von Bismarck to To the President of the Ministry of State, Prince von Bismarck, December 24, 1872

A decree, dated the 21st instant, of His Majesty the Emperor and King to Prince von Bismarck, reads thus:

In accordance with the suggestion contained in your report of the 20th instant, I hereby relieve you of the presidency of my ministry of state. You will still report to me concerning the affairs of the empire and foreign affairs, and, in case of your being prevented from taking part, personally, in a session of the ministry of state, you will have the right to cause your vote to be given, on your own responsibility, by the president of the office of the chancellor of the empire, Minister of State Delbruck, in matters concerning the interests of the empire. The presidency of the ministry of state will be transferred to the senior minister of state. I have brought this matter to the knowledge of the ministry of state.