Royal Decree of the 25th of June, 1806, creating general directors for the different departments of the public administration.
Louis Napoleon, &c. considering, that the affairs of the colonies are administered by two councils, who have neither strength nor unity sufficient to act to the advantage of the interests of the kingdom; and that nevertheless this important branch of the administration of the affairs of the kingdom merits all our solicitude: considering, that the ministry of marine is of too high a nature, and that the objects which relate to it are too multiplied and too abstract to be united with that of the war department: considering, that the minister for the home department is sufficiently occupied by the inspection of administration, and the inspection of the waters; by the cares of promoting the advancement of agriculture; of the public safety and instruction; and, indeed, of the arts and sciences, we have decreed as follows:
Art. 1. There shall be three general directors, who shall follow immediately in rank the ministers, and shall be employed directly with us, viz. The director general of the war department; the director general of the affairs of India and of commerce; the director general of affairs relative to public worship and justice, and at the same time charged with the care of all that regards the safety of the kingdom.
2. They shall enjoy the honours, rank, and treatment of ministers.
3. Our ministers are respectively charged, as far as they are concerned, with the execution of the present decree.