seemed to them desirable to curb his insolence before it became too great. But if out of fear, or for any other reason, the Florentines desired to retain his friendship, they were at liberty to pay him. Thus Cosimo returned without concluding anything.”[33] Cosimo never forgave the Venetians for traversing his plans, and the enmity between the two Republics began from that day. Niccolò Fortebraccio _to_ Cosimo de’ Medici _and_ Neri di Gino Capponi _Magnifico Domino et spectabili viro Fratibus carissimus Cosme de Medicis civitatis Flor. Vexillifero et Nero Gino de Capponibus._ _Magnifice Domine ac spectabilis vir frates carissimi_,--In order that you may be kept informed of what sometimes happens here I tell you that the messengers of your magnificent General Count Francesco [Sforza] had the courtesy to come rather to us than to those to whom they were sent. For your information I send you the enclosed copy of a letter from the aforesaid Count found in the bosom of one of his people, by which you will understand, &c. You will no doubt take counsel about it with your friends, so that I shall not have to call you blind Florentines,[34] as others have called you before. By my faith you ought not to be, but rather you should have a hundred eyes like Argus.--Assisi, January 5, 1436 (1437). Nicolaus Fortebraccis.[35] Lorenzo de’ Medici _to his brother_ Cosimo de’ Medici, _ambassador to Ferrara, in the name of the “Dieci di Balìa”_ _Spectabilis collega noster carissime_,--Yesterday I wrote to thee by Messer Alexio. Since then we have nought from thee. Now we write because having turned over in our own minds this affair of Taliano and consulted with other citizens about it, it seems to us that it would be an excellent thing for the State of Count Francesco and for the League if some arrangement could be come to between His Holiness the Pope and the aforesaid Count as to the Marches, as thou art aware was once proposed. We therefore tell thee to employ every possible means to achieve this, which would be a most excellent thing, and as soon as thou canst learn aught about the intention of the Holy Father let us know, because until we hear from thee we shall not communicate with the Count.