Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-21

ca, anu tIie great lSrdS were compelled to
| sell their estates 10 equip themselves. The
leading monarchs of the west, who did not
engage in the first crusade, were thus ena-
ibledto enlarge their territories by purchase
land many Of tie mobiles falling in battle
| without Issue, their fcfs reverted to the
crown; So that the latter gradually extern
ding its influence, began to predominant and
TO attain strength which rcpresscd the as
lpiring spirit of the Barons. The absence of
many potent vassais left the kingly preroga-
tive more free to exercise itself; whilst the
Church, interpreting its authority Ia preserve
peace nthe possessions of those who had de-
voted themselves to its service, a wider Field
was opened for the regular and peaccable
administration of justice.
Another circumstance contributed to the
amcliorasion of government. The armies
whiclhad proceededipth the FIRST instance, over
land, by way Of Ccnstantinople, to the Holy
Land, found so many obstacles in their march
through Germany and Hungary, that they
determined To SO by sea-, The transports on
which they embarked, were furnished by
Venice, Genoa, and Pisa; and the sums paid
tor freight alone were immense: they were,
| however, nothing in comparison to tho pro-
| hts derived from the privileges which the
adventurcrs secured to these states in the
countries they invaded. These cities be-
came thus enriched and growing power
iul, they soon usurped, where they could not
purchase, imnuhitics which led to indepen-
cence and soreieiSnty, ditfnsed all around
| them sentiments OF liberty, and promoted
combination ct free cities against tie juris-
diction of kings and mobiles What mere i'm
lmediately effected this result, was the fern
ing of cities into communities, corporations,
| or bodies polite: And so rapidly did these
| corpcratiuhs grow in wealth and power, that
in very little time, instead of depending
upon superior lords for projections, Gas was
the case in the early Stages of political re-
generation,) they compelled the lords to
blend their interests with the free cities, and
fora great part of the year to transfer the
| place OF their residence from their isolated
castles into the bosom of some floul ishrng
town or city, assam evidence of submission to
the controlling influence of the latter. What
| thus aroscfrom the crasades, and the profits
OF commerce and enterprise in the Italian
states, was soon adopted by sagacious mon
archs, and particularly in France by Louis
lie Gros, who, first extended the plan Of con-
| terrlng new privileges ON the towns situated
| within his own domaine. These privileges
| were called Charters Of Community. by which
the inhabitants were enfranchised, all marks
of servitude abolished, and corporations or
bodies polite formed, to be governed by a
council and magistrates of their own nomina-
ton. The great barons soon initiated the
example of the monarch; and made sale, to
towns within their territories, of these char
tiers of liberty. Much about the same time
the great cities in Germany began to acquire
like immunities: the practice spread quickly
over Europe, and was adopted in Spain,
England, Scotland, and all the other feudal
| kingdoms.
L hf nlol,, oc - H..
cured their freedom, made rapid advances
in acquiring civil liberty and political pow
err According to fundamental principle
OF the feudal system, no freeman could be
subjected to new laws or taxes except BY
his own Consent; and in consequence of this
the rassal OF every baron was called to his
court, in which they established by mutual
consent, such regulations as were useful, and
granted the superior such supplies as were
. necessary. The free cities, in their corpor-
ate capacities, effected the enjoyment of a
similar privilege; and the great council Of
: each nation, whether distinguished by the
{ name OF q parliament, diet, the cortes, OF
the states g9geral, and which was at firs
composed .s&Aspch barons and digniEed &C.
clesiastics as5held Immediately ofthe crown
at length saw the free towns exercising .
! decisive voice in enacting public laws ant
/ granting national subsidies. The barons WHIT
J took arms against Henry Ill, in England, A
ID. 1865, first summoned representatives from
| the boroughs to attend Parliament. Phiil
| the Fair, in France, introduced into the State:
. General the Deputies of such towns as hao
5 been formed into communities. In Germa.
ny the Imperial cities effected the privilege
A. ID. 1898, of forming separate bench il
the diet Of the empire.
The freedom OF the inhabitants off towns anc
: cities, was soon followed by the Liberation O
those of the country, either by the grant O
the sovereign or the manumission of the no
b,es for, during the rigor OF feudal govern.
: ment, the great body of the lower people wa,
reduced to servitude. Luxury favored tbi
emancipation for as it INCREASED, the grea
lords of the soil were easily induced, for mo
ncy, to enfranchise their slaves. The pro
: gress OF liberty was advantageous to the
royalauthority, which found counterbalanc,
to the arrogance of the mobiles in the rising
: spirit of the people. Law began to predomf
bate, Eteratureto revive, regular government
prevail, population to increase, and tranqui
: lily to reign. This, however, was effected b,
degrees the first considerable step towards
I, establishing an equal administration CT Jus
z tice, was the adjustment Of the right which
individuals claimed Of waging war witt
81 each ether in their own name and by thci
/, own authority :snOther considerable step wa
the prohibition. of the form Of trial by Judi
I cial Combat; a third step was the a1thorisa
[ ton If the right of apUeal from the cottt.ts n