The works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel, citizen and secretary of Florence written originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully translated into English.

CHAP. XV.

One General is best for an Army, and that to govern it by Commissioners, is not so good.

THe Fidenates having rebelled, and cut off that Colony of the Romans that was amongst them, the Romans created four Tribunes, and invested with Consulary power, whereof one being left behind for the security of the City of Rome, the other three were sent against the Fidenates and Veientes; but disagreeing among them∣selves, they came off with dishonour, though their loss was not much: That they gain'd no more honour, they may thank themselves; that they received no more loss, they may thank their good Soldiers. However the Romans finding the inconvenience, re∣turned to their old way of Dictators, that what three persons had disordered, might be re∣medied by one. From whence we may discern the inconvenience of many Commanders either in an Army or Town, which Livy has expressed very clearly in these following words, Tres Tribuni potestate Consulari, documento fuere, quam plurium imperium bello in∣utile esset, tenendo ad sua quis{que} Consilia, cum alii aliud videretur, apperuerunt ad occasionem locum hosti; These three Tribunes with Consular power, gave us to understand the uselesness of multiplicity of Commanders, for each of them adhering to his own Counsels, whilst one was

for one thing, and another as positive for another, nothing was done, and they gave the enemy an advantage. And though this be example enough to prove the inconvenience of many Commanders, yet for better illustration I shall add some others both ancient and modern. In the year 1500 King Lewis XII of France having retaken Milan, sent his Army to Pisa to recover it for the Florentines; who to command it had sent thither two Commissaries, one of them called Giovan-battista Ridolsi, and the other Luca d' Antonio de gli Albizzi. Giovan-battista was a person of reputation and gravity, and being ancienter than Luca, Luca left the whole administration to him; but though he shewed no ambition in opposing him; he did it abundantly by his silence, and fullenness; neglecting, and undervaluing every thing that was done; so that he was so far from assisting his Colleague either with his coun∣sel or person, that he appeared as if he had been utterly ignorant in matters of war: but it pro∣ved otherwise afterwards, when upon some accident Giovan-battista was recalled, and Luca remained behind with absolute Command; for then he gave ample testimony both of his courage and conduct, which before, whilst he had a Colleague, no body could have believed. To this purpose I shall add another saying of Livy, who giving an account how Quintius and Agrippa (his Colleague) being sent against the Aequi, Agrippa would needs have the whole management of the war to be committed to Quintius, for (says he) Saluberrimum in administratione magnarum rerum est, summam imperii apud unum esse; In the administra∣tion of great affairs it is best that the Soveraign power be invested in one person. Which is contrary to the present practice of our Princes and States, who do often depute more than one Commander both to their Armies and Towns; which (however they think it for the best) must needs breed inconceivable confusion. And if the cause of the ruine of so ma∣ny Italian and French Armies in our times, be enquired into, it will be found to be the mul∣titude, and emulation of their Commanders, and it be may safely concluded, that it is better to send a man of ordinary prudence, and experience, upon any expedition, than two of the wisest and best Soldiers they have, with equal commission.