Meeting of the County Chancellors

I like it more. It is far closer to perfect.

My question becomes, now: are we writing a charter, or a letter of intent? It calls itself a letter of Intent, then it reads like a Charter ready for passage into law by the House of Parliament. And if we're going there, I just want to know in advance.

As a Charter, it is good, (Lady Seymour's comments excepted. I agree they need to be addressed.)
As a Letter, it is too long and detailed. I'd like to strike a lot of text, so that it is a readable letter.
… having said that, it's still a good document, and I could support it before my council, if those present here today think it's the better way to proceed.

Quote :

Letter of Intent regarding Diplomacy within the Kingdom of England

This document is a letter of intent for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported the national government of England and the counties of England, including Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.

In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be central assemblage for Diplomacy in England. All treaties such as Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defense Pacts, Alliances and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements.

The National Embassy shall consist of: The Embassy Board, Ambassadors, Interpreters, and Consuls

The Embassy Board shall consist of: one representative from the Crown, two each representatives from each county, and The Chamberlain.

The representative from the Crown, often called the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, is appointed by the monarch.

The Chamberlain, elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from amongst their number, and is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy.

The County Representatives, are appointed by the County Councils.

The Embassy Board must approve all treaties before they may be presented to the House of Lords for discussion, revision, and a vote.

We the undersigned agree to this Letter of Intent and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

King
Chancellor
Countess of Devon
Count of Mercia
Count of Sussex
Countess of Westmorland

Shorter. Less Details. A Letter like this, I think, shouldn't tell you how to make sausage, just say we intend to make sausage using a better method and describe ingredients, in broad brush-strokes. "We shall use wild boar for sausage" is good enough, but saying "24 hours before the hunt, we must sharpen each spear using a grindstone imported from the quarry 2 miles south of Bumshire-upon-the-Runs" is orders to the huntmaster, not something you'd write to your invitees. This is my opinion.

Save the full document, and present it to the House of Parliament to legitimize the Embassy. Give the Embassy equal footing with the NEA, the REN, the RHA, the HoP, the CoA, and the other branches of government. Realize that the King and the House of Lords and the Privy Council do not have Charters approved by Parliament - never have and likely never will. Make the Embassy a real national institute, instead of a transient, temporary, hobbled-together creature. This is my opinion.

Alternate plan is to have those duties and details codified within the Embassy itself as an informal ruleset. It doesn't need to be legitimized by law... the Ambassadors and representatives can just agree it's a good idea, and just do it. That's an option.

Now I feel obliged to explain why I felt this should be stricken:
The National Embassy shall pass no document that interferes with county trade or county laws.
In the days following that fateful letter from Zeathea, declaring Sussex will succeed (sic) England, the Knight of Pheonix and the National English Army started assembling, obviously for the purpose of removing a Council. So many were taken aback when Wiltshire Council stated that the blockade of Sussex was illegal, because it interfered with the trade of a County, which so many documents clearly said the National Government could not interfere with county trade. So a blockade between Winchester and Arundel was declared illegal, and no army would be allowed to form in Winchester to enforce that blockage… because it interfered with trade. Guess what the war in Carlisle did: interfered with trade. Guess what NNGO sinking the fleet in Holywell did: interfered with trade. Guess what a treaty with Bretagne would do once the King of France heard about it: interfere with trade. Guess what a treaty with France would do one Bretagne heard about it: interfere with trade. And so on, and so forth, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Take it a radical step forward, and wouldn't you say that Sussex trading with Artois interferes with Westmoreland trading with Artois? Interfering with trade is part of life. War. Brigands. Pirates. Storms. Geography. We can mitigate these things, but we cannot legislate them out of existence. With the caveat that LJS said any council can make any stupid law it wants, but it's the council's responsibility to enforce that law, not his responsibility. These are facts, coloured by my life's experience.

I would concur with Lord Plotnik's proposal.

I would amend this to read
In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be the central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties such as Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defense Pacts, Alliances and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements and Agreements between Counties of the Kingdom.

I am not sure of the significance of "assemblage" as opposed to "agency"

I do not think we would want the Embassy interfering in internal affairs, but in the event of a county declaring independence, it would then be outside the Kingdom, and relations would go through the Embassy.

