Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico., the 12th of February, 1867

Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico.

Wishing to be present at the operations of the army in the interior, and to obviate, meanwhile, delay in the despatch of the business of the government, we decree:

Article 1. During our journey into the interior, the minister, with the convenience of the president of the council of ministers, will despatch the business of their respective branches.

Art. 2. The president of the council of ministers will despatch alone, or in council with his colleagues, as he may deem convenient, matters of gravity and importance.

Art. 3. The minister, the council of state, and all the authorities and functionaries, civil and military, of the empire, will comply with the orders of the president of the council of ministers.

Art. 4. The despatch of the business of the government will be done in our name.

Art. 5. Neither laws nor decrees shall be abrogated or issued except in urgent cases, on hearing the president of the council of state, and the respective section of the same council, should the urgency of the case permit. The laws and decrees shall be issued in our name, and shall be signed by the president of the council of ministers, and countersigned by the minister of the respective branch, upon his responsibility.

Art. 6. We reserve to ourselves the business of our house and court, with others which our instructions express.

Our ministers are intrusted with the execution of this decree so far as it appertains to each of them.

MAXIMILIAN.