163: ’ -the-traveller.. No. ut. Dec. 5. 
»tional Afsembly, which meets every yearin thechurch, 
‘in the month of May, to deliberate on public affairs, 
‘to revise ‘the laws, and to form new ordinances. 
‘Every male above sixteen years of age, is a member 
of this afsembly. ‘One day usually concludes their 
‘sefsion. The executive power is entrusted toa chief — 
~magistrate, who is called Jandman, who continues 
in office two years. ‘There are several other officers ; 
a council, whose functions are well defined, and a 
‘criminal tribunal, which fortunately has séldom oc- 
-casion to act. 
This .state formed one of the earliest constituent 
‘members of the Helvetic league. -Gersaw conclu- 
‘ded an alliance with the cantons of Uri, Schweitz, 
vand Undervaldin the year 1315; and this alliance was 
-confirmed in 1359. At this last epoch it had the 
seanton of Lucerne for a fourth ally; and in 143% 
-the number of men that Gersaw fhould furnith to 
the allies in time .of war, was fixed at one hun- 
‘dred. / ? 
_ Nothing ‘can exceed the innocence and gentlenefs 
of this harmlefs people when unprovoked, unlefs it 
be their firmnefs and intrepidity when dangers threa- 
ten. Accustomed to brave dangers on the deep, and 
along the rocks in the mountains, they are a hardy 
and determined race ; nor ever lose their presence of 
‘mind on any emergency. Strangers seldom land 
here ; and when it does happen, as there is neither 
ann nor place of entertainment of any sort in the 
whole republic, the inhabitants no sooner see a 
stranger land, than the first that meets him accosts 
