The reform of theprivate city and village administration in the 18th century (using Francis Sapieha estates in Western Belarus as an example)
The article deals with three instructions of F. Sapieha for Belaru-sian estates dated 1794-1795: about theorganization of self-government in the town Vysokoe in the Brest Voivodeship (Province), about theorganization of the Qahal self-government in this town andabout the establishment of rural courts in above mentionedlandowner estates. Have been analyzed the functioning principles, basic norms and rulesof activities introduced go-vernance institutions. It is noted thatthese reforms were caused by the spread ofon the territory of Belarus Enlightenment ideology. The original texts of the aforementioned documents were presented.