lo Fortebraccio had made, and
by letters received from their rectors in the vicinity of Lucca; for
their deputies at Vico and Pescia had written, that if permission were
given to them to receive the castles that offered to surrender, the
whole country of Lucca would very soon be obtained. It must, however, be
added, that an ambassador was sent by the governor of Lucca to Florence,
to complain of the attack made by Niccolo, and to entreat that the
Signory would not make war against a neighbor, and a city that had
always been friendly to them. The ambassador was Jacopo Viviani, who, a
short time previously, had been imprisoned by Pagolo Guinigi, governor
of Lucca, for having conspired against him. Although he had been found
guilty, his life was spared, and as Pagolo thought the forgiveness
mutual, he reposed confidence in him. Jacopo, more mindful of the danger
he had incurred than of the lenity exercised toward him, on his arrival
in Florence secretly instigated the citizens to hostilities; and these
instigations, added to other hopes, induced the Signory to call the
Council together, at which 498 citizens assembled, before whom the
principal men of the city discussed the question.

Among the first who addressed the assembly in favor of the expedition,
was Rinaldo. He pointed out the advantage that would accrue from the
acquisition, and justified the enterprise from its being left open to
them by the Venetians and the duke, and that as the pope was engaged in
the affairs of Naples, he could not interfere. He then remarked upon the
facility of the expedition, showing that Lucca, being now in bondage to
one of her own citizens, had lost her natural vigor and former anxiety
for the preservation of her liberty, and would either be surrendered to
them by the people in order to expel the tyrant, or by the tyrant for
fear of the people. He recalled the remembrance of the injuries done to
the republic by the governor of Lucca; his malevolent disposition toward
them; and their embarrassing situation with regard to him, if the pope
or the duke were to make war upon them; and concluded that no enterprise
was ever undertaken by the people of Florence with such perfect
facility, more positive advantage, or greater justice in its favor.

In a reply to this, Niccolo da Uzzano stated that the city of Florence
never entered on a more unjust or more dangerous project, or one more
pregnant with evil, than this. In the first place they were