BELIEVE me, my Cassius, the republic is the perpetual subject of my meditations; or to express the same thing in other words, you and Marcus Brutus are never out of my thoughts. It is upon you two, indeed, together with Decimus Brutus, that all our hopes depend. Mine are somewhat raised by the glorious conduct of Dolabella, in suppressing the late insurrection: which had spread so wide, and gathered every day such additional strength, that it seemed to threaten destruction to the whole city. But this mob is now so totally quelled, that I think we have nothing farther to fear from any future attempt of the same kind. Many other fears, however, and very considerable ones too, still remain with us: and it entirely rests upon you, in conjunction with your illustrious associates, to remove them. Yet where to advise you to begin for that purpose, I must acknowledge myself at a loss. To say truth, it is the tyrant alone, and not the tyranny, from which we seem to be delivered: for although the man indeed is destroyed, we still servilely maintain all his despotic ordinances. We do more: and under the pretence of carrying his designs into execution, we approve of measures which even he himself would never have pursued. And the misfortune is, that I know not where this extravagance will end. When I reflect on the laws that are enacted, on the immunities that are granted, on the immense largesses that are distributed, on the exiles that are recalled, and on the fictitious decrees that are published, the only effect that seems to have been produced by Caesar's death is, that it has extinguished the sense of our servitude, and the abhorrence of that detestable usurper: as all the disorders into which he threw the republic still continue. These are the evils, therefore, which it is incumbent upon you and your patriot coadjutors to redress: for let not my friends imagine, that they have yet completed their work. The obligations, it is true, which the republic has already received from you, are far greater than I could have ventured to hope: still however her demands are not entirely satisfied; and she promises herself yet higher services from such brave and generous benefactors. You have revenged her injuries, by the death of her oppressor: but you have done nothing more. For tell me, what has she yet recovered of her former dignity and lustre? Does she not obey the will of that tyrant now he is dead, whom she could not endure when living? And do we not, instead of repealing his public laws, authenticate even his private memorandums? You will tell me, perhaps (and you may tell me with truth), that I concurred in passing a decree for that purpose. It was in compliance, however, with public circumstances: a regard to which is of much consequence in political deliberations of every kind. But there are some, however, who have most immoderately and ungratefully abused the concessions we found it thus necessary to make. I hope very speedily to discuss this and many other points with you in person. In the meantime be persuaded, that the affection I have ever borne to my country, as well as my particular friendship to yourself, renders the advancement of your credit and esteem with the public extremely my concern. Farewell. -
TO CAIUS CASSIUS (a Conspirator) (Ad Fam. XII. iii) - [44 B.C.]
THE malignant spirit of your friend breaks out every day with greater and more open violence. To instance, in the first place, the statue which he has lately erected near the rostrum, to Caesar, under which he has inscribed, TO THE EXCELLENT FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY; intimating, that you and your heroic associates are to be considered, not only as assassins, but parricides. In which number I am likewise included: for this outrageous man represents me as the principal adviser and promoter of your most glorious enterprise. Would to heaven the charge were true! for had I been a party in your councils, I should have put it out of his power thus to perplex and embarrass our affairs. But this was a point which depended upon yourselves to determine: and since the opportunity is now over, I can only wish that I were capable of giving you any effectual advice. But the truth is, I am utterly at a loss in what manner to act myself: for to what purpose is resistance, where one cannot oppose force by force?
It is evidently the intent of Caesar's party to revenge his death. And accordingly Antony being on the 2nd of October last presented to the people by Canutius, mentioned the generous deliverers of our country in terms that traitors alone deserve. He scrupled not to assert likewise, that you had acted entirely by my advice; and that Canutius also was under the same influence. He had the mortification, however, to leave the rostrum with great disgrace. In a word, you may judge what are the designs of this faction by their having seized the appointments of your lieutenant: for does not their conduct in this instance sufficiently declare, that they considered this money as going to be remitted to a public enemy? Wretched condition indeed! that we who scorned to submit to a master, should more ignobly crouch to one of our fellow slaves!
Nevertheless, I am still inclined to flatter myself, that we are not quite deprived of all hopes of being delivered by your heroic efforts. But where then, let me ask, are your troops? And with this question I will conclude my letter: as I had rather leave the rest to be suggested by your own reflections, than by mine.
Farewell. -
[44 B.C.]
