Now, concerning the _Authority_ of the _People_, who were thus gather'd together at the _Great Council_, we have many Testimonies, _Aimoinus, lib. 4. cap. 41._ speaking of _Clodoveus_ the Second; "Altho' (says that King in his Speech) the Care of our Earthly Principality _obliges_ us to call you together _Francigenae cives_, and to consult you in Affairs relating to the Publick, &c."--Also in his 74th Chapter of the same Book--"In the Beginning of the Year he went into _Saxony_, and there he held a _General Convention every Year_, as he used to do every Year in _France_ also."--Again, _lib._ 4. _cap._ 13. where he speaks of _Charles_ the Great--"When the Hunting near _Aix la Chapelle_ was ended, as soon as he return'd, he held a _General Convention_ of his People, according to usual Custom, &c. _Cap._ 116. The Emperor having held Two _Conventions_, one at _Nimeguen_, the other at _Compiegn_, wherein he receiv'd the Annual Presents, &c. Again, _Cap._ 117. In the Month of _August_ he came to _Wormes_, and holding there the General Convention according to constant Practice, he received the Yearly Gifts which were offer'd him, and gave Audience to several Ambassadors, &c. Again, _Lib. 5. cap. 31._ The General _Placitum_ was held on the Ides of _June_, in the Town _Dusiacum_." And this may suffice touching this solemn _General Council_, which both _French_ and _German_ Historians, thro' a deprav'd Custom of the _Latin_ Tongue, called by different Names; sometimes _Curia_, sometimes _Conventus Generalis_, but for the most Part _Placitum. Gregorius, lib. 7 cap. 14_ says thus:--"Therefore when the Time of the _Placitum_ approached, they were directed by King _Childebert, &c. Aimoinus, lib. 4. cap. 109._ In the middle of the Month he held the General Convention at _Thionville_, where there was a very great Appearance of the People of the _Franks_; and in this _Placitum_, the singular Compassion of the most Pious Emperor eminently show'd it self, &c." Now it was the Custom in that _Council_ to send Presents from all Parts to the King; as may appear from many Places which might be quoted, wherein that _Council_ is called _Conventus Generalis. Aimoinus, lib. 4. cap. 64._ speaking of King _Pipin_--"He compell'd them (says he) to promise they would obey all his Commands, and to send him every Year at the Time of the _General Convention_, Three Hundred Horses, as a Gift and Token of Respect. _Item, cap. 85._ Not forgetting the Perfidy of the _Saxons_, he held the _General Convention_ beyond the _Rhine_, in the Town of _Kufftein_, according to the usual Custom."