7.  This message not succeeding, Mene’nias Agrip’pa, one of the wisest and best of the senators, was of opinion, that the demands of the people were to be complied with.  It was resolved, therefore, to enter into a treaty, and to make them such offers as should induce them to return. 8.  Ten commissioners were deputed.  The dignity and popularity of the ambassadors procured them a very respectful reception among the soldiers, and a conference began.  They employed all their oratory; while Sicin’ius and Lu’cius Ju’nius, who were speakers for the soldiery, aggravated their distresses with all that masculine eloquence which is the child of nature.

9.  The conference had now continued for a long time, when Mene’nius Agrip’pa, who had been originally a plebe’ian himself, a shrewd man, and who, consequently, knew what kind of eloquence was most likely to please the people, addressed them with that celebrated fable of the body and the members, which is so finely told by Livy.[3]

10.  This fable, the application of which is obvious, had an instantaneous effect upon the people.  They unanimously cried out, that Agrip’pa should lead them back to Rome; and were making preparations to follow him, when Lu’cius Junius withheld them; alleging, that though they ought gratefully to acknowledge the kind offers of the senate, yet they had no safeguard against their future resentments; that therefore it was necessary, for the security of the people, to have certain officers created annually from among themselves, who should have power to give redress to such of them as should be injured, and plead the cause of the community. 11.  The people, who are generally of opinion with the last speaker,[4] highly applauded this proposal, with which, however, the commissioners had not power to comply; they, therefore, sent to Rome to take the instructions of the senate, who, distracted with divisions among themselves, and harassed by complaints from without, were resolved to have peace, at whatever price it should be obtained; accordingly, as if with one voice, they consented to the creation of these new officers, who were called Tribunes[5] of the People.

12.  The tribunes of the people were at first five in number, though afterwards their body was increased by five more.  They were always annually elected by the people, and almost always from their body.  They at first had their seats placed before the doors of the senate house, and, when called in, they were to examine every decree, annulling it by the word Veto, “I forbid it;” or confirming it by signing the letter T, which gave it validity. 13.  This new office being thus instituted, all things were adjusted both on the one side and the other, and the people, after having sacrificed to the gods of the mountain, returned back once more in triumph to Rome.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What were the first acts of the dictator?