We have, as we suppose, sufficiently explain'd what was the Form and Constitution of our Commonwealth, and how great the Authority of the _Publick Council_ was during the Reigns of the Kings of the _Merovingian_ Family. We must now proceed to give an Account of it under the _Carlovingian_ Race. And as well all our _own_ as the _German_ Historians, give us Reason to believe that the very same _Power_ and _Authority_ of the _Orders_ or _States_ of the Kingdom, was kept entire. So that the last Resort and Disposal of all Things, was not lodged in _Pipin_, _Charles_, or _Lewis_, but in the _Regal Majesty_. The true and proper Seat of which was (as is above demonstrated) in the _Annual General Council_. Of this _Eguinarthus_ gives us an Account, in that little Book we have already so much commended. Where, speaking of what happen'd after the Death of _Pipin_, he tells us, "that the _Franks_ having solemnly assembled their general Convention, did therein constitute both _Pipin_'s Sons their Kings, upon this Condition, That they should equally divide the whole Body of the Kingdom between them; and that _Charles_ should govern that Part of it which their Father _Pipin_ had possess'd, and _Carlomannus_ the other Part which their Uncle _Carlomannus_ had enjoy'd, &c." From whence 'tis easily inferr'd, that the _States_ of the Kingdom still retain'd in themselves the same Power, which they had always hitherto been in Possession of (during near 300 Years) in the Reigns of the _Merovingian_ Kings. So that altho' the deceased King left Sons behind him, yet there _came not_ to the Crown so much thro' any _Right of Succession_, as thro' the _Appointment_ and _Election_ of the _States_ of the _Realm_. Now that all the other weighty Affairs of the Nation used to be determined by the same _General Council_, _Aimoinus_ is our Witness, _lib._ 4. _cap._ 71. where he speaks of the War with the _Saxons_. "The King (says he) in the Beginning of the Spring went to _Nimeguen_; and because he was to hold a General Convention of his People at a Place called _Paderburn_, he marched from thence with a great Army into _Saxony_." And again, _cap._ 77.--"Winter being over, he held a Publick Convention of his People in a Town called _Paderburn_, according to the _yearly Custom_." Also _cap._ 79.--"And meeting with his Wife in the City of _Wormes_, he resolved to hold there the _General Council_ of his People." In all which Places he speaks of that _Charles_, who thro' his warlike Atchievements had acquired the Dominion of almost all _Europe_, and by the universal Consent of Nations had obtained the Sirname of the _Great_: Yet for all that it was not in his Power to deprive the _Franks_ of their _ancient Right and Liberty_. Nay, he never so much as endeavour'd to undertake the least Matter of Moment without the _Advice_ and _Authority_ of his _People_ and _Nobles_. And there is no doubt of it, after _Charles_'s