PROCLAIMS FROM THE SULTAN
On the past and future of the Empire
It was known by the entire world that from the beginning of our mighty Empire its laws and precepts and those of the glorious Quran were honored and followed, and it was so that the empire rose in strength and its subjects enjoyed untold prosperity for the longest time. However, it is so that through the last decades a succession of events, accidents and misfortune have caused a dangerous disregard for such laws and principles, weakening an Empire whose proper stability and prosperity is the single most urgent concern in our mind.
We deem it urgent to take active action to provide the Empire and our many subjects with the benefits of good administration, learning from the experiences of others while never yielding on the defense and preservation of what is proper and just, and blessed from the heavens. Full of confidence in the help of the Most High, confident of the support of our Prophet, we deem it right to start our work to further improve administration via the foundation of new and vigorous institutions.
On the creation of the Meclis-i Vükela,
or Council of Ministers
Therefore, we shall not further seclude ourselves from the labors and affairs of state, and shall regularly and actively attend our new Meclis-i Vükela in order to work for the prosperity and greatness of the Empire along with our old and new advisers alike. Alongside key members of our Court, Military and such other institutions, the Meclis-i Vükela shall be presided and directed by our Grand Vizier Hurşid Ahmed Pasha, hereby confirmed on his post. It shall include the new seven "Ministries" entrusted with various public responsibilities: Finance, Trade, Public Order, Justice, Foreign Affairs, War and the Kapudan Pasha.
We trust that by establishing this "Council" under the authority of our Grand Vizier and our active attendance the affairs of state will be dealt with with greater urgency, efficiency and skill, and that the Empire and its subjects will profit from it.
On the creation of the Hariciye Nezâreti,
and the expansion of diplomatic and trade efforts
It is our belief that the diplomatic efforts of the Ottoman Empire are in need of renewal and expansion, the Empire lacking active and long-term ambassadors in Europe beyond officials of smaller and irregular rank. Having been approached by one or two esteemed foreign rulers in Europe regarding their thoughts on the present continent-wide crisis and their proposals as to the hypothetical role the Empire would have to play in such conflicts, it seems clear to us that our diplomatic efforts must be expanded. It will be our intention to have the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presided by the respected and accomplished diplomat Mehmed Said Galip Pasha, gradually open permanent Embassies and dispatch permanent Ambassadors, giving a priority to nations pursuing a positive relationship with the Empire.
This we expect to combine with our belief in the merits of the expansion of trade at a time in which substantial disruptions from the different alliances and coalitions involved in the conflicts of the past decade warrant some resumption of normal trade in areas affected by it. Blessed both with access to the ports and markets of the Mediterranean, India and the East Alike, it will be the pleasure of the Ottoman Empire to grant trade concessions and tariff reductions to her friends and discuss arrangements with potential new partners.
Therefore
The above dispositions warranting necessary attention they shall be published at Istanbul and in all places of our empire, and officially communicated to ambassadors and representatives of foreign powers resident in Istanbul, that they may be witnesses to these institutions which should it please God shall last forever.
His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Mustafa III, Padishah, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful, etc. etc.
Signed,
His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Mahmud II,
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Padishah,
Caliph of Islam and other associated titles.
