Ramires began by reducing Majolo, and then proceeded to lay siege to S. Leo. But the Castellan--one Lattanzio--encouraged by the assurances given him that the Venetians would render Guidobaldo assistance to reconquer his dominions, resisted stubbornly, and was not brought to surrender until the end of June, after having held the castle for six months. If Venice was jealous and hostile in the north, Florence was scarcely less so in mid-Italy--though perhaps with rather more justification, for Cesare’s growing power and boundless ambition kept the latter Republic in perpetual fear of being absorbed into his dominions--into that kingdom which it was his ultimate aim to found. There can be little doubt that Francesco da Narni, who appeared in Tuscany early in the March of that year, coming from the French Court for the purpose of arranging a league of Florence, Bologna, Siena, and Lucca--the four States more or less under French protection--had been besought by Florence, to the obvious end that these four States, united, might inter-defend themselves against Valentinois. And Florence even went so far as to avail herself of this to the extent of restoring Pandolfo Petrucci to the lordship of Siena--preferring even this avowed enemy to the fearful Valentinois. Thus came about Petrucci’s restoration towards the end of March, despite the fact that the Siennese were divided on the subject of his return. With the single exception of Camerino, where disturbances still continued, all was quiet in the States of the Church by that summer of 1503. This desirable state of things had been achieved by Cesare’s wise and liberal government, which also sufficed to ensure its continuance. He had successfully combated the threatened famine by importing grain from Sicily. To Sinigaglia--his latest conquest--he had accorded, as to the other subjected States, the privilege of appointing her own native officials, with, of course, the exception of the Podestà (who never could be a native of any place where he dispensed justice) and the Castellan. In Cesena a liberal justice was measured out by the Tribunal of the Ruota, which Cesare had instituted there, equipping it with the best jurisconsults of the Romagna.