Letter 7028: We are confident this will please you: when we send judges for your military unit, you are able to perform your...

XXVIII. FORMULA FOR THE COMMANDERS OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE ABOVE-WRITTEN COMITIVA [the office of count mentioned above]. [1] We are confident that it is pleasing to you when we appoint judges over your service, since you then carry on your ranks precisely as often as the presence of one who judges is not lacking to you. These names belong to the understanding only in relation to one another: if you take away the presiding officer, you do not leave a soldier behind; for the office of attendance is abolished whenever he who could give orders is done away with. To you, therefore, we grant this exercise of office, while we direct dignities toward you and make you bear arms for just so long as we appoint judges; and do not believe this a slight benefit, that, although you yourselves are the body of attendants, the choice of those who shall take cognizance of cases is provided for you. [2] And therefore know that, for the said indiction, such-and-such a man has been appointed as count of your service. We think that he will so conduct himself both in public and in private matters that the praise which is wished for may accompany him. Lending to him your most just devotion, obey solemnly in those things which he shall have commanded you, because we believe that our reverence is honored if we perceive that our judges are well treated.

XXVIII. FORMULA PRINCIPIBUS MILITUM COMITIVAE S(UPRA) S(CRIPTAE). [1] Gratum vobis esse confidimus, quando militiae vestrae iudices destinamus, quia tunc ordines vestros agitis, quotiens vobis non defuerit praesentia iudicantis. relativa ista intellectui sunt nomina: si praesulem ademeris, militem non relinquis: apparitio enim tollitur, quotiens qui iubere poterat abrogatur. vobis ergo actum cedimus, dum ad vos dirigimus dignitates et tam diu vos militare facimus, donec iudices destinamus: nec istud leve credatis beneficium, ut cum vos sitis obsequium, vobis occurrat electio cognitorum. [2] Et ideo per indictionem illam illum comitem militiae vestrae cognoscite destinatum. quem ita acturum esse putamus tam in causis publicis quam privatis, ut cum laus optata comitetur. cui devotionem iustissimam commodantes in his quae vobis praeceperit sollemniter oboedite, quia reverentiam nostram honoratam esse credimus, si bene habitos nostros iudices sentiamus.