Fraudulent ship-owners to be punished.
'When we were in doubt about the food supply of Rome, we judged it proper that Spain should send her cargoes of wheat hither, and the Vir Spectabilis Marcian collected supplies there for this purpose. His industry, however, was frustrated by the greed of the shipowners, who, disliking the necessary delay, slipped off and disposed of the grain for their own profit. Little as we like harshness, this offence must be punished. We have therefore directed Catellus and Servandus (Viri Strenui) to collect from these shipmasters the sum of 1,038 solidi (£622 16s.), inasmuch as they appear to have received:
'From the sale of the corn | 280 | solidi. |
'And from the fares of passengers | 758 | " |
——— '1,038 |
" |
'Let your Sublimity assist in the execution of this order.'