In the interest of brevity, we could lose a comma here
The County Representatives, are appointed by the County Councils



I am relieved to learn that there is no serious proposal to secede. At a time when England is struggling to find a role, we hardly need one of its vital limbs hacking itself off.

Cait thought a moment after Father Deekay had finished. She was looking past the word of the letter and to the substance. There is Father, one thing that vexes me in what you just read. It is all of the versions, as well. She points out the portion that she is referring to.

Quote :

I would amend this to read
In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be the central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties such as Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defense Pacts, Alliances and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements and Agreements between Counties of the Kingdom.

I was just wondering about that. When you speak of Judicial Treaties, which laws are you agreeing to uphold? Which county will be the blessed one that will have it's law upheld internationally? As you know this country has no constitution nor do we have a set of national law books. And as for Mutual defense, may I inquire where the nation where gather troops, as there has never been a working national army? Or were you thinking of hiring mercenaries or call upon our over worked private militias? I'm not sure if you can answer my questions.

"A good question, my Lady.

I would suggest - as far as judicial treaties are concerned it has to be the law applying in the territory where the crime is committed. So - if I commit a crime in Lichfield, it is a crime against the laws of Mercia. Such a crime can be prosecuted in Devon. In the same way if the right treaty is in place it can be prosecuted in Catalunya or Albania. But if I enter Westmorland, I am subject to their laws. Something may be an offence in Holywell that is permitted in Lichfield. So when I return to Lichfield, or flee to Catalunya, I am prosecuted under Westmorland law.

As for military treaties - the challenge has always been one of raising arms. By far the easiest part of such a treaty to be implemented is allowing passage. Neither county nor country can guarantee to raise arms."

I agree with Father Reynards changes, without comment, save to answer his question.

I chose the word assemblage to indicate that Engand has four Embassies. England also has one place of assembly for those four to come together. In that assemblage or forum or meeting hall or chancellory, the four counties congeal themselves into a nation. It is there that the four parts combine to make one greater national diplomatic willpower. Conglomerate: the whole is stronger than the parts.

But whatever it's called, is no matter to me.

As to My Lady hostess, I offer one more story from the past, when she and I lived in the same county. It was brought before the council, a judicial treaty between the Country (*cough*) of Sussex, and another county. I read the laws of that county, and it raised a poignant question in my mind. I brought it to council. I pointed out that the other county considered High Treason against the Crown to be punishable by execution. I asked whether my fellow councilors were prepared to execute someone for treason against the king, knowing full well that nine of my fellows had done just that. Would you, to uphold your treaty, execute someone who did exactly what you did... in the name of the law... while you continue to govern the country and oversee the gallows? They immediately stopped debating, refused to answer the question, and passed the treaty without one further syllable of comment. Insult the king in one county, be killed in the next county; even though insulting the king was the preferred pasttime of that second county. Sad but true.

Who's laws are enforced where? Always worth thinking about before putting ink to paper.

Though within England, the Edict from the Crown demands that every county accept that Lord Mortimer signed, in their names, a Judicial treaty binding them to enforce and uphold the laws of every other English county. So for us four counties, we already have a judicial treaty. Such as it is.

So we are agreed with the changes of Father Deekay the rest is O.K.

we can wirte the final draft and we put our signatures and present to our councils

to present to the Meeting in the palace once all have accepted

Thoughts please

A messenger arrived from Kendal in Westmorland county. Handing the maid who answered the door a large scroll. She curtsied as she entered the room and handed Cait the scroll.

Please, my love, This message has been received from the Countess Snowlynx. If I may present it to the chancellors for review?

Quote :

The Charter Of The Royal Embassy

CHAPTER I: The Mandate Of The Royal Embassy

1. The Royal Embassy shall be responsible for promoting goodwill and cooperation between the Nation Of England and foreign nations or foreign counties as well as promoting goodwill and cooperation between the individual counties which compose the Nation Of England.

2. The Royal Embassy and His Most Excellent Majesty shall have exclusive authority over any measures proposed concerning foreign nations or foreign counties with the exception of Trade Agreements.

1. Any measures concerning foreign nations or foreign counties which were in affect before this charter was adopted shall remain in force however The Royal Embassy should strive to have these measures adopted nationally where possible in order to consolidate measures involving foreign nations or foreign counties under the Nation Of England.

