4. In cases where the king found it necessary to ask the advice of others, his Majesty would either take the opinion of the colleges, or appoint a commission for the purpose, but everything, as far as possible, was to be done by the ordinary departments. 5. The colleges would try, so far as the nature of the matter allowed, to discuss and report affairs in a similar form. 6. As the king did not wish to interfere in the details of carrying out affairs, but expected this to be done by the colleges, the latter were invited to follow the same style in business, to urge their subordinates to do the same, and to make the latter responsible. 7. Everything would be decided upon settled principles. 8. Finally, the business of the departments would be kept distinct, so that each would manage its own affairs for itself, and one department have no influence over the other, save through the king alone. Their number would also be reduced, so that there should be only one department for each branch of business. As regards the affairs, the king laid down the following general rules:-- 1.--_The Foreign Department._ (_a_) The king would seek no further influence at foreign courts than the position of his kingdoms and their commerce required. (_b_) He would save all the expense which the ostentation of numerous ministers at foreign courts entailed; and (_c_) Tolerate no influence over the internal affairs of his kingdoms or elsewhere. (_d_) He would adhere faithfully to the Russian alliance, but did not wish the latter court to found its security on accidental circumstances, but trust to the integrity of his conduct, of which the king had given the empress very evident proofs recently. (_e_) His Majesty would not expend more money on the Swedish affair than was stipulated by treaty, and not interfere in the private quarrels in that country. With regard to the last two points, the king himself read everything that could be urged for and against them, and afterwards decided himself, as his Majesty previously possessed no settled opinion or conviction. 2.--_The Finances._ (_a_) There was to be only one college, which would expedite all the business connected with the department. (_b_) Order and economy were the sole means of restoring the finances, to the exclusion of all projects which were not based on those principles. (_c_) All the royal resources would flow into the general treasury, and thence be distributed to the other departments, so that the king might more easily survey the state of his revenues. (_d_) Efforts would be made to simplify the collection of the taxes for the relief of the subjects. (_e_) The usual payments in kind would be converted into pecuniary payments, in order to encourage the industry of the countrymen, and remove the existing abuses. (_f_) The expenses of the state would be kept entirely distinct from the private outlay for the king and the royal family.