I know I sent Harpalus this morning, but since I had someone I could safely send a letter by, even though there is no news, I wanted to write to you multiple times on the same subject—not because I don’t trust your diligence, but because I am distressed by the magnitude of the situation.
The ‘prow and stern’ (as is the Greek proverb) of why I sent you away from me to Rome was to sort out my accounts. Make sure Ofilius and Aurelius1 are paid, in any case. Please try to squeeze at least part of what Flamma owes out of him, if not all of it, and it is especially important to have the instalment on January 1st arranged.2 Settle the assignment of debts; see to the cash payment.
Enough about my private business. Send me any reliable information about the political situation: what Octavius3 does, what Antony does, what the general feeling is, what you think will happen. I can barely restrain myself from rushing back to Rome—but I await your letter. And you should know that Balbus was at Aquinum when you were told he was, and Hirtius was there the day after. I think both were going by sea. But they’ll do as they like.
Make sure that Dolabella’s agents are given a reminder,4 and please speak to Papia.
Goodbye.
Read Ad Familiares 16.24 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Procurator (presumably) of L. Tullius Montanus, who was with young Marcus in Athens. Marcus had asked his father to pay out of his own allowance a sum owed by Montanus as surety of Flaminius Flamma (A. V, 341) for a debt to Plancus (Att. 294 (XII.52).1). Cicero had agreed, but through some delinquency on the part of Eros, who under Atticus now looked after his financial affairs (A. V, 305), the money was not available when required, and Aurelius had to borrow it at usurious interest (Att. 426 (XVI.15).5 of date after 12 November). Cicero then seems to have produced the money, and wanted to get it back from Flamma.’
Cicero’s repayment of Terentia’s dowry.
Shackleton Bailey’s edition of the Latin has the name Octavius, but with a note that ‘modern editors read Octavianus because he is so styled in letters to Atticus from June 44 on.’ But Tiro isn’t Atticus, and Cicero calls Octavian by various names depending on who he’s writing to.
About Dolabella’s repayment of Tullia’s dowry.