THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS.
First Section. General Dispositions.
Art. 1. The constitutional laws actually in force, particularly the constitution of 1805, as well as the civil, political, and religious laws now exercised in the Batavian republic, the operation of which is conformable to the dispositions of the treaty concluded the 24th of May, in the present year, between his majesty the emperor of the French and king of Italy, and the Batavian republic, shall be wholly preserved, excepting only those which shall be abolished by the present constitutional laws.
2. The administration of the Dutch colonies is regulated by particular laws. The revenues and the expenses of the colonies shall be considered as making part of the revenues and expenses of the state.
3. The public debt of the state is guaranteed by the present articles.
4. The Dutch language shall continue to be employed exclusively for the laws, publications, ordinances, judgments, and all other public acts, without distinction.
5. There shall be no change made in the name or weight of the current coin, but by virtue of a particular law.
6. The ancient flag of the state shall be preserved.
7. The council of state shall be composed of thirteen members. The ministers shall have rank, a seat, and a vote in the council of state.
Section II. Of Religion.
Art. 1. The king and the law grant an equal protection to all religions professed in the state. By their authority is to be determined all that is judged necessary in the organization, the protection, and exercise of all worships. Every exercise of religion is confined to the interior of the temples of all the different communions.
2. The king is to enjoy in his palace, as well as in every place where he shall reside, the free and public exercise of his religion.
Section III. Of the King.
Art. 1. The King has exclusively, and without restriction, the entire exercise of the government, and of every necessary power to insure the execution of the laws, and to make them respected. He appoints to all the offices, and to all the civil and military employments, which, according to the preceding laws, were at the nomination of the grand pensionary. He has the entire enjoyment of the pre-eminences and prerogatives hitherto attached to that dignity. The coins of the state shall be stamped with his head. Justice is to be administered in his name. He is to have the right of granting pardon, abolition or remission of penalties inflicted by sentence of law: nevertheless, he cannot exercise this right without having heard in private council the members of the national court.
2. At the death of the king the guardianship of the minor king shall be always confided to the queen mother; and in case there shall be no queen mother, to such person as shall be appointed by the emperor of the French.
3. The regent shall be assisted by a national council, whose composition and privileges shall be determined by a particular law. The regent shall not be personally responsible for the acts of his government.
4. The government of the colonies, and all that relates to their internal administration, belongs exclusively to the king.
5. The general administration of the kingdom is confided to the immediate direction of four ministers of state, named by the king, viz. a minister for foreign affairs, a minister of war and of marine, a minister of finance, and a minister for the home department.
Section IV. Of the Law.
Art. 1. The laws of Holland being made by the concurrence of the legislative body, formed of the assembly of their high mightinesses and of the king; the legislative body shall be composed of thirty-nine members, elected for five years, and named in the following proportions, viz. for the department of Holland, seventeen members, for that of Guelderland, four; for that of Brabant, four; for that of Friesland, four; for that of Overyssel, three; for that of Zealand, two; for that of Groningen, two; for that of Utrecht, two; for the country of Drenthe, one. The number of the members of their high mightinesses may be augmented by the law, in case of the aggrandizement of territory.
2. For this time, in order to proceed to the nomination of the nineteen members of their high mightinesses, by whom the number determined in the preceding article will be completed, the assembly of their high mightinesses shall present to the king a list of two candidates to fill each of the places. The departmental assembly of each department shall equally propose a double list of candidates. The king will make the election among the proposed candidates.
3. The grand pensionary for the time being shall take the title of president of their high mightinesses, and shall remain in office in this character during his life. The choice of his successors shall take place in the manner determined by the constitution of 1805.
4. The legislative body shall elect from itself a notary by a majority of votes.
5. The legislative body shall reassemble as usual twice a year, viz. from the 15th of April to the 1st of June, and from the 15th of November to the 15th of January. An extraordinary convocation may be made by the king on the 15th of November in every year; the oldest fifth of the members forming the legislative body shall retire from the same. The first going out shall take place the 15th of November 1807; and for this time the persons going out shall be determined by lot. The members who go out shall be always re-eligible.
Section V. Of the Judiciary Power.
Art. 1. The judiciary institutions shall be preserved as they were established by the constitution of the year 1805.
2. The king shall exercise (relative to the judiciary power) all the rights and all the authority which have been attributed to the grand pensionary by the articles 49, 51, 56, 79, 82, and 87, of the constitution of the year 1805.
3. All that relates to the military criminal justice shall be separately regulated by a further law.