LETTER XIX.

[A. U. 709.]

BRUTUS AND CASSIUS, PRÆTORS, TO ANTONY, CONSUL.

THE letter we have received from you is altogether agreeable to your late contumelious and menacing edict, and by no means becoming you to have written to us. We have in no sort, Antony, given you any just provocation; nor could we have imagined, that you would look upon it as any thing extraordinary, if, invested as we are with the high authority of prætors, we thought proper, in a public manifesto, to signify our requests to the consul. But if it raises your indignation that we presumed to take this liberty as prætors, allow us to lament

*The prætors could not legally absent themselves from Rome for above ten days, unless they obtained a special dispensation from the senate for that purpose. Brutus and Cassius, therefore, not thinking it safe to trust themselves in the city, published a sort of manifesto, directed to Antony, as consul, requesting him to move the senate for this licence in their favour. Antony, instead of complying with their request, seems to have answered it by publishing a manifesto on his part, which was followed, likewise, by a private letter, that produced the present epistle.

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that you should not indulge us in it, at least, as

friends.

We receive it as an instance of your justice, that you deny ever having complained of our levying troops and contributions, and making applications to the armies, both at home and abroad, to rise in our defence; a charge, which we likewise disavow in every particular. We cannot but wonder, however, since you were silent this head, that you should be so little able to command yourself upon another, as to reproach us with the death of Cæsar.

upon

We leave it to your own reflections to determine what sentiments it ought to create in us, that the prætors of Rome, in order to preserve the tranquillity and liberties of the commonwealth, cannot publish a manifesto, declaring their desire of retiring from the execution of their office, without being insulted by the consul. 'Tis in vain, however, that you would intimidate us by your arms; for it would ill become the spirit we have shown, to be discouraged by dangers of any kind. As little should Antony attempt to usurp an authority over those, to whom he is himself indebted for the liberty he enjoys. To the free and independent, the menaces

of

any man are perfectly impotent. Had we a design, therefore, of having recourse to arms, your letter would be altogether ineffectual to deter us from our purpose. But you are well convinced,

that no consideration can prevail with us to rekindle the flames of a civil war; and, perhaps, you artfully threw out these menaces, in order to persuade the world that our pacific measures are the effect, not of choice, but timidity.

To speak plainly our sentiments; we wish to see you raised to the highest honours, but to honours that are conferred by a free republic. It is our desire, likewise, not to engage with you in any contests; but we must add, that the possession of our liberties is of far higher value, in our esteem, than the enjoyment of your friendship. Well consider what you undertake, and how far you may be able to carry it into execution; reflecting, not how many years Cæsar was permitted to live, but how short a period he was suffered to reign. * In the mean while, we implore the gods to inspire you with such counsels as may tend to the advantage both of yourself, and of the commonwealth. But, should they prove otherwise, we wish that the consequence may be as little detrimental to your own

* Cæsar did not continue longer than five months in the peaceable enjoyment of his usurpation; for he returned to Rome, from the conquest of Pompey's sons in Spain, in the month of October 708, and was assassinated in the March following. Vel. Paterc. ii. 56,

interest, as shall be consistent with the dignity and safety of the republic.

I HAD left Rome, and was actually on my voyage to Greece, when I was recalled by the general

* Some general account of Plancus has already been given in Vol. III. p. 122, note. In the beginning of the present year he was appointed, by Cæsar, governor of the farther Gaul; where he now was, at the head of three legions. He is said, during his residence in that province, to have founded the city of Lyons. Upon the death of Cæsar, to whom he had been warmly attached, Cicero employed all his art to engage him on the side of the senate; and Plancus, after much hesitation, at length declared himself accordingly: But this declaration seems to have been entirely the effect of a belief, that the rupture between Antony and the senate was upon the point of being accommodated. It is certain, at least, that it was not sincere; for Plancus, soon afterwards, betrayed the cause he had thus professed to support, and went over with his troops to Antony Pigh. Annal. ii. 465. Senec. Ep. 91. Vel. Paterc. ii. 63.—See the last note on Let. 18. of Book xv.

voice of the republic; * but the conduct of Marc Antony, ever since my return, has not permitted me to enjoy a moment of repose. The ferocity,

*The principal motive of Cicero's intended voyage into Greece, was in order to avoid the danger of taking part in a civil war, which he apprehended would soon break out between Antony and young Pompey; the latter being expected from Spain, at the head of a considerable army. But, as his leaving Italy at so critical and important a conjuncture might justly expose him to the censure of unworthily deserting the republic, he was long and greatly embarrassed between the desire of preserving his character on the one side, and of securing his person on the other; the two points which seem, throughout his whole life, to have held him in perpetual suspense. However, he at length embarked; but he no sooner sailed, than he repented, as usual, of the step he had taken. Nevertheless, he pursued his voyage, and arrived in Sicily, from whence he proposed to stretch over into Greece; but, in attempting this passage, he was blown back by contrary winds on the coast of Italy. Upon his going ashore, in order to refresh himself, he was informed, by some of the principal inhabitants of that part of the country who were just arrived from Rome, that there were great hopes Antony would accommodate affairs to the general satisfaction of all parties. This news was followed by a letter from Atticus, pressing him to renounce his intended voyage, as also by an interview with Brutus, who likewise expressed his disapprobation of that scheme. Upon these considerations, therefore, he gave up all farther thoughts of Greece, and immediately returned to Rome.Vid. Ad Att. xiv. 13, 22. xv. 19, 20, 21, 33. xvi. 6, 7.