Commenced in 1308 by the temporary, and in 1315 by the perpetual Union, of Uri, Switz & Underwald, for the defence of their liberties agst. the invasions of the House of Austria. In 1315 the Confederacy included 8 Cantons; and 1513 the number of 13 was compleated by the accession of appenzel. Code de l’Hum.
The General Diet representing the United Cantons is composed of two deputies from each. Some of their allies as the Abbè St. Gall &c. are allowed by long usage to attend by their deputies. Id
All general Diets are held at such time & place as Zurich which is first in rank & the depositery of the common archives shall name in a circular summons. But the occasion of annual conferences for the administration of their dependent bailages has fixed the same time, to wit the feast of St. John, for the General Diet. And the City of Frawenweld in Turgovia is now the place of Meeting. Formerly it was the City of Baden. Id
The Diet is opened by a Complimentary Address of the first Deputy of each Canton by turns, called the Helvetic Salutation. It consists in a congratulatory review of circumstances & events favorable to their common interest—and exhortations to Union and patriotism.
The deputies of the first Canton Zurich propose the matters to be discussed. Questions are decided by plurality of voices. In case of division, the Bailiff of Turgovia has the casting one. The Session of the Diet continues about a Month. Id
After the objects of universal concern are despatched, such of the deputies whose Constituents have no share in the dependent bailages, withdraw, and the Diet then becomes a representation of the Cantons to whom these bailages belong, and proceeds to the consideration of the buisness [sic] relating thereto. Id
Extraordinary Diets for incidental business or giving audience to foreign Ministers may be called at any time by any one of the Cantons, or by any foreign Minister who will defray the expence of meeting. Seldom a year without an extraordinary Diet. Stanyan’s Switzerland
There is an annual Diet of 12 Cantons by 1 Deputy from each for the affairs of the Ultramontane bailages. Code de l’Human.
Particular Cantons also have their diets for their particular affairs, the time & place for whose meeting are settled by their particular Treaties.
All public affairs are now treated not in Genl. Diet but in the particular Assemblies of Protestant & Catholic Cantons. D’Albon.