2. Any future measures, with the exception of Trade Agreements, between the Nation Of England, including its individual counties, with foreign nations or foreign counties must be done through The Royal Embassy.


3. The Royal Embassy shall be responsible for propagating measures which promote uniformity amongst the Nation Of England in order to advocate closer bonds between the individual counties of the Nation Of England.

1. Any measures, regardless of time of inception, between counties of the Nation Of England shall remain in force at the discretion of the aforementioned counties of the Nation Of England.



CHAPTER II: The Composition Of The Royal Embassy

1. The Royal Embassy shall have one Chancellor from each County of England whom has voting rights.

2. The Royal Embassy shall have one Speaker Of The Royal Embassy whom does not have voting rights.

3. The Royal Embassy may have an unlimited amount of Ambassadors whom do not have voting rights.



CHAPTER III: The Selection Of Members Of The Royal Embassy

1. Each Chancellor shall be appointed by their respective County Council.

2. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall be elected by the House Of Parliament.

3. Ambassadors may be appointed by individual Chancellors or individual County Councils as they see fit.



CHAPTER IV: The Removal Of A Member Of The Royal Embassy

1. A Chancellor may only be removed by their respective County Council.

2. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy may be removed by the House Of Parliament or by the Chancellors of The Royal Embassy.

3. Ambassadors may be removed by the Chancellor which appointed them or by the County Council of the Chancellor which appointed them.



CHAPTER V: The Duties And Powers Of Each Position Of The Royal Embassy

1. The Chancellors Of The Royal Embassy:

1. Each Chancellor must vote in accordance with the will of their respective County Council.

2. Each Chancellor may appoint as many Ambassadors as they see fit.

3. Each Chancellor shall provide The Royal Embassy with copies of all current measures relating to other English counties or foreign entities their respective County is engaged in.


2. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy:

1. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall maintain an environment which facilitates the fulfillment of the mandate of The Royal Embassy.

2. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall maintain the roster of The Royal Embassy.

3. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall submit issues brought up by individual County Councils, the House Of Parliament or the House Of Lords to The Royal Embassy for consideration.

4. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall ensure that matters brought before The Royal Embassy are addressed in a timely manner.

5. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall issue weekly reports at Westminster in order to ensure that the populace as a whole is informed of the progress of The Royal Embassy.

6. The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall maintain a public archive at Westminster of all measures which have passed The Royal Embassy and have been confirmed by both the House Of Parliament and the House Of Lords to ensure that the populace as a whole is informed of the progress the Nation of England has made.


3. The Ambassadors Of The Royal Embassy:

1. Each Ambassador shall assist The Royal Embassy as directed by the Chancellor which appointed them or by the County Council of the Chancellor which appointed them.



CHAPTER VI: The Procedure For The Consideration Of Measures Of The Royal Embassy

1. Discussion:

1. A discussion may be started by any member of The Royal Embassy.

2. A discussion may remain open as long as The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy sees fit.


2. Calling For A Vote:

1. Individual Chancellors of The Royal Embassy or The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy may call for a vote on a measure at any time they see fit.


3. The Voting Process:

1. The poll will have two options of "Aye" and "Nay".

2. Each Chancellors of The Royal Embassy must declare their vote by posting "Aye" or "Nay".

3. The poll will remain open until all Chancellors of The Royal Embassy declare their vote.

4. Should a Chancellor fail to declare their vote within forty-eight hours after a vote has been called for The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy shall contact the County Council which appointed the aforementioned Chancellor to declare their vote on behalf of their Chancellor.


4. Interpreting The Voting Results:

1. The amending, passing or striking of any measure by The Royal Embassy requires unanimous support from all Chancellors of The Royal Embassy.


5. Conformation:

1. Any measure approved by The Royal Embassy must then be submitted to the House Of Parliament and the House Of Lords in order to be confirmed.


6. Release Of Information:

1. Any measure will be considered to be active twenty-four hours following the posting of said measure at Westminster by The Speaker Of The Royal Embassy in the public archives. Any activities which occur prior are not subject to aforementioned measure.

