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the terms of the treaty recently made with his father Alfonso。 The
Florentines replied； that they were under no obligation； that they did
not think proper to assist the son in a war commenced by the father
with his own forces； and that as it was begun without either their
counsel or knowledge； it must be continued and concluded without their
help。 The ambassadors affirmed the engagement to be binding on the
Florentines； and themselves to be answerable for the event of the war；
and then in great anger left the city。
Thus with regard to external affairs； the Florentines continued
tranquil during this war； but the case was otherwise with their
domestic concerns； as will be particularly shown in the following
book。
BOOK VII
CHAPTER I
Connection of the other Italian governments with the history of
FlorenceRepublics always disunitedSome differences are
injurious； others not soThe kind of dissensions prevailing at
FlorenceCosmo de' Medici and Neri Capponi become powerful by
dissimilar meansReform in the election of magistrates favorable
to CosmoComplaints of the principal citizens against the reform
in electionsLuca Pitti； Gonfalonier of Justice； restrains the
imborsations by forceTyranny and pride of Luca Pitti and his
partyPalace of the PittiDeath of Cosmo de' MediciHis
liberality and magnificenceHis modestyHis prudenceSayings of
Cosmo。
It will perhaps appear to the readers of the preceding book that；
professing only to write of the affairs of Florence； I have dilated
too much in speaking of those which occurred in Lombardy and Naples。
But as I have not already avoided； so it is not my intention in future
to forbear； similar digressions。 For although we have not engaged to
give an account of the affairs of Italy； still it would be improper to
neglect noticing the most remarkable of them。 If they were wholly
omitted； our history would not be so well understood； neither would it
be so instructive or agreeable； since from the proceedings of the
other princes and states of Italy； have most commonly arisen those
wars in which the Florentines were compelled to take part。 Thus； from
the war between John of Anjou and King Ferrando； originated those
serious enmities and hatreds which ensued between Ferrando and the
Florentines； particularly the house of Medici。 The king complained of
a want of assistance during the war； and of the aid afforded to his
enemy； and from his anger originated the greatest evils； as will be
hereafter seen。 Having； in speaking of external affairs； come down to
the year 1463； it will be necessary in order to make our narrative of
the contemporaneous domestic transactions clearly understood； to
revert to a period several years back。 But first； according to custom；
I would offer a few remarks referring to the events about to be
narrated； and observe； that those who think a republic may be kept in
perfect unity of purpose are greatly deceived。 True it is； that some
divisions injure republics； while others are beneficial to them。 When
accompanied by factions and parties they are injurious； but when
maintained without them they contribute to their prosperity。 The
legislator of a republic； since it is impossible to prevent the
existence of dissensions； must at least take care to prevent the
growth of faction。 It may therefore be observed； that citizens acquire
reputation and power in two ways； the one public； the other private。
Influence is acquired publicly by winning a battle； taking possession
of a territory； fulfilling the duties of an embassy with care and
prudence； or by giving wise counsel attended by a happy result。
Private methods are conferring benefits upon individuals； defending
them against the magistrates； supporting them with money； and raising
them to undeserved honors； or with public games and entertainments
gaining the affection of the populace。 This mode of procedure produces
parties and cliques； and in proportion as influence thus acquired is
injurious； so is the former beneficial； if quite free from party
spirit； because it is founded upon the public good； and not upon
private advantage。 And though it is impossible to prevent the
existence of inveterate feuds； still if they be without partisans to
support them for their own individual benefit； they do not injure a
republic； but contribute to its welfare； since none can attain
distinction； but as he contributes to her good； and each party
prevents the other from infringing her liberties。 The dissensions of
Florence were always accompanied by factions； and were therefore
always pernicious； and the dominant party only remained united so long
as its enemies held it in check。 As soon as the strength of the
opposition was annihilated； the government； deprived of the
restraining influence of its adversaries； and being subject to no law；
fell to pieces。 The party of Cosmo de' Medici gained the ascendant in
1434； but the depressed party being very numerous； and composed of
several very influential persons； fear kept the former united； and
restrained their proceedings within the bounds of moderation； so that
no violence was committed by them； nor anything done calculated to
excite popular dislike。 Consequently； whenever this government
required the citizens' aid to recover or strengthen its influence； the
latter were always willing to gratify its wishes； so that from 1434 to
1455； during a period of twenty…one years； the authority of a balia
was granted to it six times。
There were in Florence； as we have frequently observed； two
principally powerful citizens； Cosmo de' Medici and Neri Capponi。 Neri
acquired his influence by public services； so that he had many friends
but few partisans。 Cosmo； being able to avail himself both of public
and private means； had many partisans as well as friends。 While both
lived； having always been united； they obtained from the people
whatever they required； for in them popularity and power were united。
But in the year 1455； Neri being dead； and the opposition party
extinct； the government found a difficulty in resuming its authority；
and this was occasioned； remarkably enough； by Cosmo's private
friends； and the most influential men in the state； for； not fearing
the opposite party； they became anxious to abate his power。 This
inconsistency was the beginning of the evils which took place in 1456；
so that those in power were openly advised in the deliberative
councils not to renew the power of the balia； but to close the
balloting purses； and appoint the magistrates by drawing from the
pollings or squittini previously made。 To restrain this disposition；
Cosmo had the choice of two alternatives； either forcibly to assume
the government； with the partisans he possessed； and drive out the
others； or to allow the matter to take its course； and let his friends
see they were not depriving him of power； but rather themselves。 He
chose the latter； for he well knew that at all events the purses being
filled with the names of his own friends； he incurred no risk； and
could take the government into his own hands whenever he found
occasion。 The chief offices of state being again filled by lot； the
mass of the people began to think they had recovered their liberty；
and that the decisions of the magistrates were according to their own
judgments； unbiased by the influence of the Great。 At the same time；
the friends of different grandees were humbled； and many who had
commonly seen their houses filled with suitors and presents； found
themselves destitute of both。 Those who had previously been very
powerful were reduced to an equality with men whom they had been
accustomed to consider inferior； and those formerly far beneath them
were now become their equals。 No respect or deference was paid to
them； they were often ridiculed and derided； and frequently heard
themselves and the republic mentioned in the open streets without the
least deference； thus they found it was not Cosmo but themselves that
had lost the government。 Cosmo appeared not to notice these matters；
and whenever any subject was proposed in favor of the people he was
the first to support it。 But the greatest cause of alarm to the higher
classes； and his most favorable opportunity of retaliation； was the
revival of the catasto； or property…tax of 1427； so that individual
contributions were determined by statute； and not by a set of persons
appointed for its regulation。
This law being re…established； and a magistracy created to carry it
into effect； the nobility assembled； and went to Cosmo to beg he would
rescue them and himself from the power of the plebeians； and restore
to the government the reputation which had made himself powerful and
them respected。 He replied； he was willing to comply with their
request； but wished the law to be obtained in the regular manner； by
consent of the people； and not by force； of which he w