[sect. 4]
noster: the possessive is often thus used ironically in the letters of one whom the writer dislikes or despises. Cf. Intr. 88b.
impendet negotium: Clodius wished to take vengeance upon Cicero for the latter's evidence on the trial for sacrilege, and for the discomfiture which he had suffered at his hands in the debate in the senate (cf. Ep. V.2n). Cf. Intr. 14.
consularem exercitum: i.e. the backing which Cicero's consulship won him.
illum (facturum): i.e. Clodius.
in locum mortui: Cosconius had been a member of Caesar's land commission. Cicero is offended that, instead of making him an original member of the commission, the triumvirs should wait until a member died, and should then offer him the chance of stepping into a dead man's shoes, so to speak. The phrase implies also that one holding a place on the commission would be dead politically. istam: Atticus had evidently recommended a conciliatory course; see above, 'saluti, Si me amas, consule.'
apud bonos invidiosi: the division of the public lands was always bittedy opposed by the Boni.