TO CAIUS CASSIUS (a Conspirator) (Ad Fam. XII. iv) -
OH, that you had invited me to that glorious feast you exhibited on the ides of March! Be assured I would have suffered none of it to have gone off untouched. Whereas the part you unhappily spared, occasions me, above all others, more trouble than you can well imagine. I must acknowledge at the same time, that we have two most excellent consuls: but as to those of consular rank, there is not one of them who does not merit the highest reproach. The senate in general, however, exert themselves with spirit: as the lower order of magistrates distinguish themselves by their singular resolution and zeal. In a word, it is impossible to show a better or more vigorous disposition than appears in the populace, not only of Rome, but throughout all Italy. But Philippus and Piso, on the contrary, whom the senate deputed with peremptory orders to Antony, have executed their commission in a manner that raises our highest indignation. For notwithstanding that Antony refused to comply with every single article of the senate's injunctions, yet these unworthy deputies had the meanness to charge themselves with bringing back the most insolent demands. This behaviour of theirs has occasioned all the world to have recourse to my assistance, and I am become extremely popular, in a way wherein popularity is seldom acquired: I mean by supporting a good cause.
I am altogether ignorant in what part of the world you are at present, as well as of what schemes you are either executing or meditating. A report prevails that you are gone into Syria: but for this we have no certain authority. We can a little more depend upon the accounts we receive of Brutus, as his distance from us is less remote. It has been remarked here by men of some pleasantry, and much indignation against Dolabella, that he has shown himself in too great haste to be your successor: as he is most uncivilly set out to take possession of your government when you have enjoyed it scarce a single month. The case is clear therefore, say they, that Cassius should by no means give him admittance. But to be serious: both you and Brutus are mentioned with the highest applause: as it is generally supposed that each of you has drawn together an army far beyond our expectations.- I would add more, if I knew with certainty the situation of yourself and your affairs: but I hazard this letter merely upon the doubtful credit of common fame. It is with great impatience, therefore, that I wait for better intelligence from your own hand.
Farewell. -
TO TREBONIUS (a Conspirator) (Ad Fam. X. xxviii) - [43 B.C.]
WOULD to Heaven you had invited me to that noble feast which you made on the ides of March: no remnants, most assuredly, should have been left behind. Whereas the part you unluckily spared gives us so much perplexity, that we find something to regret, even in the godlike service which you and your illustrious associates have lately rendered to the republic. To say the truth, when I reflect that it is owing to the favour of so worthy a man as yourself, that Antony now lives to be our general bane, I am sometimes inclined to be a little angry with you for taking him aside when Caesar fell as by this mean you have occasioned more trouble to myself in particular, than to all the rest of the whole community. From the very first moment indeed that Antony's ignominious departure from Rome, had left the senate uncontrolled in its deliberations, I resumed the spirit which you and that inflexible patriot your father were wont to esteem and applaud. Accordingly, the tribunes of the people having summoned the senate to meet on the 20th of December, upon other matters, I seized that opportunity of taking the whole
state of the republic into consideration: and more by the zeal than the eloquence of my speech, I revived the drooping spirits of that oppressed assembly, and awakened in them all their former vigour. It was owing to the ardour with which I thus contended in the debates of this day, that the people of Rome first conceived a hope of recovering their liberties: and to this great point all my thoughts and all my actions have ever since been perpetually directed. Thus important however as my occupations are, I would enter into a full detail of our proceedings, if I did not imagine that public transactions of every kind are transmitted to you by other hands. From them therefore you will receive a more particular information; whilst I content myself with giving you a short and general sketch of our present circumstances and situation. I must inform you then, we have a senate that acts with spirit; but that as to those of consular dignity, part of them want the courage to exert themselves in the manner they ought, and the rest are ill-affected to the republic. The death of Servius is a great loss to us. Lucius Caesar, though he is altogether in the interest of liberty, yet in tenderness to his nephew does not concur in any very vigorous measure. The consuls in the meantime deserve the highest commendations; I must mention Decimus Brutus likewise with much applause. The conduct of young Caesar also is equally laudable: and I persuade myself that we have reason to hope he will complete the work he has begun. This at least is certain, that if he had not been so extremely expeditious in raising the veteran forces, and if two legions had not deserted to him from Antony's army, there is nothing so cruel or so flagitious which the latter would not have committed.- But as these are articles which I suppose you are already apprised of, I only just mention them in order to confirm them.
You shall hear farther from me, whenever I can find a more leisure moment.
Farewell. -