To: Gnaeus Sempronius Brutticus, pro-praetor of Hispania Ulterior
From: Marcus Aemiliues Lepidus, consul

Praetor,

I pray the gods have been with you. We have had quite a bit of excitement this past year, but it seems as though we have again met our challenges as Rome’s leading generals in the field. I appreciate your appraisal of the situation in Ulterior and shall take under advisement your recommendations.

In the matter of Tullius Pomponius, I daresay I vaguely remember him rising up the ranks when I was praetor in Ulterior. Brave to the core. I shall call him immediately as Sexmenstris Tribune of Legio XII. If he is adequately propertied to enter the equestrian ranks, I will help support to hold a higher officer rank.

I should like to decommission some of the legions as well. It may be a matter of timing, however. I have a number of building projects to complete and I may favor releasing them from duty closer to mid-year.

I hope to be in Ulterior soon. Perhaps we can meet in person before the year is up and you must leave.