Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 765

Gregory to Romanus, defensor. Your Experience is not unaware that we have a certain interest in the accounts of Bonifacius, our treasurer, inasmuch as he left some portion of his substance to the hospice which is established beside blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, and commended his wife to us.

And therefore, since Laurentius, a most illustrious man, the bearer of the present letter, has been sent to settle those very accounts, that is, those of the ninth and tenth indiction, we enjoin upon you by the tenor of this instruction that you hasten to afford him aid in this matter wherever it shall be necessary, and to assist him with equity preserved, so that, while you are attentive, those accounts may be brought to a wholesome conclusion, the benefit of the poor may be secured, and the peace and security of the woman who has been commended may be provided for.

But since you know how such causes especially are conducted, if perchance you see that those accounts cannot be concluded without loss, you must go to the most glorious Leontius together with our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop John, and deal with him in common counsel, and, so far as you shall be able to negotiate, promise him whatever must be given either to himself or to various supporters, provided only that it does not proceed piecemeal but reaches an end more swiftly. Above all, however, it befits you to consider whether you ought to speak with the aforesaid most glorious man before the accounts are begun, lest perchance the case, once sent for examination, should afterward bring us difficulty in deciding it.

But since one who is present can better perceive what ought to be done, do what shall seem more useful. In this promise, however, you must be careful that, of all the matters comprised therein for the settlement of the whole case, several solidi be in no way promised, indicating to him, if the case demands it, that the deceased was altogether poor. And that he may know this to be so, we have foreseen to send you a copy of the goods found among his substance. But if perchance he should be unwilling to agree upon the aforesaid quantity of solidi, we choose rather to give back what came to the hospice than to endure fruitless odium.

But if he should agree, it must be dealt with diligently that thereupon a release be granted, so that after the release has been given and the case decided, no fresh question may in any way be able to be stirred up by any other person on that account. And whatever you shall have given, know that it is to be reckoned in your accounts.