tv Inaugural Address. 
The Constitutions had been collected in three Codes—the 
Gregorian, Hermogenian, and Theodosian, but the latter, 
published by the Emperor Theodosius, confirmed and adopte 
ed the two former, and as the writings of the Civilians cone 
sisted of such only as were sanctioned by the Code of Theo- 
dosius, there is reason to believe that it was the Theodosian 
Code only which was called the Roman Law.(1) 
The power of the Roman Empire, in Gaul, was totally 
ahnihilated about the year 450 of the Christian era, Rome, 
weakened by the extent of her dominion, and yet more by 
the degeneracy ofher citizens, debased iu sentiments, dee 
pressed in talents and enervated in courage, (2) fell a sacri- 
fice to the more hardy and enterprising Nations of the North, 
and the Government of all that extent of Territory, which 
has since been denominated France, was transferred to Bar 
barians—to the Franks and their associate Tribes—the 
Goths and Burgundians,3) and from the accession of the 
first Chieftain of the Franks (Meroveée,) France dates the 
origin of her Monarchy, divided intothree Dynasties or ra- 
ces of Kingse-The Merovingian—the Carlovingian—and the 
Capetiau. The first comprehends Merovée and his descend- 
ants, who possessed the Throne from the year 450, to the 
year 770, when they were succeeded by Charles, the gon of 
Pepin, afterwards called Charlesmagne, and his descendants, 
who constitute the Carlovingian race, im whose possession 
it remained until the year 987, when it passed to the Capes 
tian race, who continued in possession, until the death of 
the late unfortunate Monarch, Louis the 16th, a descendant 
from Hugh Capet, the first of the Capetian dynasty.(4) 
There was notamong the Barbarians, by whom the Romans 
were expelled, any general Government, they were subject, 
in 
(1) Fleury, p. 12. 
(2) Gibbon’s Decline & Fall, vol 1st p, 94. 1st. L. C. Dénizart’s Dis- 
cours Préliminaire, p, 59. 
(3) Esprit des Loix, Lib. 30, c. 6, vol. 2, p. 354. 
(4) See the Histories of rance byDuhaillan, Mezeray, &c. 
