Book XII.
Chap. 24.son; they are apt to complain of his being misinformed, or beset by corrupt men: Did the prince but know, say the people; these words are a kind of invocation and a proof of the confidence they have in his person.
CHAP. XXIV.
Of Anonymous Letters.
THE Tartars are obliged to put their names to their arrows, that the arm may be known that shoots them. When Philip of Macedon was wounded at the siege of a certain town, these words were found on the javelin, After has given this mortal wound to Philip[1]. If they who accuse a person did it merely to serve the public, they would not carry their complaint to the prince, who may be easily prejudiced, but to the magistrates who have rules that are formidable only to calumniators. But if they are unwilling to leave the laws open between them and the accused, it is a presumption they have reason to be afraid of them; and the least punishment they ought to suffer, is not to be credited. No notice therefore should ever be taken of those letters but in cases that cannot admit of the delays of the ordinary course ot justice, and where the prince's welfare is concerned. Then it may be imagined that the accuser has made an effort which has untied his tongue and made him speak. But in other cases one ought to say with the emperor Constantius: "We cannot suspect a person who has wanted an accuser, whilst he did not want an enemy[2]."
