Encore of Europe: Gameplay Thread

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Polish-Lithuanian Proclamation as a response to the Portugese on a "Congress for Peace"



To the Queen of Portugal, Maria Braganza

We are certainly happy that you seem to be at least thinking of peace, despite your plots to start a new world war, we just have a single question. Is the Polish-Lithuanian Republic going to be excluded as a voting member on this possible Congress for Peace?  Because that is certainly what your statement seems to be implying.  We would like clarification on this issue, because we have received information from a trustworthy source that your so called coalition of "Self-Defense" was created as a means to conquer Austria, France, and our Republic, and this implied snubbing of the Republic would seem to be proof that you do have war on your mind.

In addition to this question, we would like the text of this coalition offer to be viewed by all citizens of Europe, it is printed below.

Hello envoys of Spain, Great Britain, Russia, and Prussia. We are here to offer an Alliance of Convenience for us all. We all have a common enemy or clash with our interests, either Domestic or Abroad. I am of course speaking of France, Austria, and the Polish-Lithuanian Republic. Defeating each will give us our own success in our own goals. If the Polish are defeated, Russia and Prussia can expand and connect their land. If Austria is defeated, Prussia has the ability to Control Germany. If France is defeated, Spain, Britain, and we, Portugal, are able to expand our influence abroad with no Challenge from our rival.

I am suggesting an Alliance that will last until those three Countries are defeated and then we can decide whether or not we want to continue you it.

There are many advantages to an Alliance of ours but the question is, who will take the offer?

xQueen Maria Braganza of Portugal

I sincerely hope the nation of Portugal will not attempt to create a coalition such as this again, as Europe has no advantages in being flung into another World War, and the Polish-Lithuanian Republic has no wish to be an aggressor to anyone.

X President Tadeusz Kosciuszko of the Polish-Lithuanian Republic

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The Polish-Lithuanian Republic
1782

Diplomacy:

The President has been shocked to learn of the plot of the Portugese Queen to potentially start off a new world war within Europe, and is particularly insulted that the Queen would think that the Republic had any wish of violence due to a difference of governance between other nations and the Republic.  The Republic reiterates that it has no wish to start a war with anyone, and wishes to rebuild itself after the turmoil of the past few decades. However, the Republic does wish to make it clear that if provoked it will defend itself and it's people from conquest.

In regards to Prussia, the President joins the Prussian people in mourning the loss of Frederick II, and humbly requests that he be allowed to attend the Funeral of the King so he may pay his respects to him in person.

In addition, the President wishes to announce that the Republic will be sending diplomat Franciszek Bukaty to Vienna to attend the congress on slavery, and will convey the Republic's complete abhorrence for the institution of slavery and lobby for a swift end to the international slave trade.

Constitutional Reform:

President Tadeusz Kosciuszko, after some reflection and consulting with advisors, decided to reform the constitution to better serve the people of the Republic, as well as guarantee them of their natural rights.  The reforms to the constitution shall be listed below.

I:  The election of a President shall occur once every 10 years instead of 5, and there shall be no term limits for the President.  As such, next presidential election will occur in the year 1792.

II:  The election of representatives to the National Assembly shall occur every 5 years instead of 3. As such, the next assembly election will occur in the year 1787.

III:  All male citizens of the Republic, aged 18 and above shall be allowed to vote in presidential and assembly elections.

IV:  The power of appointment of judges shall remain in the office of the President, but the National Assembly must vote to confirm each judge, with a simple majority being required.  In addition, only a 3/5ths vote shall be required to recall any judge, rather than a 2/3rds majority.

V:  A bill of rights shall be established, guaranteeing the following rights for all citizens of the Republic.
   
1:  The rights of freedom of speech, the press, assembly, protest, and religion.
   
2:  The right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury for all accused of a crime.
   
3:  Protection from unreasonable search and seizure unless a warrant is issued by a Judge finding
    probable cause for such.

With these rights and reforms established, it is the belief of the President that the Republic will now truly give it's people the voice they deserve in their own government, as well as protect their natural rights.

Domestic Affairs:

In addition to the reform of the Constitution, the President wished to begin the reconstruction of the Republic's economy, as well as to be prepared for it's defense.  As such, he proposed the following reforms.

1:  The tax system of the Republic shall be reformed in order to make sure taxes are properly collected and any corruption shall be rooted out as soon as possible. The landed and wealthy will have new taxes levied upon them in order to create a fairer tax system, while merchants and business owners will have their taxes cut in order to promote the hiring of new workers.

2:  The Republic shall spend 75% of all new funds on the creation of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in order to help modernize the Republic and give employment to those Citizens who need it.

3:  In time of war, all able bodied men between the ages of 18 and 25 shall be conscripted into the army in order to protect the Republic.

4:  The Republic shall spend the remaining 25% of all new funds on the expansion of our navy, specifically on the construction of 10 Ships of the Line and 5 Frigates, as well as the expansion of our trade fleet.

The Church:

The President, himself a Catholic, recognizes that the Church still has a place in the Republic, as such, he makes the following decrees on the Catholic Church in the Republic.

