The Sun.
London, England, 1822-05-10 00:00:00

DECREE.

Whereas, I have assented to the repeated wishes and desires
of the loyal Inhabitants of this City and of the provinces of St.
Paulo and Minas Geraes, that I should preserve the Regency
of this Kingdom, which my august Father conferred upon. me,
until it receive, through the Constitution of the Monarchy, a
final organization, wise, just, and adequate to its inalienable
rights, dignity, and future felicity—for as much also that by
taking any other course this rich and extensive Kingdom of
Brazil would be exposed to the evils of anarchy and civil war ;
and, desiring for the general advantage of the United Kingdom,
and in particular for the benefit of the people of Brazil, to
anticipate the regulation and complete establislimht of that con-
stitutional system which they so well merit, and which I have
sworn to give them, with the view of henceforth forming a
central authority for measures and objects, whereby the
integrity and liberty of this great and fertile country may
be the better maintained and defended, and its future felicity
secured ; 1 have thought fit to order the convocation of a council
of Gemral Representatives (Procuradores Geraes) of the pro-
vinces of Brazil to represent them pro tempare : those provinces
which have four Deputies in the Cones electiri one representa-
tive ; those which have from four to eight deputies, two repre-
sentatives ; and those which have eight deputies or upwards,
three. These representatives may be removed from their charge
by their respective provinces, in case of not duly performing
their duty, should such removal be required by two-thirds of
the provincial councils in a general and extraordinary assem-
bly ; the nomination of other representatives in their stead be-
ing then made.
These representatives shall be nominated by parochial electors
assembled in the chief places, and the 'election shall undergo a. scru-
tiny by the council of the capital of the province, those being finally
returned who shall have the greater number of votes among the no-
minees. In case of inequality of votes, the deeision shall be made
by lot. All the said nominations and scrutinies shall take
place in conformity with the instructions which my august fa-
ther ordered to be executed by the decree of ;:the 7th of March,
1821, in so far as it may be applicable, and is not revoked by
the present decree. _ _ _ _

The duties of this Council shall be :-Ist, To give me ad-
vice whenever I may call for it, in all important and difficult
affairs. 2d, To examine the great plans of reform which must
be made in the general and particular administration of the
State, when they shall be' committed to the said Council.
3d. To propose to me those measures and plans which may
appear most urgent and advantageous for the welfare of the
united kingdom, and the prosperity of Brazil. 4th, Each mem-
ber to advocate and zealously attend to the interests of his re-
spective province.
This Council shall meet in a hall of my palace at all times
when I order it to be convoked ' • and, besides, whenever it may
appear necessary for the said Council to assemble, in conse-
quence of the urgency of public affairs; on which occasions
sqtice shall be gived to me by the Secretary of State for the
dfairs of the kingdom.
This Council shall be presided by myself, and its sittings
:ball be attended by my Ministers and. Secretaries of State, who
+all have seats and votes therein. For the better manage-
ment and dispatch of affairs, the Council shall appoint from
among its Members a Vice-President monthly, who may be re-
chosen, should such a re-election appear proper. The Council
shall also appoint a Secretary, who shall write out the minutes
cf the Sittings, draw up the plans which may be approved and
l the Resolutions come to by the Council. As soon as the Re-

presentatives of three provinces shall be assembled, the Council
shall proceed in its functions.

In Order that due honour may be paid to such distinguished
citizens, I have thought fit to grant to them the title of Excel-
lency while in the exercise of their important duties ; and I
further order, that in all public ceremonies the Council shall
take precedence of every other corporation of the State, and that
its members shall enjoy all the pre-eminences hitherto usually
enjoyed by Counsellors of State in the kingdom'of Portugal.
Joze Bonifacio de Andrade e Silva, Minister and Secrerary of
State for the Affairs of the Kingdom and for Foreign Affairs, is
charged to see this Decree executed with the necessary dispatch.
(Signed) By his Royal HighneTs the PRINCE REUENT.
(Countersigned) JOZE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADE E
S ILYA .
The Palace, Feb. 16, 1822.

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