B. The Rivet Law.

Duvergier, J. B., et al. Collection complète des lois, decrets, ordonnances, reglements, avis du Conseil d’État. Second ed. of vols. 1–31 inclusive. First ed., 32— Paris 1834.

The National Assembly,

Considering that it has the right to use the constituent power, an essential attribute of the sovereignty with which it is invested, and that the imperative duties, which at the first it was bound to impose upon itself and which are still far from being completed, have alone prevented until now the use of this power;

Considering that, until the establishment of the definitive institutions of the country, it is essential for the needs of labor, the interests of commerce, and the development of industry, that our provisional institutions should take in the eyes of all, if not that stability which is the work of time, at least such that they may assure the harmony of feeling and the appeasement of parties;

Considering that a new title, a more precise appellation, without in any degree altering the basis of things, may have the effect of putting better in evidence the intention of the assembly to continue freely the loyal experiment begun at Bordeaux;

That the prolongation of the functions conferred upon the head of the executive power, limited henceforth to the duration of the labors of the assembly, may free these functions from what they may seem to have of instability and precariousness, without the sovereign rights of the assembly suffering the least injury, since in any case the final determination belongs to the assembly; and that an ensemble of new guarantees is about to assure the maintenance of these parliamentary privileges, at once the safeguard and the honor of the country;

Taking into consideration, moreover, the distinguished services rendered to the country by M. Thiers during the past six months and the guarantees which the continuance of the power that he holds from the assembly presents;

Decrees:

1. The head of the executive power shall take the title of President of the French Republic and shall continue to exercise, under the authority of the National Assembly, as long as it shall not have terminated its labors, the functions which were delegated to him by the decree of February 17, 1871.

2. The President of the Republic promulgates the laws as soon as they are transmitted to him by the president of the National Assembly.

He secures and supervises the execution of the laws.

He resides at the place where the National Assembly sits.

He is heard by the National Assembly whenever he believes it necessary and after he has informed the president of the National Assembly of his wish.

He appoints and dismisses the ministers. The council of ministers and the ministers are responsible to the assembly.

Each of the acts of the President of the Republic must be countersigned by a minister.

3. The President of the Republic is responsible to the assembly.