CHAP. XVI.
A controversy fell out in the state of the Hedui touching the choise of their chief Magistrate.
CAesar sta••ed many dayes at Avari∣cum:* 1.1 for finding there great store of corn and of other provisions, he refreshed his army of their former labour and wants. The winter now being almost ended, and the time of the year being fit for war, he determined to fol∣low the enemy, to see whether he could draw him out of the woods and bogs, or besiege him in some place. Being thus resolved, divers of the principall men of the Hedui came unto him, beseeching him that he would stand to them, and assist their State in a time of great need, the matter being in extreme danger: forasmuch as their ancient usage was for one to be created their annuall Magistrate, having regall authority for that year; whereas now two had taken upon them the said office, both of them affirming themselves to belawfully crea∣ted; the one was Convictolitanis, a famous and flourishing young man, the other Cotus, born of an ancient family, and he himself of great power and kindred, whose brother Vede∣liacus had born the said office the year before. All their State was in arms, their Senate and their people divided, together with their clients and followers: if the controversy continued for any time, it would come to a battel; the prevention whereof consisted in his diligence and authority. Caesar, though he knew it would be disadvantagious unto him to leave the war, and to forsake the enemy: yet know∣ing what inconveniences do usually arise of such discords and d••ssensions, lest so great a State, and so near to the people of Rome, which he himself had alwayes favoured, and by all means honoured, should fall to war amongst themselves; and that faction which distrusted their own strength, should seek help of Vercin∣getorix; he thought it most necessary to be pre∣vented. And forasmuch as such as were crea∣ted chief Magistrates among the Hedui, were by their laws forbidden to go out of their con∣fines: to the end he might not seem to derogate any thing from their laws, he himself deter∣mined to go unto them. At his coming he cal∣led before him to Decetia all the Senate, and those also that were in controversy for the of∣fice. And finding in an assembly almost of the whole State, that one of them was chosen by a few privily called together, in another place, and at another time then was accustomed, the brother pronouncing the brother: whereas their laws did not only forbid two of one family, both being alive, to be created Magistrate, but also to be of the Senate together: he compelled Co∣tus to give over his interest in the magistracy, and confirmed Convictolitanis being created by their Priests, and according to the custome of their State. This decree being ratified, he adhorted the Hedui to forget their private con∣troversies and dissensions, and to give their best help to the war in hand, wherein they might challenge and expect (the Galles being subdu∣ed) such rewards as they deserved; comman∣ding all their horse and ten thousand foot to be speedily sent unto him, which he meant to dis∣pose into garrisons for the better provision of corn. And then dividing his army into two parts, he sent four Legions towards the Senones & the Pari••ians under the leading of Labienus; the other four he led himself against the Ar∣verni, to the town of Gergovia, along the r••∣ver Elaver, sending part of the horse with him, and keeping part with himself.
OBSERVATIONS.
TO loose the least jot of that which a man hath in possession,* 1.2 is more dishonourable, then to fail of getting what he hath not. And therefore Caesar chose rather to forgo the advantages which a speedy pursuit of the enemy might have afforded him to the ending of that war, then to hazzard the losse of so great a State, & so well-affected to the people of Rome as were the He∣dui, wherein he carried so equall and indiffe∣rent a hand, that he would do nothing but what the laws of that State directed him unto, as most assured that such directions were without ex∣ception.