I have something I brought from the HoL that Barnaby has said, and it worries me to what he has alluded to as far as the running of the RE. I think we need to clean up this proposal and bring it to the meeting before anything is set in stone and leave the Embassies out in the cold.Which I fear is what is going to happen. Barnaby will do anything to get jennet what she wants, he has proven this already.

Quote :

"Finally, that brings us to the matter of the National Embassy" Barnaby smiles wryly, knowing that this is possibly one of the last things people want to hear him address. "First, let me state unequivocally that the Crown is adamantly against interfering in County trade and stated such clearly in the County Conference, contrary to what has been stated here and elsewhere. I have discussed with the Queen a possible solution to the impasse at which the Conference finds itself and believe it will be agreeable to the Counties without requiring an overhaul of multiple national charters to make it work. Hopefully, when it is presented in the next couple of days, all the Counties will choose to return to the table to discuss it so that things can move forward." He reaches for some notes he had from the Chancellor regarding recent developments in the Embassy "Princess Jennet's meeting with Galloway's Lord Protector, though cut short due to His Majesty's passing, was pleasant, and a new Council more agreeable to peace will be in power in but a few days. They have a copy of both a Diplomatic Relations treaty and the revised Friendship treaty with the non-aggression addendum proposed by Lord Norfolk that they will be discussing. The Embassy is soon to present two Diplomatic Relations treaties here for discussion and, hopefully, approval by this House. In addition, our conversations with France go well, with both parties expressing their desire to deal with each other as national entities for matters excluding trade."

Cait calls for a stack of parchment, ink and quills.

I suggest we get this on paper and presented. I have an inkling that no matter what is presented that the HLC and the RE Chancellor of Foreign Affairs will tear it apart. That is just my opinion, from experience.

Baldar having taken pen and quill offered by his darling wife quickly writes what has been said has a letter of intent, for the present to look at, and passsed it around

Quote :

Quote:
Procedure for Diplomatic Policy in England

This document is a letter of intent for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported the national government of England and the counties of England, including Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.

In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties such as Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defence Pacts, alliances and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements. The National Embassy shall pass no document that interferes with county trade or county laws.


The National Embassy shall consist of: The Embassy Board, Ambassadors, Interpreters, and Consuls

The Embassy Board shall consist of: one representative from the Crown, two each representatives from each county, and The Chamberlain.

The representative from the Crown, often called the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, is appointed by the monarch.

The Chamberlain, elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from amongst their number, and is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy.

The County Representatives, are appointed by the County Councils.

The Embassy Board, consists of the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, the Chamberlain of the Embassy, and two representatives from each of the Counties

color=red]The Embassy Board must approve all treaties before they may be presented [/color]to the House of Lords for discussion, revision, and a vote.

We the undersigned agree to this Letter of Intent and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

King
Chancellor
Countess of Devon
Count of Mercia
Count of Sussex
Countess of Westmorland

Baldar then presents the possible mandate as discussed in these rooms
for all to see and comment.

Quote :

Quote:
Procedure for Diplomatic Policy in England

This document is a letter of intent for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported the national government of England and the counties of England, including Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.

In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties such as Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defence Pacts, and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements, and Agreements between Counties of the Kingdom.

The Counties of England shall have the freedom to create trade treaties so long as they do not harm another county or the country.

The National Embassy shall consist of:


The Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, appointed by the monarch, is the Head of the National Embassy, chairing the Embassy Board, and representing the Embassy, and the monarch, if required, in public arenas.

The Embassy Board, consists of the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, the Chamberlain of the Embassy, and two representatives from each of the Counties

The Chamberlain, elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from one of the County Chancellors, and is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy

County Representatives, appointed by the County Councils, will be the Chancellor (in case of more than one chancellor per county they rotate and the Count(ess), oversee the four areas within the Embassy

Ambassadors, are appointed by the Board, and report to the appropriate County Chancellor

Interpreters, appointed by the Board, report to the Appropriate] County Chancellors

Special Envoys and other special posts, appointed as necessary by the Board, report to the Board


The National Embassy shall create and maintain a public archive of all treaties.

Each Chancellor will be selected and have the following assignments.

