Letter 7033: Who could doubt that it is in the public interest for those to whom we have given gifts to suffer no hardship on...

From: Cassiodorus (formula template) To: [Officials along the route -- travel warrants for foreign ambassadors] Date: ~522 AD Context: Template for issuing travel warrants and provisions to foreign ambassadors leaving the Ostrogothic court. Who could doubt that it is in the public interest for those to whom we have given gifts to suffer no hardship on their journey? Their delays cost you nothing, and they will know they were well treated. Therefore, provide the hospitality listed below and the specified number of horses to the ambassadors of the named nation without any delay. They must not arrive home without due provision, because for those eager to return, speed in the journey matters more than any size of gift.

XXXIII. FORMULA TRACTORIAE LEGATORUM DIVERSARUM GENTIUM. [1] Quis dubitet utilitatis publicae interesse rationem, ut, quibus nos constat dona conferre, nullam videantur itineris iniuriam sustinere, quando nec vobis morarum detrimenta faciunt et illi se bene habitos fuisse cognoscunt? atque ideo humanitatem subter annexam vel ad equos capitum definitum illius gentis legatis sine aliqua tarditate praestabitis, quatenus ad sedes suas inremunerati non debeant pervenire, quia festinantibus gratior est celeritas in redeundo quam quaelibet munerum magnitudo.