As each community is bound according to the new Imperial Edict (Hatti Humayun, 6/18 Feb. 1856) to examine within a given time its rights and privileges, and after due deliberation to present to the Sublime Porte the reforms required by the present state of things and the progress of civilisation of our times,
As it is necessary to harmonise the authority and power granted to the religious chief of each nationality with the new condition and system secured to each community,
A Committee of some honourable persons of the nation was organised, which Committee prepared for the nation the following Constitution.
ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONSTITUTION
Fundamental Principles
1. Each individual has obligations towards the nation. The nation, in its turn, has obligations towards each individual. Again, each individual and the nation have their respective rights over one another.
Hence the nation and its constituents are bound together by mutual duties, so that the duty of the one is the right of the other.
2. It is the duty of each member of the nation to share according to his means in the expenses of the nation, willingly to accept any services asked of him by the nation, and to submit to its decision.
These duties of the individual are the rights of the nation.