Pliny, Letter 10.108

Ep. 10.108.1Quid habēre iūris velīs et Bīthȳnās et Ponticās cīvitātēs in exigendīs pecūniīs, quae illīs vel ex locātiōnibus vel ex vēnditiōnibus aliīsve causīs dēbeantur, rogō, domine, rescrībās.I ask you, sir, to write back what rights you wish the cities of Bithynia and Pontus to have in recovering money owed to them from leases or sales or for other reasons. Ep. 10.108.1Ego invēnī ā plērīsque prōcōnsulibus concessam iīs prōtopraxian eamque prō lēge valuisse.I have found that a prior right of collection was granted them by most proconsuls and that this has had the force of law. Ep. 10.108.2Exīstimō tamen tuā prōvidentiā cōnstituendum aliquid et sanciendum per quod ūtilitātibus eōrum in perpetuum cōnsulātur.Nevertheless I think that something should be laid down and sanctioned by your foresight, by which their interests may be provided for in perpetuity. Ep. 10.108.2Nam quae sunt ab illīs īnstitūta, sint licet sapienter indulta, brevia tamen et īnfirma sunt, nisi illīs tua contingit auctōritās.For the arrangements made by those men, although they may have been wisely granted, are short-lived and weak unless your authority attaches to them.