Jul. 15, 1811

Decree, issued by Frederick I, Duke of Württemberg [Present-day Germany]: “Several district government and assessor’s offices have noted that, since the decree of October 30, 1897 allowed the Jews to purchase land for their own use, they have sought to acquire it, but not with the intention of, as expressed in the decree, building on it themselves or having someone do it for them, but merely in order to resell it, as an item of trade. In response to the question, submitted most subserviently to His Royal Majesty – whether said decree may be interpreted in such an extensive manner? – the same has decreed that His Majesty’s intention regarding the admissible purchases of land by Jews, as royal subjects, has never been anything but: ‘that the Jews build on these lands themselves, or for themselves through others,’ but not to purchase them as investment items, so that they may make a business out of reselling them, to the detriment of the King’s subjects. This Most Supreme resolution shall be made known to all pertinent royal authorities, so that they may focus their efforts on its enforcement.”