VIII. To surprize places of strength, un∣lawful.
But on the contrary, by corrupting a Garrison to surprize places held by them during a Truce, is utterly unlawful; for it is not possible that such places should be justly gained but by the Right of War. The like may be said of Subjects, who during a Truce, cannot, if they would, revolt to the Enemy. An example whereof we may read in Livy* 1.1, For when the Inhabitants of Coronaea and Haliartus, in favour to Monarchy, sent their Ambassadours to Macedonia to desire a Garrison, whereby the better to defend themselves against the insolent pride of the Thebans; they received this Answer from the King, That having lately made a Truce with the Romans, he could not at present answer their desires. We may indeed read in Thucydi∣des, That Brasidas took the City Menda, revolting from the Athenians, to the Lacedemo∣nians, in the time of a Truce; but withal he excuseth himself by the like formerly done by the Athenians. And yet to possess places altogether deserted is lawful, that is, if they be truly so, with a purpose never to owne them again; but not if they be left only without Guards or Garrisons, whether those Guards were omitted before any Truce was made, or whether they were withdrawn upon the Truce-making only. For where the propriety is retained, another mans usurpation is unjust: whereby that cavil which Belisarius urged against the Goths, is easily refuted;* 1.2 who in the time of a Truce seized on some places being ungar∣risoned, upon this pretence of being forsaken.