The first correspondence seen between Machiavelli and Vettori is on August 3, 1510. The letter commences with a warm and genuine fondness is expressed by Vettori hen he writes, “For this reason, be so kind, once he has arrived, as to return here quickly, because Filippo and I call out for you every day.”[2]  This is the very first letter written by Vettori in this collection, and, therefore, its tone set the stage for the following complicated correspondence between the two men between the years 1513 and 1514.  Once Vettori gives, what appears to be a simplified report on his personal life he goes on to talk about the affairs occurring throughout the world at this time.  In particular, he talks about political affairs concerning the pope and the France.  Vettori, throughout this letter, is truly intrigued by the situation of the pope and his rivalry with France.  In it, he questions the pope’s intentions when he asks, “In conclusion, I do not understand this pope.  How can it be possible that he alone with the Venetians should want to pick a war against France?”[3]   What is important about this segment of the letter is not that Vettori is questioning the pope and his intentions but rather that he is analyzing and questioning the affairs of the world around him. Understanding this inquisitive nature of Vettori will be extremely important in interpreting the relationship between him and Machiavelli in their later letters.  Vettori is constantly attempting to dissect the political events of the time and asking Machiavelli for his advice.

            From this first letter written by Vettori, it is also hinted how much Vettori respects Machiavelli and his opinions.  Earlier on in the letter Vettori talks about a man by the name of Marcantonio Colonna and where he was destined.  At the end of the passage he writes, “I shall let you think a bit about this, and we shall talk about it upon your return.”[4]  While it is not completely evident from this that Vettori depends on Machiavelli for advice and a clearer perspective on many issues, it does relay a small amount of respect for Machiavelli’s beliefs.  Beginning to understand this aspect of their relationship will also be key to understanding the letters to come.  In these letters, we can see how much Vettori values and respects Machiavelli’s advice and opinions pertaining to the various political situations.

            It is somewhat odd that between the letter written on August 3, 1510 and the letters written in 1513 there was no correspondence between these two men.  To an extent, it is understandable that Machiavelli and Vettori were not in close contact due to the fact that Machiavelli had been imprisoned.  Between 1512 and 1513, Medici power had been completely restored in Florence.  This power, however, was challenged by Pietro Paolo Boscoli, who organized a conspiracy against the Medici’s. Along with the conspiracy, he had written down the names of those who he believed were also opposed to the Medici’s.  Among those names was Machiavelli’s.  When this list was discovered, Machiavelli was arrested, imprisoned and tortured.  After a period of time he was released but his career was destroyed.[5]

            While Machiavelli’s world was falling apart Vettori’s was becoming more and more successful.  On December 30, 1512, Vettori was appointed to be Florence’s ambassador to Pope Julius II.  This position was only to last for two months but with the accession of Pope Leo X, his assignment was extended.[6]  It is after this chain of events that Machiavelli and Vettori’s relationship begins to unfold and become more and more complex.

            It appears that one of the first things that Machiavelli does when he gets out of prison is writes to Vettori.  In this first letter, written on March 13, 1513, Machiavelli makes the first effort to gain a position among the pope’s household by asking Vettori for his help and assistance.  As seen within the first few letters Machiavelli is anxious to work again and, in particular, be a part of the political spectrum again.

            In Vettori’s letter to Machiavelli on March 15, 1513, Vettori expresses his deep concern for the well being and safety of his friend Machiavelli when he writes,

                        For the past eight months I have had the greatest sorrows that I have ever had in all my life, including some you so not know about.  Nevertheless, I have never had a greater one than when I heard that you had been imprisoned…It grieves me not to have been able to help you, as the faith you had in me deserved, and it gave me great sadness when your Totto sent me the messenger and I could not help you in anyway.  I did so when the pope was elected, and I asked him for no other favor than your liberation, which, I am happy, had already taken place.[7]

A question that may arise at this point is, did Vettori really confront the pope and

request  Machiavelli’s release from prison or is he just saying that?  Another interesting point to note is that throughout their correspondence neither Vettori nor Machiavelli take on a tone similar to the one in the first two letters.  Never again will their relationship seem as heartfelt or as sincere as it did when Machiavelli first was released from prison.  Is this due to a flaw in their relationship, such as a lack of concern for each other or is it because they share a common interest that does not necessarily personally concern them?

            One reason we can attach to this observation is Machiavelli’s personal fondness to politics.  Machiavelli states in letter 208,

All the same, if I could talk to you I could not help but fill your head with castles in air, because Fortune has seen to it that since I do not know how to talk about either the silk or the wool trade, or profits or losses, I have to talk about politics.[8]

Machiavelli makes it clear here that his one true passion is politics. In this passage, he also makes it clear how desperate and bored he is with his life.  Machiavelli thrives on the political scene and appears to feel lost and alone with out it.   

