Letter 5020: We have learned that timber suitable for building warships can be found along both banks of the River Po.

We have learned that timber suitable for building warships can be found along both banks of the River Po. We therefore assign you by the present order to proceed without delay to the designated locations with the craftsmen, in accordance with the arrangements of the distinguished Abundantius, Praetorian Prefect, and Wilia, Count of the Royal Patrimony. Whether the timber is found on royal estates or on private land, see to it that it is procured without any delay, since we believe no one should find it burdensome to provide what is being prepared, with God's help, for the common good. We do wish, however, that you carry out your orders in such a way that nothing is zealously sought out to the harm of the landowner. Only what is needed for our purposes should be taken. Nothing should be demanded from an owner that is not afterward acknowledged as received for public use. We order wild timber to be cut...

XX. ALIULFO SAIONI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Per utramque ripam Padi reperiri ligna comperimus fabricandis apta dromonibus, ideoque tibi praesenti iussione delegamus, ut secundum ordinationem magnificorum virorum Abundantii praefecti praetorio atque VViliae comitis patrimonii ad loca designata cum artificibus incunctanter accedas et, sive in domo regia seu in privata reperta fuerint, sine aliqua facies tarditate procurari, quia nulli grave credimus praebere, quod deo auxiliante pro communi utilitate praeparatur. [2] Verum ita volumus te iniuncta peragere, ut nihil ad laedendum possessorem studiose videatur inquiri, sed tantum quae sunt necessaria utilitatis nostrae causa praesumantur. non exquiratur aliqiud a domino, quod postea publico non dicatur acceptum. ligna silvestria iubemus caedi, non aliquid de alienis facultatibus violenter abscidi. talia nobis prosunt, qualia nostros gravare non possunt, quae, si causa praesens non exquireret, ille se crederet non habere. [3] In Mincio Ollio Ausere Tiberi et Arno fluminibus comperimus quosdam saepibus cursum fluminis, quantum ad navigandi studium pertinet, incidisse. quod te volumus ordinatione magnifici viri Abundantii praefecti praetorio modis omnibus amputare, nec tale aliquid permittatis quemquam ultra praesumere, sed inviolati alvei tractus navium relinquatur excursibus. scimus enim retibus, non saepibus esse piscandum. nam hinc quoque detestabilis aviditas proditur, ut sibi tantum festinet includere, quantum ad multos poterat pervenire.