Beauplan.
ing to their Power; for every one is attended by his Friends and Subjects in the best condition they can, being well disciplin'd, and with a Resolution to fight in case they cannot agree. Observe, that during the time of the Election, all the Nobility of the Country was upon its Guard, every one with his foot in the Stirrup ready to mount upon the least disagreement or falling out, to fall upon those that should attempt to infringe their Liberties. At length, after several Sittings and Audiences, they agreed upon a Prince for their King; every one, or at least the chief of the Senators and Deputies, put his Hand to it, but did not publish it till next day. Then every one returning to his Quarters, gives Orders to his Troops to be ready to draw up, according to the Great General's command (for then they all put themselves under the great Standard of the Crown) and were ready to cry, Long live the King, calling him by his Name. After three shouts they fir'd Volleys of all the Cannon and small Arms, expressing their satisfaction, and repeating it three times. Then all the Senate rose, and the principal Senators went to the Elder Prince who had been chosen King, and was then at a Village half a League off. After saluting him in the Name of all the Republick, they made a Speech, declaring how they had chosen him for their King, desiring him to accept of it, and to receive them under the Government of his Wisdom, assuring him they would be his most faithful and most obedient Subjects. The King accepting, the Senators shew'd him their Laws and Statutes (tho he was not ignorant of them) which he promis'd to observe inviolably. Next day they conducted him to St. John's Church at Warsaw, where before the Altar the King took his Oath; these that follow were the Articles read to him in the presence of all the Assembly.
[Articles the King swears to observe.]
1. That he shall never enjoy any Demesn of the Crown but what is assign'd him; so they term their State.
2. That it shall not be in his Power to purchase or possess one soot of Land in it.
3. That he shall not give out Commissions for raising of Men, unless they have been appointed in the Diet.
4. That it shall not be in his Power, after the expiration of 24 hours, to cause any Polish Gentleman to be imprisoned, unless it be for High Treason against his Person, or the State.
5. That he shall not declare War, nor so much as send an Ambassador upon Affairs of State, without the Consent of the Republick.
6. That be shall always allow three Senators to be near bis Person to assist him in Council; and that they shall have an eye upon bis Actions, for fear he should contrive any thing to their Prejudice. These three Senators serve quarterly, so that the King can bring about nothing but what must be presently known.
7. The King shall not marry, make any Alliances, nor go out of the Kingdom, without Consent of the Senate.
8. It shall not be in his Power to make any Commoner Noble for any Service done, unless it be to the State, and then the Senate must consent to it.
The King's Power.
The King, tho thus ty'd to Conditions, yet has the Power, not only of bestowing all Ecclesiastical Benefices, but all Lands belonging to the Crown, as they fall, but it must be to Gentlemen that are Subjects of the Crown; and particularly to such as have merited by their Service, either in War or Embassies, or other publick Service, that this may be a Reward, and make others vie to be useful and vertuous.
He has also the Sovereign Power to grant leave to burn Wood in those Lands and Governments he bestows, for making of Pot and other Ashes, which yield a great Revenue, tho it destroys much Wood.
He has also the Right of bestowing all Offices, from the highest to the lowest, and that for Life; for no Man can be removed from his Employment without his own Consent, or being proceeded against according to Law.
He appoints the meeting of Diets, which are usually held every two Years. When he goes to War, he may oblige all the Gentry of any Province to attend him by way of Arrier-Ban; and whosoever fails, forfeits his Head, his Race loses its Nobility, and his Goods are confiscated to the Crown. This is the Extent of his Power; and tho he be a King, his Hands are tied up in many Cases, not doing as he thinks fit, but being forced to consent to many things against his Inclination. Nevertheless he is Head of the Republick, and all things are done in his Name, tho he can do nothing of himself.
Polish Nobility.
The Polish Nobility are all equal, there being no Superiority among them, as is usual in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, &c. where there are Dukes, Marquesses, Earls,Barons,
