Publius Claudius Nero after having read the recent correspondence from the Praetor Urbanus began to draft his own letter in response:

"Honored Praetor Urbanus,

I am deeply saddened to hear of such corruption in our government. This is something that CANNOT and WILL NOT go un-punished.

It is not up to me to decide whether or not Publius Manlius Torquatus is guilty or not, for that decision is your own. However it is up to me to decide whether this warrants a criminal and or civil trial, which I feel it does.

Publius Manlius Torquatus will be put on trial on charges of corruption, and bribery. I will not make any comments to you regarding whether he is or is not guilty, but I will say this, and read this carefully.

If Torquatus IS found guilty, I expect him to be SEVERELY punished, we need to set an example that YOU CANNOT BUY our government. Furthermore, I want to make sure that there is NO CORRUPTION within this case. If he can bribe a tribune, he can bribe anybody.

I will make the announcement on the rostra immediately, and I want you to proceed as soon as possible.

Signed,

Publius Claudius Nero, Censor"