Inaugural Address. XII 
where they united and entered into armed associations for mu, 
tual defence.(1) 
These associations, which began durivg the reign of ‘‘Louis 
le Gros,” about the year 1109, & were called ‘* communes,” 
could not long remain without some government; regulations, 
therefore were made, and usages adopted by each commune 
for the control of its subjects, and being asylums for all who 
where inclined to be peaceable, and barriers against the com- 
mon enemy (the Seigneurs) the crown afforded them every 
assistance in its power—conceded to them the right of enact- 
ing Laws for their own internal Government and enfranchised 
the Inhabitants.(2) 
The seigneurs plainly saw that the Institution of com- 
munes was adverse to their interest, yet they could not pre- 
vent the increase of such associations; they even found them- 
selves compelled to have recourse to the same expedient to 
prevent their dependants from taking refuge in the royal ci- 
ties which were incorporated : many of the towas, also, within 
their territories, were willing to purchase charters of liberty, 
and as most of the seigneurs had expended large sums in the 
holy wars, and were needy, they sold them as a means of 
present relief, From hence, in less than two centuries, 
most of the towns in France, from a state of dependence, be- 
came free corporations, and personal servitude was generally 
abolished.(3) 
The effects of these establishments were very soon felt ; 
they were found to afford a degree of security equal to thar 
which was afforded by the seigueurs, who began to be of less 
importance when they ceased to be the protectors of the peo- 
ple. The communes themselves became attached to their 
sovereign, whom they considered as the author of their liber- 
ties, and they looked to the Crown as the common centre of 
union, necessary for the defenee of the whole against their 
oppressors. 
(1) Dict, de Jurisp. vol. 3d. p, 17. 
(2) Dict. de Jurisp. vol. 3d p. 17. Réper. vol. 13. verbo “ commune,” 
(3) Robertson's Charles V, vol. ist. p. 33, 227 & 251. 
