Emperor Norton
Self-declared Emperor of the United States
Sayings by Emperor Norton
We do hereby declare that all foreign powers shall respect the sovereignty of our Imperial realm.
Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word 'Frisco,' which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor.
We abolish the Republican and Democratic parties.
I, Norton I, Emperor of the United States, order the construction of a suspension bridge from Oakland to San Francisco.
We order the arrest of the Governor of Virginia for treason against the United States.
We dissolve the United States Congress due to gross incompetence.
At the peremptory request of a large majority of the citizens of these United States, I, Joshua Norton, formerly of Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope, and now for the past 9 years and 10 months of San Francisco, California, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these United States.
And I do hereby order and direct the representatives of the different States of the Union to assemble in Convention at the Musical Hall, of this city, on the first day of February next, then and there to make such alterations in the existing laws of the Union as may ameliorate the evils under which the country is laboring.
Having assumed the Imperial Crown of these United States, I do hereby order and direct the disbandment of Congress.
It is hereby ordered that all persons of every description, who may be engaged in the practice of using the abominable word 'Frisco', which has no linguistic or other right to exist, in place of the beautiful and euphonious name 'San Francisco' - be it known that any one caught using the word 'Frisco' will be fined $25 (twenty-five dollars), which will be placed in the Imperial Treasury.
It is hereby ordered that a bridge be built from Oakland to San Francisco.
It is hereby ordered that the Legislature of the State of California be and is hereby abolished.
It is hereby ordered that the city of San Francisco be and is hereby declared a free city.
I, Norton I, Dei Gratia, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, do hereby command all the citizens of the United States to cease from all civil strife and discord.
We, Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, do hereby decree that a new constitution be formed, one that is more just and equitable for all citizens.
I, Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, do hereby command all the citizens of the United States to lay down their arms and return to their homes.
It is hereby ordered that a tunnel be built under the Bay, connecting San Francisco to Oakland.
It is hereby ordered that all dogs in San Francisco be licensed and wear a collar with their owner's name.
It is hereby ordered that the city of San Francisco provide free public education for all children.
It is hereby ordered that all public transportation in San Francisco be free of charge.