1:  All Church lands within the Republic will be untaxed, so as to allow the Church to continue educating our citizens in the way of god and giving charity to those who need it.

2:  Catholicism shall remain the official religion of the realm, and is urged by the President to help with aiding local governments in daily affairs in any way it can.

With this, the President hopes that the church will recognize it has a friend in Warsaw, and continue enlightening the people of the Republic for the coming years.

Conclusion

With these reforms implemented, and the Republic's wishes for peace in Europe stated, this is all the announcements the Republic has to make. May god bless the Polish-Lithuanian Republic, and the continent of Europe.

X President Tadeusz Kosciuszko of the Polish-Lithuanian Republic

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President Lisboa wishes to thank the Polish-Lithuanian Republic, The Holy Peoples' Republic, The Kingdom of Quebec, and the Ottoman Empire for their recognition of our Republic, and will open Embassies for them and all nations who wish to have diplomatic relations with our Republic.  In addition, the President sees no reason not to attend the proposed meeting of Catholic leaders in Poland, as we are all brothers in faith, and must mend our divisions lest our nations be torn asunder.

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Address from the Republic of Brazil

As President of the National Convention and the newborn Republic of Brazil, it has been my privilege to lead the formation of the constitution that shall guide our Republic and it's new government in the coming years.  As such, I wish to print below a summary of our constitution, and the rights guaranteed within it for Citizens of the Republic.

Government of the Republic of Brazil

I: Presidency:  There shall be a President of the Republic, who will act as Commander in Chief of the Military and Head of State.  The President shall have full command over the Military of the Republic, and negotiation and signature of treaties with foreign powers, as well as declarations of war. 

II: Legislature:  There shall be a Council of Ministers, 300 in total, acting as a legislature.  This Council shall have full power to pass legislation regarding taxation, spending, criminal law, and other matters.  Legislation passed by the Council is subject to review by the President, who shall either sign legislation passed by the Council into law, or veto legislation should they disapprove of it.  Legislation vetoed by the President may be passed over their veto should 2/3rds of the Council vote in favor of the legislation. 

III:  Courts:  There shall be a system of national courts that shall oversee cases involving violations of national law, as well as appeals on decisions from lower courts.  Judges to the national courts shall be appointed by the President and approved by a majority vote in the Council of Ministers.  After appointment and approval, judges on the national courts shall serve a single term lasting 25 years. 

IV:  Elections: A:  i:  Elections for the Office of President shall occur every 6 years, with there being no limit on terms which one may seek for the Office.  A candidate for the Presidency must receive a plurality of votes in order to be elected.

ii:  Qualifications to be eligible to seek election to the office of president are as follows:  One must have been a citizen and resident of the Republic of Brazil for at least 6 years.  One must be of at least 28 years of age.

B:  i:  Elections for all 300 seats in the Council of Ministers shall occur every 3 years, with their being no limit on terms which one may seek for the Office.  Individual Members of the Council shall be elected by a first past the post system in one of 300 constituencies.  Each constituency shall be required to have equal or near equal population.

ii:  Qualifications to be eligible to seek election to the office of minister are as follows:  One must be a citizen and resident of the Republic of Brazil.  One must be of at least 22 years of age.

C:  All Male Citizens of the Republic at least 18 years of age shall be eligible to vote in elections for President and the Council of Ministers.


Rights of Citizens of the Republic of Brazil

I:  The rights of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Association shall not be infringed.

II:  The right to ownership of property, including ownership of slaves, shall not be infringed.

III:   All those accused of a crime have a right to a fair and speedy public trial by an impartial jury.

IV:   The Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended under any circumstances.

V:  No person may be subject to unreasonable search and seizure unless a warrant is issued by a Judge finding probable cause for such action.

VI:  No cruel or unusual punishments, excessive bail or fines, or reduction to a state of involuntary servitude shall be used as sentencing for a crime against any person.

Religion of the Republic:  The Official Religion of the Republic of Brazil shall be Catholicism.

Concluding Statement:  With this new constitution, this Republic guarantees the rights of it's Citizens while protecting it's economy, and establishes a government by which the people may rule themselves, and not be subject to the bipolar madness of Monarchs such as the Mad Queen Maria again.  In regards to elections, elections to the Council of Ministers and the Presidency shall be scheduled to occur as soon as possible, preferably before the Fall of this year.  I myself shall run for election to the Office of Presidency, in the interests of maintaining a consistent Leadership committed to the values of this fragile new Nation. 

May God bless the Republic of Brazil with prosperity and strong leadership in the coming years.

X Provisional President of the Republic of Brazil, José da Silva Lisboa


(OOC:  I didn't know of any other Brazilian flags besides the imperial one so I went with this one.)

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Statement from Brazil on Hostilities with Holland

President Lisboa wishes to state that, despite the Dutch attack upon the Republic after saving the people of Guyana and allowing them the protection and rights Brazil provides, we do still wish for peace.  As such, we wish to request third party mediation between our two nations in the interests of seeking a negotiated end to hostilities.  May god Bless the Republic of Brazil and the Kingdom of the Netherlands with peace, lest more men perish in an unnecessary war.

José da Silva Lisboa, President of the Republic of Brazil