            In Vettori’s letter to Machiavelli on March 30, 1513, he sincerely apologizes for his failing attempts at securing a position within the Florentine government for Machiavelli.  He writes,“ I am sorry to be able to offer you so little, because I cannot and never thought I should be able to so much.”[9]  A person who does not care at all for another would no offer such a genuine apology.  At most, they may make a small mention of it but they would not take the time or the energy to lie about it.  Although, many of the letters are vague and impersonnal, Najemy would argue (as would I) that this is because politics was one of the few subjects these two men had in common.

In letter 208,Machiavelli pleads with Vettori and assuring him that there is no reason to worry about Machiavelli’s fate and that he understands the difficult situation Vettori is in. 

 Your letter terrified me more than the rope, and I regret any thought you might have that I may be angry – not on my own behalf, because I have resigned myself to desiring passionately nothing further, but on your behalf… once and for all, I am telling you not to go to any trouble concerning the things I ask from you, because if I do not get them, I shall not suffer for it.[10]

At no time does Machiavelli insinuate that Vettori is not making the proper attempts to secure a job for him, nor does he show any sort of hostility toward this man.  Najemy claims that the hostility and tension between these two men stem from their differences not from Vettori’s inability to find a position for Machiavelli in the government.  For instance, the difference between their positions (or lack of) with in the government may be a source of tension.  Machiavelli, once considered to be a great politician was now considered to be an enemy of the Medici family, where as Vettori was appointed to the position of Florentine ambassador of Rome.

In John Najemy’s book, Between Friends:  Discourses of Power and Desire in the Machiavelli – Vettori Letters of 1513 – 1515,  he describes Machiavelli and Vettori as not only professional colleagues but also as close friends.  “The intimate, seemingly digressive character of the letters has unfortunately led scholars to treat them largely as supplementary sources of information serving to explain this or that passage in Machiavelli political, literal or historical works.”[11]  It seems as if Najemy considers Vettori to be Machiavelli’s equal and treats the correspondence as a literary and self conscious product of “joint authorship.”[12] 

Najemy makes an interesting observation when he writes  “Over the next few years, professional and political circumstances kept bringing Machiavelli and Vettori back together, and in the midst of these formal contacts their friendship deepened.”  Here he is making the argument that Machiavelli and Vettori’s relationship revolved around this issue of politics and it was this subject that developed their friendship.

Machiavelli’s rather unique relationship with Vettori can easily be explained by analyzing Machiavelli’s relationship with his wife.  It has been stated earlier in this essay that Machiavelli’s primary interest is politics.  It is what he is most comfortable discussing and, more importantly, what intrigues him. His interest in politics encompassed so much of his life that writing pertaining to personnel affairs were few.  This is why Machiavelli’s correspondence with his wife was non-existent and his relationship with Vettori unclear.  There are no letters written to her by Machiavelli, however, he does ask about her and his children’s well-being in some letters.  It seems unlikely that Machiavelli cared so little about his family that he purposely choose to deny their existence.  It seems more realistic to assume that he simply wrote about what he was most comfortable addressing.  

The use of the word compare is interesting to discuss as well.  Machiavelli and Vettori use this word numerous times when they are addressing each other.  Translated, the word means friend or companion.  Najemy also mentions in his analysis of the relationship between the two men that the word compare can also refer to one who is the godfather of one’s children.  This, therefore, insinuates that perhaps Vettori was the godfather of Machiavelli’s children.  If this were the case, this would be yet another example of the trust and companionship shared between Machiavelli and Vettori. 

            One letter in particular, written by Vettori, expresses this deep respect.  In letter 211, Vettori writes,

Therefore, my compare, there must be something else beneath this that is not understood.  I stayed in bed for two hours longer than usual, to examine what it might be, and I could not come to any firm conclusion.  I got up and wrote so that when you find it convenient you may tell me what you think was the fancy of the King of Spain in this true.  I shall agree with your judgment because, to tell you the truth without flattery, I have found it more sound in these matters than that of any other man that I have spoken with.  I send you my regards.[13]

Not only does Vettori use the word “compare” here but he also goes on to say that he would greatly appreciate any opinions Machiavelli might have pertaining to the king of Spain and the Truce signed.  Vettori values Machiavelli’s beliefs.  The are various occasions where Vettori will explain a political event or situation to Machiavelli and ask for a response or a reaction from his friend. 

What may be even more interesting to note are Machiavelli’s responses.  In letter 212, Machiavelli takes the time to thoroughly address all of Vettori’s questions pertaining to Spain’s truce with France.[14]   

Bibliography:

1.      Machiavelli and His Friends: Their Personal Correspondence

2.      Najemy, John. Between Friends: Discourses of Power and Desire in the Machiavelli-Vettori Letters of 1513-1515

3.      Renaissance Quarterly, pg. 625-672, March 1997