book I f indeed we were inclined to point out any particular pe-
riod, at which the Poliih conftitution attained its moft perfect
ftate, we ihould perhaps fix on the reign of Sigifmondl. when
the perfon and property of the fubjedt were fecured by ample
provifions ; and the crown ftill retained confiderable influence.
But the time was arrived, when an inordinate pafiion
for liberty led the nobles to render the throne wholly
eledtive; and at each election to continue their encroachments
upon the regal authority, until the king was reduced
to a mere pageant. The firft public attempt towards efta-
bliihing this favourite objedt of the Poles, a free election of
the king, was brought forward in the reign of Sigifmond
Auguftus, fon and fucceflor of Sigifmond I. who was con-
ftrained in 1550 to agree, that no future king ihould fuc-
ceed to the throne, unlefs he was freely eledted by the nation.
The death of Sigifmond Auguftus without iflue gave efficacy
to this conceflion, which might otherwife have been
counteradted by the popularity and influence attendant on a
claimant by hereditary fucceffion. For it may not be
improper to remark, that, during the Jaghellon fine, the
fovereigns upon their acceffion, or eledtion, although formally
raifed to the throne by the confent of the nation, ftill
refted their pretenfions upon hereditary right, as well as
upon this confent; always ftyling themfelves heirs of the
kingdom of Poland. Sigifmond Auguftus, in whom the
male line of the Jaghellon family became extindt, was the
laft who bore that title *.
IV. The fourth period begins upon the demife of Sigifmond
Auguftus, in 15 7 2 , when all title to the crown
from hereditary right was formally abrogated, and the moft
* Lengnich, Jus Pub, V,. I, p . 59,
abfolute
abfolute freedom of eledtion eftablifhed u p o n the moft per- cha p .
manent bafis. At this sera a charter o f immunities was ■ ■
drawn up at a general diet, a ratification of which it was
determined to exadt from the new fovereign, prior to his
eledtion. The ground-work o f this charter, termed in the
Poliih law PaSia Convent a, was the whole body of privileges
obtained from Louis and his fucceflors, with the following
additions : i . That the king ihould be eledtive, and that his
fucceflor ihould never be appointed during his life. 2.
That the diets, the holding of which depended folely upon
the will of the kings, ihould be aflembled every two years.
3. That every* noble or gentleman in the whole realm ihould
have a vote in the diet of eledtion. 4. That, in cafe the king
ihould infringe the laws and privileges of the nation, his
fubjedts ihould be abfolved from their oaths of allegiance.
From this period the PaSIa Conventa, occafionally enlarged,
have been confirmed by every fovereign at his coronation.
Henry of Valois, duke o f Anjou and brother of Charles
IX. King of France, was the firft fovereign who afcended the
throne after the conftitution had been thus new-modelled.
He fecured his eledtion, as well by private bribes to the nobles,
as by a ftipulation to pay an annual penfion to the Republic
from the revenues of France. His example has been
neceflarily followed by each fucceeding fovereign, who,
befide an unconditional ratification of the Pa£la Conventa,
has been always conftrained to purchafe the crown by a
public largefs and by private corruption ; circumftances
which endear to the Poles an eledtive monarchy.
Under Stephen Bathori, the regal power was ftill further
abridged by the appointment of fixteen refident fenators,
* See the Definition o f a N oble. C h .V III.
C 2 chofen