1. Internal Diplomat (Within the Royal Embassy)
- Liaison English County Diplomats
- Treaties
- Handles treaty negotiations with the appropriate Ambassador
- Works on standard treaty templates

2. External Diplomat - Western World (English, French and Spanish speaking Towns, Counties and Countries including Scandinavia)
- Handles the Foreign Diplomats
- Compiles reports from their Diplomats
- Creates a map of his areas of responsibility and a list of the ambassadors assigned to specific areas within the realm of his responsibility.

3. External Diplomat (Eastern World - German, Italian, Turkish, Greek and Slavic speaking cities, counties and countries)
- Handles the Foreign Diplomats
- Compiles reports from their Diplomats
- Creates a map of his areas of responsibility and a list of the ambassadors assigned to specific areas within the realm of his responsibility.

4. Administrative Diplomat (Chamberlain)
- Moderates the Embassy
- Hands out/revokes Keys
- Compiles the final reports
- Ensures that arriving Foreign Diplomats are greeted on a timely basis and not left forgotten. Announces Foreign Diplomatic arrivals to the Diplomat or Ambassador responsible for that area.

5. Ambassadors and Consuls

1) Ambassadors are long-term diplomats that shall engage their designated destination in discussions as directed by the policy of England to that area.
They shall not only seek treaties, if that is the wish of England, but also create a discourse with their foreign counterpart(s) regarding those counties, duchies, countries relations with their bordering territories and report their findings back to their immediate supervisor so such information can be incorporated into the report.

2) Consuls are diplomats designated for specific one-time tasks to a foreign territory and report back to England. After which they may or may not be appointed as ambassadors to that specific region if regular ambassadors are not available.

3) Reports should be done on a timely basis ( I would suggest every 2 weeks unless some imperative news is garnered which maybe be of vital interest to England) designating the diplomats advance or lack thereof in accomplishing the goals set out for him/her by their supervisor.


The process for approving National Treaties shall follow the following guidelines:


1) A treaty is submitted to the National Embassy by a foreign territory or by the National Embassy to a foreign territory.

2) The treaty is translated,(by Embassy interpreters checked for accuracy, looked over for basic revisions, and made as correct and whole as possible.

3) The treaty is submitted to the Embassy Board for discussion, during which the County representatives may seek input from their County Councils.

4) Once the Board finds the treaty satisfactory, and approved it is submitted to the Royal Chancellor of foreign affairs to present to the House of Lords for discussion, revision, and a vote.


5) If approved by the House of Lords, the treaty is signed and copies are posted both to the foreign territory and to our repository of treaties.


We the undersigned agree to this procedure and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

King

Chancellor

Countess of Devon

Count of Mercia

Count of Sussex

Countess of Westmorland

Irish I do believe the Chamberlain should be part of the board. That is just my opinion. Cait went about scribing the document. Every few lines she would powder the ink and let it dry before going on..

Having read the documents, Patan nods agreement with Lady Irish and takes up her quill and parchment to make some small changes.

"I have tweaked a few things here and there to clarify with grammar - apologies again for any pickiness." she grins, knowing the trouble she has been in in the past for amending grammar, and passes the letter of intent around for reading.

Quote :

Procedure for Diplomatic Policy in England

This document is a letter of intent for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported by the national government of England and the counties of England, to whit Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.


In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be the central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties including, but not restricted to, Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defence Pacts, alliances and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements. The National Embassy shall pass no document that interferes with county trade or county laws.

The National Embassy shall consist of: The Embassy Board, Ambassadors, Interpreters, and Consuls.

The Embassy Board shall consist of: one representative from the Crown; two each representatives from each county; and the Chamberlain.

The representative from the Crown, often called the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, is appointed by the monarch.

The Chamberlain is elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from amongst the County Chancellors, and is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy.

The County Representatives are appointed by the County Councils.

The Embassy Board consists of the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, the Chamberlain of the Embassy, and two representatives from each of the Counties.

The Embassy Board must approve all treaties before they may be presented to the House of Lords for discussion, any revision, and a vote.


We the undersigned agree to this Letter of Intent and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

Monarch
Chancellor of Foreign Affairs
Countess of Devon
Count of Mercia
Count of Sussex
Countess of Westmorland

Next, Patan makes a few changes to the procedures document and hands that around too. I have included a sentence to allow for the Chamberlain to be elected from other than the county chancellors - only in exceptional circumstances - but I felt it might be useful to have it in the procedures from the start. With only four counties, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that there might not be a chancellor available for this post. But if we feel this is unnecessary, it can of course be deleted."

