We, having constantly in mind the welfare of Our subjects, and having ascertained that they are subjected to annoyances at the hands of deputies sent into the provinces by civil and military magistrates, have recently enacted a law for the purpose of correcting such abuses.

  As We are desirous of benefiting Our subjects to the greatest extent possible, We hereby prohibit the Praetorian Prefects, both of the East and of Illyria, the Count of the Imperial Largesses, and the Count of Private Affairs, from sending deputies into the provinces; and We also forbid Governors as well as judges stationed in the provinces, or in any city whatsoever to do this. Only where necessity requires it do We permit deputies to be sent from the prefecture into the provinces of Osdroena and Mesopotamia, as well as other places, during expeditions, to secure supplies for the army, and they shall not be appointed except by virtue of an Imperial order, expressly issued for this purpose. We also forbid military commanders and generals-in-chief, in the provinces where they exert their authority, to employ any deputies, substitutes, or officers charged with the pursuit of thieves. If, however, it should become necessary for the military commanders or generals-in-chief to be despatched to other places by an Imperial order, then We shall appoint deputies to take their places while they are absent. But no military or civil magistrate shall be allowed to run over a province when there is no necessity for it; and where any reason exists for their doing so, We order them to travel with their courts, and at their own expense. We forbid them to oppress Our subjects by requisitions for posts, for those services called epidemitices, or for any other expenses whatsoever. And We also forbid them to exact the services of any of the magistrates above mentioned, where they have unjustly established a custom for their own benefit, for practices wrongfully instituted, and dishonorable customs cannot be confirmed either by lapse of time or long-continued usage. Civil and military magistrates are hereby notified that if any of them should violate this law by the appointment of a Deputy, he shall pay a fine of twenty pounds of gold, and the person who accepts such an employment shall lose his property, and be sent into exile.

  In order the better to insure obedience to Our law, We order that the bishops of the diocese, the Governors of provinces, and the inhabitants of towns shall not, in contravention of its provisions, receive either a Deputy, or officers charged with the pursuit of thieves; for We absolutely prohibit every civil or military magistrate from employing officials of this kind. We order especially the Governors of provinces to conduct themselves and their administrations with so much wisdom that their acts will not require investigation, and someone else be sent to replace them in the provinces. Where, however, it becomes necessary to send any officers there to collect taxes, or to suppress disturbances, they shall have neither the rank nor the title of.deputies. Anyone who is assigned to a province for such a purpose shall not subject Our subjects to any expense, he shall discharge the duties entrusted to him, and the Governor, together with his subordinates, shall give him all requisite assistance. Where an official is despatched to a magistrate against whom a serious accusation has been made, We order the provincial court to obey him. But, while We forbid the appointment of deputies, We desire Governors of provinces and their courts to be responsible for their administrations, to supervise public collections, to maintain tranquillity in their jurisdictions, and to provide against all injustice and annoyance. If any judges or collectors of taxes in the provinces should happen to need aid, We order the Governors and their courts to give it to them, in order that the levy of taxes may be made without hindrance. Competent provincial judges shall hear and determine any civil or criminal cases which may be brought before them, and they must decide them on their own responsibility, and dispose of them according to law. We also order that as soon as the Governors of provinces receive their appointments, whether they are present or absent, they must give bond to the Praetorian Prefect, as well as to the Count of the Imperial Largesses, and the Count of Private Affairs, to insure the payment of the sums to which each of said magistrates is entitled, and they should remain responsible in accordance with the tenor of the bond, if they should divert the money to improper purposes. In those cities and provinces where there are no secretaries or magistrates charged with the collection of taxes at their own risk, the Governors shall collect them on their own responsibility.

  It has been brought to Our attention that certain provincial magistrates act so unjustly for the purpose of obtaining dishonorable gains that they do not permit wills to be made, or those which have been made to be recorded; or marriages to be contracted; or nuptial agreements to be executed, or the dead to be buried, or inventories to be drawn up; or any similar acts to be performed, either by means of written instruments, or in the presence of witnesses; hence We forbid all magistrates, both civil and military, as well as their courts and every other official, to presume to do anything of this kind. If, however, any of them should venture to commit such a detestable act, or to protect anyone who has had the audacity to do so, We decree that, after having been deprived of their offices, they shall be sent into exile, and shall pay double the expense which they have caused the injured person to incur; for neither they themselves, nor anyone else, can diminish the benefit of the laws. We grant full authority to the most holy bishops and the principal citizens of the towns to prevent insolent acts of this description, and see that the transactions which We have just mentioned are completed in accordance with Our laws without hindrance or expense, and to inform Us if any of these illegal acts are committed. We desire judges, whether of superior or inferior rank, to receive appeals legally taken; they shall hear them specially in conformity with Our orders (for it is permissible to appeal even from ecclesiastical judges), and to give, without delay, a written acceptance of their appeal to the litigants so that the decision of the case may legally be pronounced. But We decree that when an appeal has once been taken in accordance with law, the execution of the judgment shall be suspended, and the possession of the property in controversy shall not be transferred until final judgment has been rendered.

  But as adultery, rape, homicide, and other offences are perpetrated in the provinces, We order the magistrates to punish them in conformity to law, and place those who are guilty under restraint, but We forbid them to arrest some on account of others, for instance, in the place of true offenders persons who were born in the same place; or to make their towns bear the losses which they have caused. We also forbid them to take pledges from criminals, or to punish a crime with a view to the profits which may be derived from doing so, or to appropriate the property of delinquents to their own use. For We desire that the latter shall suffer the punishment prescribed by the laws, but We strictly forbid that the imposition of a penalty shall prejudice the rights of Our subjects, to enable judges and their families, or officers, to be pecuniarily benefited, lest the desire to obtain such advantages may induce them to inflict unjust penalties or to sell pardons to those who are guilty. If any provincial judge should, himself, violate this rule, he shall make good the entire loss which he has caused, shall be subjected to punishment, and sent into exile, and his councillor shall undergo a similar penalty, if he gives his consent in writing to any illegal act committed by the magistrate. The members of his court, and all other persons who assist him in obtaining gains of this kind, shall not only be compelled to make restitution, but the most guilty among them shall suffer the penalties prescribed by the laws, and be sentenced to exile.

  Therefore Your Glory will see that Our present law is published in this city and sent to the provinces, and notice thereof given to their Governors, in order that all Our subjects may learn how great is Our solicitude for their welfare.