1When I was inquiring into the expenses of the commonwealth of Byzantium, which are very great, I was informed, my lord, that an envoy is sent every year with a decree to pay respects to you, and that he is given twelve thousand sesterces. 2Mindful, therefore, of your policy, I thought that the envoy should be kept back but the decree sent, so that at the same time the expense might be lightened and the public duty fulfilled. 3To the same city were charged three thousand, given annually under the name of travelling expenses to an envoy going to pay the city's official respects to the governor of Moesia. 3These I thought should be cut back for the future.
4I ask you, my lord, to deign, by writing back your opinion, either to confirm my plan or to correct my error.