Letter 281
1 To Modestus the Prefect.I AM mindful of the great honour I received in the encouragement you gave me, along with others, to address your excellency. I avail myself of the privilege and the enjoyment of your gracious favour.
I congratulate myself upon having such a correspondent, as also upon the opportunity afforded your excellency of conferring an honour on me by your reply.
I claim your clemency on behalf of Helladius my special friend. I pray that he may be relieved from the anxieties of Tax assessor, and so be enabled to work in the interests of our country.
You have already so far given a gracious consent, that I now repeat my request, and pray you to send instructions to the governor of the Province, that Helladius may be released from this infliction.
1 Placed in the episcopate.