Thereupon they divided all France into nine great provinces or circles, composed each of several governments or provinces of the realm.

Each circle had a separate council, composed of from five to seven members, and commissioned to fix and apportion the separate imposts, to keep up a standing army, to collect the supplies necessary for the maintenance and defence of the party.

The Calvinistic republic had its general assemblies, composed of nine deputies or representatives from each of the nine circles.

These assemblies were invested with authority to order, on the general account, all that the juncture required, that is to say, with a legislative power distinct from that of the crown and nation.

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