Quote :

Procedure for Diplomatic Policy in England

This document is a letter of intent for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported by the national government of England and the counties of England, to whit Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.

In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be the central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties including, but not restricted to Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defence Pacts, and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements and Agreements between Counties of the Kingdom.

The Counties of England shall have the freedom to create trade treaties so long as they do not harm another county or the country.

The National Embassy shall consist of:

The Embassy Board, consisting of the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, the Chamberlain of the Embassy, and two representatives from each of the Counties.

- The Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, appointed by the monarch, is the Head of the National Embassy, chairing the Embassy Board, and representing the Embassy, and the monarch if required, in public arenas.

- The Chamberlain, elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from one of the County Chancellors, is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy. In the exceptional event that none of the County Chancellors is able to take on the responsibility, the Board and ambassadorial staff may elect an alternative qualified person to become Chamberlain.

- County Representatives, appointed by the County Councils, will be the Chancellor (in case of more than one chancellor per county they rotate) and the Count(ess) or Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellors oversee four areas within the Embassy.

Ambassadors, who are appointed by the Board, and report to the appropriate County Chancellor.

Interpreters, appointed by the Board, who report to the Appropriate County Chancellors.

Special Envoys and other special posts, appointed as necessary by the Board, who report to the Board.


The National Embassy shall create and maintain a public archive of all treaties.

Each County Chancellor will be selected and have one of the following assignments:

1. Internal Diplomat (Within the Royal Embassy)
- Liaison with English County Diplomats
- Treaties
- Handles treaty negotiations with the appropriate Ambassador
- Works on standard treaty templates

2. External Diplomat - Western World (English, French and Spanish speaking Towns, Counties and Countries including Scandinavia)
- Handles the Foreign Diplomats for their areas
- Compiles reports from their Diplomats
- Creates a map of their area of responsibility and a list of the ambassadors assigned to specific areas within the realm of their responsibility.

3. External Diplomat (Eastern World - German, Italian, Turkish, Greek and Slavic speaking cities, counties and countries)
- Handles the Foreign Diplomats for their areas
- Compiles reports from their Diplomats
- Creates a map of their areas of responsibility and a list of the ambassadors assigned to specific areas within the realm of their responsibility.

4. Administrative Diplomat (Chamberlain)
- Moderates the Embassy
- Hands out/revokes Keys
- Compiles the final reports
- Ensures that arriving Foreign Diplomats are greeted on a timely basis and not left forgotten. Announces Foreign Diplomatic arrivals to the Diplomat or Ambassador responsible for that area.

5. Ambassadors and Consuls

1) Ambassadors are long-term diplomats that shall engage their designated destination in discussions as directed by the policy of England to that area.
They shall not only seek treaties, if that is the wish of England, but also create a discourse with their foreign counterpart(s) regarding those counties, duchies, countries relations with their bordering territories and report their findings back to their immediate supervisor so such information can be incorporated into the report.

2) Consuls are diplomats designated for specific one-time tasks to a foreign territory and report back to England. After which they may or may not be appointed as ambassadors to that specific region if regular ambassadors are not available.

3) Reports should be done on a timely basis (probably every 2 weeks unless some imperative news is garnered which maybe be of vital interest to England) designating the diplomats advance or lack thereof in accomplishing the goals set out for him/her by their supervisor.


The process for approving National Treaties shall follow the following guidelines:

1) A treaty is submitted to the National Embassy by a foreign territory or by the National Embassy to a foreign territory.

2) The treaty is translated (by Embassy interpreters), checked for accuracy, looked over for basic revisions, and made as correct and whole as possible.

3) The treaty is submitted to the Embassy Board for discussion, during which the County representatives may seek input from their County Councils.

4) Once the Board finds the treaty satisfactory and approved, it is submitted to the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs to present to the House of Lords for discussion, any revision, and a vote.

5) If approved by the House of Lords, the treaty is signed and copies are posted both to the foreign territory and to the National Embassy's repository of treaties.


