Theambassadorcondescendedtojustify，orexcuse，theconductofhismaster；andtoprotest，inspeciouslanguage，thatthemurderofGratianhadbeenperpetrated，withouthisknowledgeorconsent，bytheprecipitatezealofthesoldiers。Butheproceeded，inafirmandequaltone，toofferTheodosiusthealternativeofpeace，orwar。Thespeechoftheambassadorconcludedwithaspiriteddeclaration，thatalthoughMaximus，asaRoman，andasthefatherofhispeople，wouldchooserathertoemployhisforcesinthecommondefenceoftherepublic，hewasarmedandprepared，ifhisfriendshipshouldberejected，todispute，inafieldofbattle，theempireoftheworld。Animmediateandperemptoryanswerwasrequired；butitwasextremelydifficultforTheodosiustosatisfy，onthisimportantoccasion，eitherthefeelingsofhisownmind，ortheexpectationsofthepublic。Theimperiousvoiceofhonorandgratitudecalledaloudforrevenge。FromtheliberalityofGratian，hehadreceivedtheImperialdiadem；hispatiencewouldencouragetheodioussuspicion，thathewasmoredeeplysensibleofformerinjuries，thanofrecentobligations；andifheacceptedthefriendship，hemustseemtosharetheguilt，oftheassassin。Eventheprinciplesofjustice，andtheinterestofsociety，wouldreceiveafatalblowfromtheimpunityofMaximus；

　　andtheexampleofsuccessfulusurpationwouldtendtodissolvetheartificialfabricofgovernment，andoncemoretoreplungetheempireinthecrimesandcalamitiesoftheprecedingage。

　　But，asthesentimentsofgratitudeandhonorshouldinvariablyregulatetheconductofanindividual，theymaybeoverbalancedinthemindofasovereign，bythesenseofsuperiorduties；andthemaximsbothofjusticeandhumanitymustpermittheescapeofanatrociouscriminal，ifaninnocentpeoplewouldbeinvolvedintheconsequencesofhispunishment。TheassassinofGratianhadusurped，butheactuallypossessed，themostwarlikeprovincesoftheempire:theEastwasexhaustedbythemisfortunes，andevenbythesuccess，oftheGothicwar；anditwasseriouslytobeapprehended，that，afterthevitalstrengthoftherepublichadbeenwastedinadoubtfulanddestructivecontest，thefeebleconquerorwouldremainaneasypreytotheBarbariansoftheNorth。TheseweightyconsiderationsengagedTheodosiustodissemblehisresentment，andtoaccepttheallianceofthetyrant。Buthestipulated，thatMaximusshouldcontenthimselfwiththepossessionofthecountriesbeyondtheAlps。ThebrotherofGratianwasconfirmedandsecuredinthesovereigntyofItaly，Africa，andtheWesternIllyricum；andsomehonorableconditionswereinsertedinthetreaty，toprotectthememory，andthelaws，ofthedeceasedemperor。^17Accordingtothecustomoftheage，theimagesofthethreeImperialcolleagueswereexhibitedtothevenerationofthepeople；norshoulditbelightlysupposed，that，inthemomentofasolemnreconciliation，Theodosiussecretlycherishedtheintentionofperfidyandrevenge。^18

　　[Footnote17:AmbrosementionsthelawsofGratian，quasnonabrogavithostiatom。iiepist。xvii。p。827。]

　　[Footnote18:Zosimus，l。iv。p。251，252。Wemaydisclaimhisodioussuspicions；butwecannotrejectthetreatyofpeacewhichthefriendsofTheodosiushaveabsolutelyforgotten，orslightlymentioned。]

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