[ULPIANUS libro uicensimo nono ad edictum. ] §14.4.1.prHuius quoque edicti non minima utilitas est, ut dominus, qui alioquin in serui contractibus priuilegium habet (quippe cum de peculio dumtaxat teneatur, cuius peculii aestimatio deducto quod domino debetur fit), tamen, si scierit seruum peculiari merce negotiari, uelut extraneus creditor ex hoc edicto in tributum uocatur.
[ULPIANUS, from the twenty-ninth book on the Edict.] The utility of this edict also is by no means small, in that the master, who otherwise has a privilege in the contracts of his slave (since he is liable only to the extent of the peculium, the valuation of which peculium is made after deducting what is owed to the master), is nevertheless, if he knew that the slave was trading with goods belonging to the peculium, summoned to a distribution under this edict just like an outside creditor.
§14.4.1.1Licet mercis appellatio angustior sit, ut neque ad seruos fullones uel sarcinatores uel textores uel uenaliciarios pertineat, tamen Pedius libro quinto decimo scribit ad omnes negotiationes porrigendum edictum.
Although the term 'merchandise' is rather narrow, so that it does not apply to fullers, tailors, weavers, or slave-dealers who are slaves, nevertheless Pedius writes in his fifteenth book that the edict is to be extended to all businesses.
§14.4.1.2Peculiarem autem mercem non sic uti peculium accipimus, quippe peculium deducto quod domino debetur accipitur, merx peculiaris, etiamsi nihil sit in peculio, dominum tributoria obligat, ita demum si sciente eo negotiabitur.
However, we do not understand 'peculiar merchandise' in the same way as 'peculium', since 'peculium' is understood after deducting what is owed to the master, whereas 'peculiar merchandise', even if there is nothing left in the peculium, binds the master under the tributory action, provided only that the business was conducted with his knowledge.
§14.4.1.3Scientiam hic eam accipimus, quae habet et uoluntatem, sed, ut ego puto, non uoluntatem, sed patientiam: non enim uelle debet dominus, sed non nolle.
By 'knowledge' here we understand that which also includes consent, but, as I think, not consent, but sufferance: for the master does not need to wish it, but rather not to object.
si igitur scit et non protestatur et contra dicit, tenebitur actione tributoria.
If, therefore, he knows and does not protest and speak against it, he will be liable to the tributory action.
§14.4.1.4Potestatis uerbum ad omnem sexum, item ad omnes, qui sunt alieno iuri subiecti, porrigendum erit.
The word 'power' must be extended to every sex, and likewise to all those who are subject to another's power.
§14.4.1.5Non solum ad seruos pertinebit tributoria actio, uerum ad eos quoque, qui nobis bona fide seruiunt, siue liberi siue serui alieni sunt, uel in quibus usum fructum habemus,
The tributory action will apply not only to slaves, but also to those who serve us in good faith, whether they are free persons or another's slaves, or those in whom we have a usufruct,