We the undersigned agree to this procedure and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

Monarch

Chancellor of Foreign Affairs

Countess of Devon

Count of Mercia

Count of Sussex

Countess of Westmorland

Happy with the changes and the two documents,
Thank you Ladies. It is time to maybe we put to vote and if all chancellors agree we present to our councils, to discuss and our leaders present in the meeting in RE, if they agree.

not sure if we should post also in HoL or after it has been discussed in RE.

Irish,

if the rest of us are in accordance then lets post it in our council chambers and HoL, Who would like to do th honors in HoL???

I would like Lord Deekay's, Lord Plotniks, Lady patan, and Opehelia's thoughts first, I will give this a two day response time and if I hear nothing them I assume we are happy with this and we post it.

I think that once we have all agreed the documents here, we should take them to our Councils for approval. Then, once all the Councils have agreed them, we can have the Count/esses take them to the Embassy as a fait accompli. At the same time we could take them to the HoL and Privy Council.

Sorry for coming back with another change, but it occurs to me that the board now consists of an even number of people (assuming all are in attendance). This means that there could be a tied vote, so I suggest that we include a casting vote by the chair of the board (which is a standard procedure, of course). We also noticed that the embassy board and who it consists of was mentioned twice, so I have slightly amended both documents to reflect these two changes:

Letter of intent wrote:

This document is a letter of intent for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported by the national government of England and the counties of England, to whit Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.


In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be the central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties including, but not restricted to, Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defence Pacts, alliances and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements. The National Embassy shall pass no document that interferes with county trade or county laws.

The National Embassy shall consist of: The Embassy Board, Ambassadors, Interpreters, and Consuls.

The Embassy Board shall consist of: one representative from the Crown; two each representatives from each county; and the Chamberlain.

The representative from the Crown, often called the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, is appointed by the monarch.

The Chamberlain is elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from amongst the County Chancellors, and is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy.

The County Representatives are appointed by the County Councils.

The Embassy Board must approve all treaties before they may be presented to the House of Lords for discussion, any revision, and a vote.


We the undersigned agree to this Letter of Intent and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

Monarch
Chancellor of Foreign Affairs
Countess of Devon
Count of Mercia
Count of Sussex
Countess of Westmorland

Procedure wrote:

This document is a procedure for changes within the National Embassy. It is supported by the national government of England and the counties of England, to whit Devon, Mercia, Sussex, and Westmorland.

In order to present a unified national front, reduce redundancy, and make relations clearer for foreign territories, the National Embassy shall be the central agency for Diplomacy in England. All treaties including, but not restricted to Diplomatic Relations, Friendship Treaties, Non-aggression Pacts, Judicial Treaties, Mutual Defence Pacts, and specialty documents such as Peace Treaties shall fall under the authority of the National Embassy, with the exception of Trade Agreements and Agreements between Counties of the Kingdom.

The Counties of England shall have the freedom to create trade treaties so long as they do not harm another county or the country.

The National Embassy shall consist of:

The Embassy Board, consisting of the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, the Chamberlain of the Embassy, and two representatives from each of the Counties.

- The Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, appointed by the monarch, is the Head of the National Embassy. Duties include chairing the Embassy Board, with a casting vote if there is a tie, and representing the Embassy, and the monarch if required, in public arenas.

- The Chamberlain, elected by the Board and ambassadorial staff from one of the County Chancellors, is responsible for the daily operations of the National Embassy. In the exceptional event that none of the County Chancellors is able to take on the responsibility, the Board and ambassadorial staff may elect an alternative qualified person to become Chamberlain.

- County Representatives, appointed by the County Councils, will be the Chancellor (in case of more than one chancellor per county they rotate) and the Count(ess) or Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellors oversee four areas within the Embassy.

Ambassadors, who are appointed by the Board, and report to the appropriate County Chancellor.

Interpreters, appointed by the Board, who report to the Appropriate County Chancellors.

Special Envoys and other special posts, appointed as necessary by the Board, who report to the Board.


The National Embassy shall create and maintain a public archive of all treaties.

Each County Chancellor will be selected and have one of the following assignments:

1. Internal Diplomat (Within the Royal Embassy)
- Liaison with English County Diplomats
- Treaties
- Handles treaty negotiations with the appropriate Ambassador
- Works on standard treaty templates

2. External Diplomat - Western World (English, French and Spanish speaking Towns, Counties and Countries including Scandinavia)
- Handles the Foreign Diplomats for their areas
- Compiles reports from their Diplomats
- Creates a map of their area of responsibility and a list of the ambassadors assigned to specific areas within the realm of their responsibility.

