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Article TRANSCAUCASIA. ← Page 4 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Transcaucasia.
through the provinces , listened to complaints and petitions , and redressed many CAQ IS and abuses . Meanwhile the commissioners continued their labours , and in 1841 a new civil administration , separating the military and civil departments , was introduced ; the government Avas assimilated to that of Russia , the country Avas divided into circles and districtsall under a
governor-, general , aided by an administrative council . At the same time the laws and institutions of these provinces were kept in force as far as possible , whilst among the first reforms effected Avas that of rendering the administration of justice expeditious and cheap . Among the native institutions there exists a municipal or communal councilelected by each toAvn and districtAvho
, , administer their own local affairs , leA'y the taxes , and are the guardians of the public peace and safety . Besides these , there are courts of arbitration , for the settlement of disputes . Each commune has also a " Natzval , " or chief magistrate , elected by the heads of families ; he retains office for life , is tax-free , and receives a small salary ; the control of the police is in his hands
, but disputes are referred to the chief of the circle . This magistrate is found in the different provinces under various names . The particulars given by Baron Haxthausen relative to the condition of the peasantry , the rates of taxation and Avages , the tenure of the soil , & c , present an interesting picture of the country , to Avhich Ave can here only refer in passing .
One of the most important of these countries is Georgia , Avhich is , perhaps , one of the most ancient monarchies in the world . According to her chroniclers , the line of her kings commences Avith Karthlos , the contemporary of Abraham : there is said to be historical evidence that the Georgian monarchy had , in 1800 , existed for 2 , 245 years : one dynasty
( the Pagratides ) reigned uninterruptedly from the sixth century . Early in the present century they ceded the throne to Russia , and their descendants now reside at MOSCOAV or St . Petersburgh , enjoying the semblance of royal honours . According to recent accounts from the seat of Avar , Ave are informed that it is the intention of the Western Powers to
restore the independence of Georgia , and to replace the sovereign upon his throne . This exhibits one of the numerous points of interest Avhich this work of Baron Haxthausen possesses at the present moment : Ave shall have occasion to notice others .
The national organization of Georgia was at an early period of a perfectly feudal character . The nobles immediately surrounded the king , occupied the first rank , and Avere in turn looked up to by the inferior nobles ; Avhile the peasants , though
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Transcaucasia.
through the provinces , listened to complaints and petitions , and redressed many CAQ IS and abuses . Meanwhile the commissioners continued their labours , and in 1841 a new civil administration , separating the military and civil departments , was introduced ; the government Avas assimilated to that of Russia , the country Avas divided into circles and districtsall under a
governor-, general , aided by an administrative council . At the same time the laws and institutions of these provinces were kept in force as far as possible , whilst among the first reforms effected Avas that of rendering the administration of justice expeditious and cheap . Among the native institutions there exists a municipal or communal councilelected by each toAvn and districtAvho
, , administer their own local affairs , leA'y the taxes , and are the guardians of the public peace and safety . Besides these , there are courts of arbitration , for the settlement of disputes . Each commune has also a " Natzval , " or chief magistrate , elected by the heads of families ; he retains office for life , is tax-free , and receives a small salary ; the control of the police is in his hands
, but disputes are referred to the chief of the circle . This magistrate is found in the different provinces under various names . The particulars given by Baron Haxthausen relative to the condition of the peasantry , the rates of taxation and Avages , the tenure of the soil , & c , present an interesting picture of the country , to Avhich Ave can here only refer in passing .
One of the most important of these countries is Georgia , Avhich is , perhaps , one of the most ancient monarchies in the world . According to her chroniclers , the line of her kings commences Avith Karthlos , the contemporary of Abraham : there is said to be historical evidence that the Georgian monarchy had , in 1800 , existed for 2 , 245 years : one dynasty
( the Pagratides ) reigned uninterruptedly from the sixth century . Early in the present century they ceded the throne to Russia , and their descendants now reside at MOSCOAV or St . Petersburgh , enjoying the semblance of royal honours . According to recent accounts from the seat of Avar , Ave are informed that it is the intention of the Western Powers to
restore the independence of Georgia , and to replace the sovereign upon his throne . This exhibits one of the numerous points of interest Avhich this work of Baron Haxthausen possesses at the present moment : Ave shall have occasion to notice others .
The national organization of Georgia was at an early period of a perfectly feudal character . The nobles immediately surrounded the king , occupied the first rank , and Avere in turn looked up to by the inferior nobles ; Avhile the peasants , though