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Correspondence With The Emperor TrajanPart XI
Part XI
CI
To the Emperor Trajan
We have celebrated, Sir, with great joy and festivity, those votive
solemnities which were publicly proclaimed as formerly, and renewed them the
present year, accompanied by the soldiers and provincials, who zealously
joined with us in imploring the gods that they would be graciously pleased to
preserve you and the republic in that state of prosperity which your many and
great virtues, particularly your piety and reverence towards them, so justly
merit.
CII
Trajan to Pliny
It was agreeable to me to learn by your letter that the army and the
provincials seconded you, with the most joyful unanimity, in those vows which
you paid and renewed to the immortal gods for my preservation and prosperity.
CIII
To the Emperor Trajan
We have celebrated, with all the warmth of that pious zeal we justly
ought, the day on which, by a most happy succession, the protection of mankind
was committed over into your hands; recommending to the gods, from whom you
received the empire, the object of your public vows and congratulations.
CIV
Trajan to Pliny
I was extremely well pleased to be informed by your letter that you had,
at the head of the soldiers and the provincials, solemnized my accession to
the empire with all due joy and zeal.
CV
To the Emperor Trajan
Valerius Paulinus, Sir, having bequeathed to me the right of patronage^1
over all his freedmen, except one, I entreat you to grant the freedom of Rome
to three of them. To desire you to extend this favour to all of them would, I
fear, be too unreasonable a trespass upon your indulgence; which, in
proportion as I have amply experienced, I ought to be so much the more
cautious in troubling. The persons for whom I make this request are C.
Valerius Astraeus, C. Valerius Dionysius, and C. Valerius Aper.
[Footnote 1: By the Papian law, which passed in the consulship of M. Papius
Mutilus and Q. Poppeas Secundus, u.c. 761, if a freedman died worth a hundred
thousand sesterces (or about $4,000 of our money), leaving only one child, his
patron (that is, the master from whom he received his liberty) was entitled to
half his estate; if he left two children, to one-third; but if more than two,
then the patron was absolutely excluded. This was afterwards altered by
Justinian, Inst. l. iii., tit. 8. M.]
CVI
Trajan to Pliny
You act most generously in so early soliciting in favour of those whom
Valerius Paulinus has confided to your trust. I have accordingly granted the
freedom of the city to such of his freedmen for whom you requested it, and
have directed the patent to be registered: I am ready to confer the same on
the rest, whenever you shall desire me.
CVII
To the Emperor Trajan
P. Attius Aquila, a centurion of the sixth equestrian cohort, requested
me, Sir, to transmit his petition to you, in favour of his daughter. I thought
it would be unkind to refuse him this service, knowing, as I do, with what
patience and kindness you attend to the petitions of the soldiers.
CVIII
Trajan to Pliny
I have read the petition of P. Attius Aquila, centurion of the sixth
equestrian cohort, which you sent to me; and in compliance with his request, I
have conferred upon his daughter the freedom of the city of Rome. I send you
at the same time the patent, which you will deliver to him.
CIX
To the Emperor Trajan
I request, Sir, your directions with respect to the recovering those
debts which are due to the cities of Bithynia and Pontus, either for rent, or
goods sold, or upon any other consideration. I find they have a privilege,
conceded to them by several proconsuls, of being preferred to other creditors;
and this custom has prevailed as if it had been established by law. Your
prudence, I imagine, will think it necessary to enact some settled rule, by
which their rights may always be secured. For the edicts of others, how wisely
soever founded, are but feeble and temporary ordinances, unless confirmed and
sanctioned by your authority.
CX
Trajan to Pliny
The right which the cities either of Pontus or Bithynia claim relating to
the recovery of debts of whatever kind, due to their several communities, must
be determined agreeably to their respective laws. Where any of these
communities enjoy the privilege of being preferred to other creditors, it must
be maintained; but, where no such privilege prevails, it is not just I should
establish one, in prejudice of private property.
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