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

20. King Theoderic to Aliulf the Saio [a royal agent or officer]. [1] We have learned that along both banks of the Po timber suitable for building warships [dromones] is to be found, and therefore by this present command we delegate to you that, according to the arrangement of the magnificent men Abundantius the praetorian prefect and Wilia the count of the patrimony, you should proceed without delay to the designated places together with the craftsmen, and that, whether the timber be found on royal land or on private land, you should see to it that it is procured without any delay, since we believe it burdensome to no one to furnish what, with God's help, is being prepared for the common benefit. [2] But we wish you to carry out what has been enjoined in such a way that nothing seems to be sought with deliberate intent to injure the owner, but that only those things which are necessary be requisitioned for the sake of our advantage. Let nothing be demanded from the owner which is not afterward declared to have been received for the public account. We order that woodland timber be cut, not that anything be violently cut away from the property of others. Such things benefit us as cannot burden our subjects, things which, if the present occasion were not requiring them, the owner would believe he did not even possess. [3] On the rivers Mincio, Oglio, Auser, Tiber, and Arno we have learned that certain persons have obstructed the course of the river with fences [or weirs], so far as concerns the pursuit of navigation. This we wish you, by the arrangement of the magnificent man Abundantius the praetorian prefect, to do away with in every way, nor should you permit anyone to presume upon any such thing further, but let the channel be left intact for the passage of ships' courses. For we know that fishing is to be done with nets, not with fences. For from this too a detestable greed is betrayed, that a man hastens to enclose for himself alone as much as might have come to the use of many.

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.