Imperial Charter for New Esbec

[John Ivory 4546]

Imperial Charter for the Municipality of New Esbec

9th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1796

 

NOW THEREFORE KNOW YE that We, by virtue of our prerogative Imperial and Royal and of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere knowledge have granted and declared and do hereby for Us, Our Heirs and Successors grant and declare as follows…

 

That the bearer of this writ, Anton Talhoffer, be chartered, by Imperial appointment, proprietor of the lands of New Esbec, on the western coast of Lake Esbec, itself near to the western frontier, and that this land, justly surveyed by Our Crown surveyors, be under their ownership, and that they [hereinafter called “The Proprietor”] are charged to develop a colony as well as establish, in accordance with the exact principles of this writ, a municipal government, as a matter of immediate priority to Our gracious reign.

 

That the term ‘ownership’, in the context of The Proprietor, be construed as private property subject to Us, Our law and Our government, and shall not be tied or associated with any such peerage, polity, governmental nor public office, nor Crown office, the holding of which shall remain separate to the duties and privileges enumerated in this document.

 

That The Proprietor shall hold the economic privilege of ownership and extraction with respect to any natural resources, which are already deemed present or may be otherwise discovered, in the surveyed territory.

 

That this charter shall officially incorporate the municipality of New Esbec, and shall enumerate the offices and principles of the municipal government therein, and that all appointments to such offices must remain strictly consistent with this writ under Our graciousness, and that the creation of any further offices outside of the purview of this writ remain strictly illegal, with any amendments to said writ occuring only by the due consent of Us, Our Heirs and Successors.

 

That by Our command, The Proprietor shall be discharged forthwith to establish the requisite conditions for the creation of this municipality, operating in accordance with Our Crown law, as an Imperial subject in totality, under singular jurisdiction. 

 

That this municipal government be composed firstly of a magistrate, who shall serve by Our Crown appointment, and who shall...

 

I. Be a justice of the peace.

II. Hear cases, trial, or other disputes that may arise within the municipality, in original jurisdiction.

III. Apply the supreme law of Our Crown and Counsellors within the municipality.

IV. Administrate free and fair municipal elections.

V. Administrate the collection of any national taxes, excises or tariffs on behalf of Our Treasury.

VI. Retain access to all municipal records or ledgers. 

VII. Report the fomentation of sedition, turmoil, discord, libel and acts against Our Crown or Our government. 

 

That this municipal government be composed secondly of a sheriff, who shall be elected from among the residents of this municipality, and who shall…

 

I. Arrest and detain criminal suspects reasonably accused of violations of Our law until such time as they may be tried.

II. Investigate, and bring to trial on behalf of Our Crown, cases criminal within the municipality.

III. Cooperate with Our Crown deputies and authorities on all cases and investigations, local or otherwise.

IV. Be allowed to deputize a single, non-uniformed person.

 

That this municipal government be composed thirdly of a clerk, who shall be elected from among the residents of this municipality, and who shall…

 

I. Set the rate of taxation at the municipal level.

II. Administrate the collection of municipal taxes or rents, and sale of residences and other properties.

III. Be responsible for the maintenance of the municipal ledger. 

IV. Be allowed to deputize a single, non-uniformed person.

 

That these three offices, in conjunction with The Proprietor [who themselves shall bear no formal office or post separate from his ownership of the private property from which the municipality derives], comprise and be referred to in corporation as the town council, who shall together serve as the municipality’s executive body, responsible for its operation, and that this executive shall not be construed as possessing the powers of a legislature [that is, a law-maker], but shall instead operate through the application of the law of Our Crown and Counsellors as well as through the delegated statutory authority We explicitly establish by the aforementioned articles of this writ. 

 

ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED, 

 

Anne I, by the grace of GOD Holy Orenian Empress, forever August, Queen of Renatus, Curon, Salvus and Seventis, Defender of the Faith, Duchess of Adria, Novellen and Lorraine, Baroness of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders, Highlanders, and Farfolk, etcetera.

 

Joseph II, by the grace of GOD Holy Orenian Emperor, forever August, King of Renatus, Curon, Salvus, and Seventis, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Adria, Novellen and Lorraine, Baron of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders, Highlanders, and Farfolk, etcetera.

 

SIGNED AND WITNESSED,

 

Mr. Anton Talhoffer