I write this on the 15th of January, before daybreak. To-day there is to be a meeting of the senate. We shall maintain, as I hope, our position in the senate as far as it is possible to do so in such an age of perfidy and unfair dealing. As to an appeal to the people on the subject, we have, I think, secured that no proposition can be brought before them without neglect of the auspices or breach of the laws, or, in fine, without downright violence.[445] The day before my writing these words a resolution of the senate on these matters of the most serious character was passed, and though Cato and Caninius vetoed it, it was nevertheless written out.[446] I suppose it has been sent to you. On all other matters I will write and tell you what has been done, whatever it is, and I will see that everything is carried out with the most scrupulous fairness as far as my caution, labour, attention to details, and influence can secure it. [Footnote 443: The proposal of Bibulus to send "three legates" implied a concession to the Sibylline verse, in not sending "an army." It was therefore to be voted on as two questions--(1) Shall the Sibylline verse be obeyed, and an army not sent? (2) Shall three legates be sent?] [Footnote 444: That is, the debate went off on the side issue as to who had the prior right of dividing the house. Lupus said _he_ had, because the proposal of Volcatius was really made before the others, _i.e._, in the previous day's debate (see last letter). The consuls were only too glad thus to avoid having the main question brought to a vote, and let this technical point be spun out in a languid debate.] [Footnote 445: Because they had magistrates ready to stop the _comitia_ by declaring bad omens, and tribunes ready to veto any proposal.] [Footnote 446: A _senatus consultum_ vetoed by a tribune was written out, with the names of its proposers and backers, and a statement at the end as to the tribunes vetoing it. It was thus on record as an _auctoritas senatus_, "resolution of the senate," not a _senatus consultum_. A perfect specimen is given in Letter CCXXIII. This _auctoritas_ was to the effect that no one was to undertake the restoration. See Letter CXIII.] XCVI (F I, 3) TO P. LENTULUS SPINTHER (IN CILICIA) ROME (? JANUARY) _M. Cicero presents his compliments to P. Lentulus, proconsul._ [Sidenote: B.C. 56, ÆT. 50]