de bello gallico, 5.41

Then the leaders and chiefs of the Nervii, who had any access for conversation and reason for friendship with Cicero, say that they want to confer with him. With a chance having been created, they mention the same things which Ambiorix had delivered to Titurius: that all Gaul was in arms, that the Germans had crossed the Rhine, that the winter-quarters of Caesar and of the rest were being attacked. They add also about the death of Sabinus. They point out Ambiorix for the purpose of making trust. They say that they are mistaken if they hope for any defence (part. gen.) from those who lack confidence in their own affairs; but they are of this mind toward Cicero and the Roman people that they deny them nothing except winter-quarters and do not wish that this custom become habitual; through them it is permitted for those, safe, to depart from their winter-quarters and to set out without fear into whatever parts they wish. To these Cicero replies just one: that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept a condition from an armed enemy: if they wish to lay down their arms, they may use him as their supporter and send ambassadors to Caesar: he hoped, from his [Caesar's] justice, that they would obtain the things which they would request.