[lentulusgracchus]

recognize the legitimacy of the southern rebellion.

There was no rebellion. But then, you knew that.

But be that as it may, wouldn't the proper time to discuss payment have been before seizing the property? Once you've appropriated it from the legal owner then later offers to pay for it lack credibility.

Nonsense yourself. The United States Government does it all the time. So does any governmental entity that, say, commandeers a truck or a boat in an emergency, or moves a disaster-management team onto private property and begins stringing phone lines.

[Non-Sequitur]

There was no rebellion. But then, you knew that.

Yes there was, but then you knew that, too.

The United States Government does it all the time.

For example?