CHAP. IX.
Caesar sendeth C. Volusenus to discover the coast of Britanie; and prepareth himself for that voyage.
CAesar sent out Caius Volusenus with a Galley to discover what he could con∣cerning these things,* 1.1 with charge that having made perfect discovery, he should return again unto him as speedily as might be: he himself marching in the mean time with all his forces unto the* 1.2 Morini; forasmuch as from thence lay the shortest cut into Britanie. Thither he commanded that ships should be brought from all the maritime Cities of that quarter, and namely that fleet which he had built the year before for the war at Vannes. In the mean time his resolution being known, and carried into Britanie by Merchants and others, many private States of that Island sent Embassa∣dours unto him, promising him hostages of their loyalty, and signifying their readinesse to submit themselves to the Roman Empire. To these he made liberall promises, exhorting them to con∣tinue in that obedience; and so sent them back again. And with them he sent Comius, whom he had made King of Arras, whose wisdome and vertue he held in good account, and whom he took to be faithfull to him, and of great authori∣ty in those Regions. To him he gave in charge to go to as many of the States as he could, and perswade them to accept of the friendship of the Roman Empire, and acquaint them that Caesar himself would presently follow after.
Volusenus having taken what view of the Countrey he could (for he durst not go on shore to commit himself to the barbarisme of the ene∣my) after five dayes returned to Caesar, and re∣lated unto him all that he had discovered. Whilst Caesar stayed in those parts for the furnishing of his fleet, the Morini sent messengers unto him, excusing themselves for their former faults, that being a rude and barbarous people, and altogether unacquainted with our customes, they had made war against the people of Rome; and withall manifesting their readinesse to obey his commands.
Caesar not willing to leave any enemy behind him, or to engage in a new war at this time of the year, or to neglect his voyage into Britanie for such small matters, willingly accepted of their submission, having first received many hostages of them: and having made ready eighty ships of burthen, which he thought sufficient to transport two legions, he divided the Gallies to the Que∣stor, the Legates, and the Commanders of the horse. There were also eighteen ships of burthen more, which lay wind-bound at a Port eight miles off, and them he appointed for the horsemen. The rest of the Army he committed to Q. Titu∣rius Sabinus and Luc. Aurunculcius Cotta, com∣manding them to go to the confines of the Mena∣pii, & into those parts of the Morini who had sent no Embassadours to him: and appointed P. Sulp. Rufus a Legate to keep the Port with a sufficient garrison.