It is of course possible that for the word ἐκουσίου (voluntary) Demosthenes wrote ἀκουσίου (involuntary). So Müller would emend the passage. But, apart from such a solution, the very fact that Nausimachus was legally entitled to sue, even after a ‘compromise’ or ‘release,’ proves that Demosthenes is rhetorical rather than logical. As the passage stands, it is in direct conflict with the law of Dracon forbidding ‘amercement’ after conviction, a law which we have already quoted. We are convinced that such ‘settlements’ were illegal and criminal in cases of wilful murder. In manslaughter cases, at least one year’s exile was necessary, with or without trial.[306] In practice some of the relatives may have drawn up a ‘release’ immediately, and such relatives could not perhaps take part in expelling the slayer. Our conclusions on this question will appear more fully later.[307] We have already referred[308] to ‘the release’ which was given by the dying as a most important factor in Greek homicide-law. We also admit that ‘settlements’ were occasionally made, though not legally authorised, and it is clear that such ‘settlements’ could easily be confused with the ‘appeasement’ of relatives in manslaughter cases, especially in the pleadings of an orator. We should contrast with this Demosthenic passage another from the speech _against Aristocrates_,[309] in which there is reference to involuntary homicide. ‘If,’ he says, ‘the accused be convicted and be found to have done the deed, neither the prosecutor nor anyone else has control over him, but the law alone. And what does the law command? That a person convicted of involuntary homicide shall on certain stated days leave the country by an appointed road and remain in exile until he has appeased certain of the relatives of the slain ... above all it is right that the laws should control everybody and everything.’ Similarly, in his speech against Meidias,[310] a judge who accepted money in settlement of a prosecution for ‘assault’ is said to have taken no account of the laws: and another man who ‘settled’ a case of assault is said ‘to have bidden farewell to the laws.’