3. External Diplomat (Eastern World - German, Italian, Turkish, Greek and Slavic speaking cities, counties and countries)
- Handles the Foreign Diplomats for their areas
- Compiles reports from their Diplomats
- Creates a map of their areas of responsibility and a list of the ambassadors assigned to specific areas within the realm of their responsibility.

4. Administrative Diplomat (Chamberlain)
- Moderates the Embassy
- Hands out/revokes Keys
- Compiles the final reports
- Ensures that arriving Foreign Diplomats are greeted on a timely basis and not left forgotten. Announces Foreign Diplomatic arrivals to the Diplomat or Ambassador responsible for that area.

5. Ambassadors and Consuls

1) Ambassadors are long-term diplomats that shall engage their designated destination in discussions as directed by the policy of England to that area.
They shall not only seek treaties, if that is the wish of England, but also create a discourse with their foreign counterpart(s) regarding those counties, duchies, countries relations with their bordering territories and report their findings back to their immediate supervisor so such information can be incorporated into the report.

2) Consuls are diplomats designated for specific one-time tasks to a foreign territory and report back to England. After which they may or may not be appointed as ambassadors to that specific region if regular ambassadors are not available.

3) Reports should be done on a timely basis (probably every 2 weeks unless some imperative news is garnered which maybe be of vital interest to England) designating the diplomats advance or lack thereof in accomplishing the goals set out for him/her by their supervisor.


The process for approving National Treaties shall follow the following guidelines:

1) A treaty is submitted to the National Embassy by a foreign territory or by the National Embassy to a foreign territory.

2) The treaty is translated (by Embassy interpreters), checked for accuracy, looked over for basic revisions, and made as correct and whole as possible.

3) The treaty is submitted to the Embassy Board for discussion, during which the County representatives may seek input from their County Councils.

4) Once the Board finds the treaty satisfactory and approved, it is submitted to the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs to present to the House of Lords for discussion, any revision, and a vote.

5) If approved by the House of Lords, the treaty is signed and copies are posted both to the foreign territory and to the National Embassy's repository of treaties.


We the undersigned agree to this procedure and, on behalf of those who we represent, pledge to work towards the necessary changes to enact it.

Monarch

Chancellor of Foreign Affairs

Countess of Devon

Count of Mercia

Count of Sussex

Countess of Westmorland

Mark the Chancellor of Sussex as an "Aye" on both the letter of intent and the longer document, as just presented by Patan. Count Faheud, in my last talk with him, sounded resigned to defer judgment unto the next officeholder. Sadly, that means I continue to operate without guidance or oversight.

Although, I disagree with, and wish it changed, this statement

- County Representatives, appointed by the County Councils, will be the Chancellor (in case of more than one chancellor per county they rotate) and the Count(ess) or Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellors oversee four areas within the Embassy.

Five Counts of Sussex, former and current, all concur that asking one more task of a Count is counterproductive. Counts are too busy and will surely be less useful than an other representative, appointed by the Council, who could devote far more time and attention.

In short, let the County decide who to send. If they wish to send the Count, let them decide that. Give them two chairs, to fill as they please.

Rather, I would prefer this statement, or anything meeting the same intent,

- County Representatives, appointed by the County Councils. Typically they may be the Chancellor and Count, though can be anyone.

While I feel strongly on this, and I stress five Counts agree (Ophelia, Jasmine., Penelope, Faheud, and myself), this is not a show stopper. I still support the plan as-is, I merely wish it to be made stronger.

Thank you, Lord Plotnik. I agree, and that was actually the reason that I added in the potential for the Vice-Chancellor to hold a place instead of the Count/ess - you will note that is says "Count/ess or Vice-Chancellor". I felt that this provides for such an eventuality, although I agree that it does not then say it could be anybody - but perhaps the Board might consider that in due course, if the situation arises.

The documents could potentially both be slightly amended by us - indeed, we could sit here for ever and still keep changing them! I guess also that each of our councils may also wish to tweak them - but anyway, my vote is also Aye for the current documents. I'd like to get them to our councils for discussion and voting, so that we can get things moving.