According to the Swiss historian, Planta,[2] the Helvetic union, as founded by the three forest Cantons, called _Waldstätten_, composed of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden, bears date from the most remote periods of their existence, and was framed long before they knew how to commit it to writing. In 1291 this league was reduced to writing; the first covenant is in Latin, and begins, “_In nomine Domini, Amen_,”[3] and this form was followed in the several later covenants at Rütli, 1307, and Brunnen, 1315. Each Canton obligated itself to assist and succor the others, with its utmost force, and at its own expense, against all persons or states that should assault or molest any of them; that neither of the Cantons should submit to receive any new sovereign without the knowledge and consent of the others; that none should enter into any alliance or engagement with any other prince or state without the said consent; and that if any difference should arise between any two of these confederated Cantons, the third should be the arbitrator, and obliged to assist that Canton which submitted to its arbitration against the other that should refuse it. The express purpose of this league was for self-defence against all who should attack or trouble them. The constitution of each Canton was purely democratic; the supreme power was vested in the people at large; all males of fourteen years old in Uri, of fifteen in Schwyz and Unterwalden, having a voice. Though deputies were chosen to represent the people in the Council of Regency, and a Landammann, or chief magistrate,[4] was also appointed, yet the supreme power was exercised by a general assembly held in the open air. In 1332 Luzern joined the three Cantons, and thus arose the federation of the Four Forest Cantons, _Vierwaldstätten_. Zurich came in in 1351, Zug and Glarus in 1352, and Bern in 1353. These eight Cantons continued until 1481, or a hundred and twenty-eight years, without increasing their number, and are distinguished by the name of the _Eight Old Cantons_. For a long time these Cantons possessed many distinctive privileges. This league upheld its independence in 1386 against Duke Leopold III., of Austria, in the battle of Sempach, when the most heroic courage was shown. This resulted in the decree of Sempach, whereby the eight Cantons agreed to preserve peace among themselves; to uphold each other; and in war to unite their banners against the common enemy. The last remnant of ancient Helvetic territories in Aargau was wrested in 1417 from Frederic, Count of Tyrol. Though still comprehended within the nominal sovereignty of the empire, encroachments upon their territory or their political liberties were no longer dreaded. They were henceforth free from external control and from contributions imposed by the Germanic Diet. In 1444 followed the defeat of the Dauphin Louis of France at St. Jacob, and the defeat of the Burgundians at Morat and Nancy in 1477. In 1481 Solothurn and