GRISONS, a people situated among the Alps, and allies of the Swiss. Their country is bounded on the north by the counties of Surgans and Bludenz, the canton of Glaris, and the principality of Lichtenstein; on the south by the canton's Italian bailiwics, the county of Chavanne, and the Valteline; on the east by the territories of Venice and Milan; and on the west by some of the Italian bailiwics, and the canton of Uri. It is divided into three leagues, viz. the Grifon or grey league, the league of the house of God, and that of the ten jurisdictions. The two first lie towards the south, and the third towards the north. The length of the whole is above 70 miles, and the breadth about 60. The inhabitants are said to have had the name of Grifons from the grey coats they wore in former times. This country, lying among the Alps, is very mountainous; but the mountains yield good pasture for cattle, sheep, and goats, with some rye and barley: in the valleys there is plenty of grain, pulse, fruits, and wine. This country also abounds with hogs and wild-fowl; but there is a scarcity of fish and salt, and their horses are mostly purchased of foreigners. The principal rivers are the Rhine, the Inn, and the Adda. Here are also several lakes, most of which lie on the tops of the hills. The language of the Grifons is either a corrupt Italian, or the German. About two-thirds of the inhabitants are Calvinists, and the rest Papists; the latter of whom, in spirituals, are under the bishop of Coire, except a few that are in the diocese of Como. Each of the leagues is subdivided into several lesser communities, which are so many democracies; every male above 16 having a share in the government of the community, and a vote in the election of magistrates. Deputies from the several communities constitute the general diet of the Grifon leagues, which meets annually, and alternately at the capital of each league; but they can conclude nothing without the consent of their
Grifons constituents. This country was anciently a part of Rhetia. After the extinction of the Roman empire in the west, it was some time subject to its own dukes, or those of Swabia. Then the bishop of Coire, and other petty princes, dependent on the emperors of Germany, became masters of great part of it: at last, by the extinction of some, purchase, voluntary grants, and force, it got rid of all its lords, and erected itself into three distinct republics, each of which, as we observed already, is subdivided into a certain number of communities, which are a sort of republics, exercising every branch of sovereignty, except that of making peace or war, sending embassies, concluding alliances, and enacting laws relating to the whole country, which belong to the provincial diets of the several leagues. The communities may be compared to the cities of Holland, and the diets of the several leagues to the provincial states. The particular diets are composed of a deputy from each community; and both in them and the communities every thing is determined by a majority of votes. In the communities, every male above 16 has a vote. Besides the annual provincial diets for choosing the chiefs and other officers, and deliberating on the affairs of the respective leagues, there are general diets for what concerns all the three leagues, or whole body. In both these, the representatives can do nothing of themselves, but are tied down to the instructions of their principals: however, as all resolutions are decided by the plurality of votes, and as the Protestants are at least two-thirds of the people, this republic may be deemed a Protestant state. There is a general seal for all the three leagues; and each particular league has a separate seal. Besides the stated times of meeting, extraordinary diets are sometimes summoned, when either the domestic affairs of the state or any foreign minister require it. In the general diets, the Grey League has 28 votes; that of the House of God, 23; and that of the Ten Jurisdictions, 15. These leagues, at different times, have entered into close alliances with the neighbouring cantons, and their associates. The bailiwics belonging in common to the three leagues are those of the Valteline, Chievane, Bormio, Meyenfeld, Malans, and Jennins; the officers of which are nominated successively by the several communities, every two years. The yearly revenue arising to the Grifons from their bailiwics is said to amount to about 13,500 florins. The public revenues all together are but small, though there are many private persons in the country that are rich. However, in case of any extraordinary emergency, they tax themselves in proportion to the necessity of the service, and the people's abilities. They have no regular troops, but a well-disciplined militia; and upon occasion, it is said, can bring a body of 30,000 fighting men into the field: but their chief security arises from the narrow passes and high mountains by which they are surrounded.