Will of the Senate - Senate Deliberations II

[econ21]

[QUINTUS]: I must agree with Senator Tiberius Coruncanius, this debate is becoming overheated. The First Consul has not acted dishonourably or illegally. Indeed, I believe he has delivered the great raid on Gaul that he was elected to perform rather more efficiently and quickly than one might reasonably expect. I hope no additional Senators second motion 6.9 so that the situation can be calmed and we can consider the interests of the Republic with cool heads.

I would, however, like to correct the accusation made in the heat of the moment that I brought the Republic into war with Carthage without Senate authorisation. Looking at the records of the Senate deliberations, I observe that I proposed the following motion:

Emergency Motion #5 "This House instructs the First Consul to begin the conquest of Sicily. It gives advance authorisation for a declaration of war against Carthage to be made when the First Consul judges the time right."

My memory fails me, but I presume the motion was passed, otherwise I would have been impeached.

Senators, I believe our time would best be used discussing the Republic's next steps, not dwelling on the past. The example of the conquest of Sicily shows that events may occur by the mid-term of a First consul's office that lead First Consuls to rethink their plans. August Verginius has now encountered such a situation. Our task in these few days is to consider his re-assessment of the situation and, in particular, his request for authorising war on Iberia.