We, Friedrich Wilhelm [III], by the grace of God, King of
Prussia, etc., have resolved to grant the adherents of the
Jewish faith in Our monarchy a new constitution suitable
to the general welfare, and declare all laws and regulations
concerning Jews [issued] hitherto, which are not confirmed
by the present Edict as abolished, and decree as follows:
1. Jews . . . domiciled at present in Our state . . . are
to be considered as natives and as Prussian state citizens.
2. The continuance of this qualification as natives and
state citizens conferred upon them shall however be permitted
only under the following obligation: that they bear strictly
fixed family
names, and that they use German
or another living language not only in keeping their commercial
books but also upon drawing their contracts and declaratory
acts, and that they should use no other than German or Latin
characters for their signatures . . .
8. They
may therefore administer academic school teaching and municipal
offices for which they qualified themselves . . .
11. They may acquire real estate of any kind same as the
Christian inhabitants, and they
may carry on any permitted trade.
14. Native Jews must not be burdened with special taxes.
15. Native Jews may contract marriages among themselves
without a special permit . . .
