GENERAL HISTORY. [\3S 



over which the Prince Chancellor 

 of State presided. On this occa- 

 sion the Prhice deliveied a long 

 speech, in which he described the 

 manner in which the basis of the 

 constitutional labours should com- 

 mence. He laid down the pro- 

 position, that the constitution 

 ought to unfold itself as it were 

 in a historical manner out of the 

 state of society ; that therefore a 

 correct knowledge of existing in- 

 stitutions was necessary; and 

 that what was now in existence 

 ought first to be taken into con- 

 sideration. He accordingly pro- 

 posed that commisioners should 

 be sent into the different pro- 

 vinces, in order to obtain informa- 

 tion on the spot respecting the 

 ancient constitutions ; and also to 



converse with and collect the opi- 

 nions of men of learning in the 

 provinces on the subject. Thes« 

 commissioners are to be choseil 

 from the body of the Constitu- 

 tional Committee, and to rcceivd 

 orders to complete their inciuiry 

 by the next meeting of the Coun- 

 cil of State, which is to take plac^ 

 in Autumn, in order that their 

 labours may in that meeting be 

 made the subject of deliberation: 

 This proposal was generally ap' 

 proved ; and the minister of state. 

 Von Altenstein, Von Boymp, ai^^l 

 Von Klewitz, are nominated td 

 this commission, and have set out 

 for the provinces. Thus (says th4 

 paper) one step more is taken to^ 

 wards the forming of a constltu* 

 ^ipn for Prussia. 



CUAP^ 



