras per moram aliquam putaveris esse tardandas. ita ut te excipiendum esse non existimes, quem nos credidimus adiuvandum. nam si quid minus fuerit quam oportebat illatum, de tuis hoc noveris facultatibus eruendum.