Immediately after the vote of the Great Assembly, the.Prince issued
a proclamation, in which he warmly thanked the people for their confidence, declared that he would only use his excep- tional powers to remove obstacles to the organisation of the country, and pledged himself to maintain the rights of the people as the basis of public law. He will convoke the repre- sentatives of the people every year in order to discuss any :vital matters, and more especially taxation, receipts, and expenditure : —" Energy and perseverance will be the distinctive character- istics of the Government, and one of its chief duties will be give serious and systematic attention to the national organi- sation, in conformity with the principles alre,ady enunciated. The first care of the Government will consequently be to under- take the reforms in the service of the State most required.by the needs of the country. This will be effected by a strict.and conscientious choice of public servants, and the Civil Service will be placed on a firm, legal, and regular basis, thus putting- an end to the continual changing of functionaries, so prejudicial to the general conduct of public business. In appointments to- the higher branches of the Administration more especially, my efforts will be directed to securing a choice based upon character- and capacity, without regard to the arbitrary divisions Which for the last two years have been the misfortune of the country.' The manifesto concluded with some compliments to the Emperor and the people of Russia.
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