1822 Aug. 4

Bey of Tripoli Proclamation

Address. I.

Ruler! Thou takest upon thee to provide for the wants of thy people, and thou

knowest not what they are. Thou callest upon them to obey thy will, and they

know not what it is.

My Son! thou shalt call thy /the/ people around thee, and thus then wilt thou

know their wants. Thou shalt call around thee men chosen by the people and when

thou hast heard their counsel, thou shalt profit by it. Thou shalt cause thy

will to be written in a book, and wheresoever the book of my law is kept the

book of thy law shall be heard.

Thou shalt divide they dominion into districts and from each district thou shalt

call unto thee the man whom the people shall have chosen.

In each district thou shalt place a Judge. At his right hand shall lie the book

of my word: at his left hand shall lie the book of thy word, and of the words of

those concerning whom it is written in the Table of brass that in all succeeding

ages they shall come after thee The seat of the Judge shall be on high in the

presence of the people. Under him shall sit at all times, two men, three men, or

more, as occasion calls taken by lot among the fathers or sons of families, and

without whom he shall do nothing. On each occasion he shall pass such decision

as in his judgment shall be according to the law, and the facts that have come

before him: but whatsoever they shall see good to say shall in the first place

have been heard.