Gregory to Maximus, bishop of Salona. We had indeed previously written other letters to your Fraternity; but at the time when we wished to send back your men whom you had sent to us, we learned that you had written to certain of our people that you had at that time by no means sent the priest Veteranus and the defensor Optatus in the case, and that therefore the things which were done with them ought not to stand. And Thomas too, the defensor of your Church, reported that this had been said to him by you by word of mouth. From which circumstance we have judged that not even the bearers of the present letters are to be believed, lest afterward the same thing be said likewise concerning them also.
Since therefore this matter has made us greatly hesitate, and warned us that we ought to be cautious, if you wish to plead the case, send henceforth an instructed person, with a mandate lawfully drawn up, corroborated by the subscriptions of yourself and of the priests or deacons as witnesses, and drawn up with records according to custom, so that whatever is done with that person may be able rightly to stand. For we are prepared, with God's help, to preserve through all things what is just and lawful not only for you but also for everyone; only let it be that you do not omit to do what is prescribed by law.