The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-18
Austria.

The Emperor of Austria has formally released
his cabinet from all political responsibility, and
has determined henceforh to exercise all rule and
authority as absolute monarch of that empire. The
official documents upon this subject appeared in
the Weiner Zeittng of August 90. They are as
follows:
Most High Cabinet Letter 10 the Minister President
DEAR PRINcE ScHwARzENBERG AS the respon-
sibiity OF the cabinet, il stands, is devoid
of legal distinctness and exacttude, my duties as
a monarch induce 20 relieve ministers from the
doubtful political position in which, as my coun-
cillors, and as the highest executive organs they
arc now placed, by declaring that they are
sponsible TO no other political authority than the
throne.
/. The cabinet has 10 swear in my hands uncon-
ditional fidelity, also the engagement to fulfil
all imperial resolutions and ordinances
> The cabinet WILL in this new position, have
punctually TO carry out my resolutions concerning
all laws, ordinances, maxims of administration,
or judicious by ministers, whether the latter
have been directed by me to consult and propose
them.
g. The cabinet and each minister in his depart
ment is responsible to for the exact ob5ervances
of the existing laws and imperial ordinances in
their administration. To each minister is entrusted
the direction of that branch of the administration
with which he is charged. i, however, to
myself the right of issuing more exact regulations
on this point.
4 The ministerial contra signature is in future
confined to the publication of laws and imperial
ordinances, and will be that of the Minister Presi
dent or that of those ministers with whose branch
the matter in question is connected The Director
of the Chancery of the Cabinet will sign under the
closing formula of "by most high command, ;"
which will stand toward the side.
These contra-sgnatures warranty that
the appointed forms have been observed, and that
the imperial ordinances have been punctually and
exactly carried out.
5. By the publication of laws and imperial ordi-
nay The aft havi hnard
net will be substituted for on the proposition Of
my cabinet
FRANz JOSEPH, (M.P)
ScHoNBnUNN, goth August, 1851.
Most High Cabinet Letter TO The President Of the
Reichsrath, Council Of The Empire.)
DEAR BARON KUBEoK: You will learn by the
subjoined copy of my ordinance TO the cabinet the
resolutions which have taken relative to the re-
sponsibilty and to the future position of my cabi
net. These resolutions induce me to introduce
some changes in the statutes of my Reichsrath
|. The Reichsrath is from this time forward to
be considered as my council and the council ofmy
throne.
3 In consequence of this declaration, drafts of
laws, ordinances, or other such matters, have not
TO be presented by the cabinet to the Reichsrath for
its opinion, but always to me. Agreeably to par.
OF its statutes, reserve TO myself the right ofde
handing the opinion of the Reichsrath and of di-
recting the discussion of matters under my own
immediate direction, or that Gifts president.
3. reserve to myself the right of commanding
the attendance of ministers or their deputies at the
councils of the Reichsrath, according to circum-
stances and necessity.
The alterations in the order of business, and IN
other matters arising from the ordinances you have
to lay before me without loss of time If drafts of
laws which have been forwarded by the cabinet to
the Reichsrah still under discussion due notice
is 10 be given TO me- and under all circumstances
the results of the deliberations of the council
be laid before me. FRANZ JOSEPH, IN. P.)
SoHoNDRUNN, Aug. 90, 1851.
Most High Cabinet Letter TO the Minister President
DEAR Prince ScHwARzENBERe: BY the accom-
panying copy you and the cabinet will see the al
tcrations which have thought proper to make in
the position and statutes ofSthe Reichsrath; and
the cabinet, in far it is concerned, has to act
accordingly. FRANZ JOSEPH, on. P.)
ScHoNBRuNN, Aug. 20, 1851
Most High Cabinet Letter TO The Minister President
DEAR Prince SeHwARzENBERG: AS an immediate
consequence of the resolutions which have taken
relative to the political position of my cabinet,
find it absolutely necessary that the question of the
maintenance and of the possibility of carrying out
the constitution of the 4th of March, l649, should
be taken into ripe and serious consideration.
You have to consult with the President Of my
Reichsrath. and to give me as possible your
mutual opinions and propositions relative to the
manner and extent OF the question, as also as to
the proceedings and forms TO be observed during
the examination.
During the examination Of this question, and in
all future discussions concerning 1t, you have to
consider as principle and object and the ire
fragabe foundation of all your operations, the
maintenance of all the conditions Of monarchical
government, and the unity of the States of the
empire. Franz JOSEPH, (M. P.)
ScHoNBRuNN, August 20, 1851.