Note 76 — Chapter XX · On the Public Faith, by which War is Concluded; Comprising Treaties of Peace, and the Nature of Arbitration, Surrender Hostages, Pledges.

"The necessity of making peace authorises the Sovereign to dispose of the property of individuals; and the eminent dominion gives him a right to do it. Every thing in the political society ought to tend to the good of the community; and since even the powers of the citizens are subject to this rule, their property cannot be excepted. The state could not subsist, or constantly administer the public affairs in the most advantageous manner, if it had not a power to dispose occasionally of all kinds of property."—Vattel, b. iv. ch. ii. sect. 12. ibid. b. i. ch. xx. sect. 244.