gades, and the whole is divided into ten genoſſamen, or inferior communities. It has no city. Altdorf, where the general aſſemblies are held, and the land amman and regency reſides, is the principal village.
The land amman and the principal magiſtrates are elected in the general aſſembly, in which all the male perſons of fifteen years of age have a right to a ſeat and a vote.
The ſenate or council of regency, in whom is veſted the executive power, is compoſed of ſixty members, taken equally from each genoſſamen, though they reſide at the capital borough. From this council are taken all the neceſſary officers.
There are two other councils; one called the chamber of ſeven, and the other the chamber of fifteen, for the management of leſſer affairs.
The valley of Urſeren, three leagues in length and one in breadth, marches under the banners of Uri; but it is but an ally, connected by treaty in 1410. It has its proper land amman and council, and has alſo a bailiwick ſubject to it.
The village of Gerſaw is a league in breadth, and two in length: there are about a thouſand inhabitants. This is the ſmaleſt republic in Europe: it has however its land amman, its council of regency, and its general aſſembly of burgeſſes, its courts of juſtice and militia, although it is ſaid there is not a ſingle horſe in the whole empire. Such a diminutive republic, in an obſcure corner, and unknown, is intereſting to Americans, not only becauſe every fpot of earth on which civil liberty flouriſhes deſerves their eſteem, but upon this occaſion is particularly im-
