Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.16.1

25.16.1

The Members of his Council are Omrahs, or great Lords of that land; but the Council of the nation is composed of a number of persons, which the principal inhabitants of every city and town of that land have chosen amongst themselves, some one, and some two, and whose attachment and knowledge they have approved. So that those chosen men are entrusted with the concerns of the whole, and become the Advocates and Attorneys of those by whom they are sent. All these assemble in the Capital, where they immediately turn their attention towards the public accounts; and then occasionally examine whatever business happens to offer, or whatever is proposed by the Sovereign, and his Council, as objects likely in their opinion to become beneficial to themselves, to the senders, and to the people in general. They weigh and examine it carefully amongst themselves ; and when it has been approved by them, it is from that moment willingly admitted and obeyed, as law, by all the inhabitants of the land ; and in such a manner, that whatever those Attorneys have approved of as beneficial, and intimated accordingly to the senders, is immediately put in execution by them with all their might, and all their heart ; nor is there an instance of their having ever covered themselves with any excuse or pretence whatever. An admirable institution this, extremely useful and beneficial ; and an excellent rule which these people have contrived for themselves ! It is so capable, so productive of order !