Daniel Valkory

Daniel Valkory
Daniel Valkory in his study for a feature in The Aldurian after his retirement; 1743 AN.
Who's Who of Nouvelle Alexandrie
Full Name	Daniel Émile Valkory
Titles & Offices	Deputy for Alduria (1693 AN–1738 AN) Chair, Committee on Constitutional Affairs (1706 AN–1718 AN)
Birth Date	14.III.1665 AN
Birth Place	Punta Santiago, Alduria
Death Date	8.IX.1746 AN
Death Place	Punta Santiago, Alduria
Parents	Émile Valkory Marguerite Valkory (née Dumont)
Spouse	Isabelle Valkory (née Marchand) (m. 1690 AN)
Children	Daniel Valkory Jr. Catherine Valkory-Besson Philippe Valkory
Family	Valkory family
Education	Doctor of Laws Doctor of Political Science
Alma Mater	University of Punta Santiago
Occupation	Lawyer, political scientist, politician
Political Affiliation	Federal Humanist Party
Organizations	Federal Humanist Party University of Punta Santiago Federal Legal Association of Nouvelle Alexandrie
Known For	Author of the Cortes Federales Act, 1694 Author of the Boriquén Admission Act, 1718
Notable Works	The Federal Legislature: Principles and Practice (1712 AN) Constitutional Design in Multinational Federations (1728 AN)
Religion	Church of Alexandria
Languages	Alexandrian, Martino, Istvanistani
Awards & Honors	Tayta Masi, Order of the Golden Sun (1738 AN) Grand Officer, Order of the Federation (1735 AN) Commander, Order of the Sun and Eagle (1720 AN) Officer, Federal Order of Merit (1706 AN)
Residence	Punta Santiago, Alduria
National Origin	Alduria
Citizenship(s)	Nouvelle Alexandrie  Constancia

Daniel Émile Valkory, CSE (14.III.1665 AN – 8.IX.1746 AN) was a New Alexandrian lawyer, political scientist, and politician who served as a Federal Humanist Party Deputy for Alduria in the Federal Assembly from 1693 AN to 1738 AN. He is remembered as one of the principal architects of the Federation's parliamentary framework, having authored the Cortes Federales Act, 1694, the foundational statute governing the operations of the Cortes Federales.

Over the course of his 45-year career in the Federal Assembly, Valkory authored or co-authored more than a dozen major pieces of legislation. His legislative achievements included the Regency Act, 1699, the Northern Eura Territorial Organization Act, 1699, the Regional and Local Government Organization Act, 1699, the Boriquén Admission Act, 1718, and the Bank Run Prevention Act, 1718. He served as Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs from 1706 AN to 1718 AN and was widely regarded as the Federal Assembly's foremost expert on parliamentary procedure.

Valkory's service was recognized with appointment to the Order of the Golden Sun upon his retirement in 1738 AN, making him one of only 40 living members of the Federation's highest order of chivalry. He also held the rank of Grand Officer in the Order of the Federation and Commander in the Order of the Sun and Eagle.

Valkory retired from the Federal Assembly in 1738 AN following the end of the 9th Cortes Federales. He died in 1746 AN at his home in Punta Santiago. His son, Daniel Valkory Jr., was elected as an FHP Deputy for the Federal Capital District in the 1749 general election, marking the return of the Valkory name to the Cortes Federales after an eleven-year absence.

Early life and education

Daniel Valkory was born on 14.III.1665 AN in Punta Santiago, Alduria, to Émile Valkory, a solicitor, and Marguerite Valkory (née Dumont). His father maintained a modest legal practice serving merchants and tradespeople in the growing port city. The family was of Alexandrian descent, part of the diaspora that had settled in Eura following the collapse of Alexandria.

Valkory attended primary and secondary schools in Punta Santiago before enrolling at the University of Punta Santiago in 1682 AN, shortly after the university's founding. He studied law and political science under professors who had themselves trained in the old Alexandrian academic tradition. He completed his Doctor of Laws in 1687 AN and his Doctor of Political Science in 1689 AN, writing his doctoral dissertation on legislative organization in federal states.

Following his studies, Valkory practiced law briefly in Punta Santiago and taught courses in constitutional law at the University. In 1690 AN, he married Isabelle Marchand, the daughter of a Punta Santiago shipping merchant. The couple had three children: Daniel Jr. (born 1694 AN), Catherine (born 1697 AN), and Philippe (born 1700 AN).

Political career

Valkory joined the newly formed Federal Humanist Party in 1692 AN, attracted by its federalist principles and constitutional program. When the first federal elections were held in 1693 AN, he stood as an FHP candidate in Alduria and won a seat in the Federal Assembly of the 1st Cortes Federales.

As a junior deputy with academic credentials in constitutional law, Valkory was assigned to draft the procedural framework for the new legislature. The Proclamation of Punta Santiago had established the basic structure of the Cortes Federales, with a Federal Assembly and a Chamber of Peers, but it left the details of legislative procedure to be determined by statute. Working with a small committee of fellow deputies and drawing on his academic research, Valkory produced the draft that became the Cortes Federales Act, 1694.

The Act established the procedures for introducing, debating, and voting on legislation; defined the relationship between the two chambers; set rules for committees; and codified the process for government formation following elections. It received Royal Assent in 1694 AN and has remained in force, with amendments, ever since. The Act earned Valkory a reputation as a technical expert on parliamentary matters and established his position within the FHP caucus.

The 2nd and 3rd Cortes Federales (1698–1708)

Valkory was re-elected in the 1698 elections. During the 2nd Cortes Federales, he turned his attention to territorial organization and local government. In 1699 AN, he authored three related pieces of legislation: the Regency Act, 1699, which established procedures for royal succession and regency; the Northern Eura Territorial Organization Act, 1699, which provided the administrative framework for Alduria's Euran territories; and the Regional and Local Government Organization Act, 1699, which defined the relationship between federal, regional, and local governments throughout the Federation.

These acts, taken together, addressed gaps in the Proclamation of Punta Santiago regarding territorial administration and established precedents that shaped the Federation's expansion in subsequent decades. The Regional and Local Government Organization Act proved particularly influential, providing the template used when new regions joined the Federation.

Valkory was re-elected again in 1703 AN, though the FHP lost its majority to the SDLA in those elections. In opposition, Valkory focused on academic writing and committee work. He was appointed to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, where he served as the FHP's lead member.

Chair of Constitutional Affairs (1706–1718)

Following the FHP's return to government in the 1708 elections, Valkory was appointed Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, a position he held for twelve years. In this capacity, he oversaw the review of all legislation touching on constitutional matters and advised successive governments on questions of parliamentary procedure. Upon his appointment as Chair, Valkory was invested as an Officer of the Federal Order of Merit on the recommendation of the Federal Assembly.

The high point of this period came in 1718 AN with the admission of Boriquén to the Federation. The region had been acquired during Operation Purple Splendor, and its incorporation required careful legislative work to ensure consistency with the existing constitutional framework. Valkory drafted and shepherded the Boriquén Admission Act, 1718 through the Cortes Federales. The Act established Boriquén as the 11th Region, confirmed Hato Rey as its capital, and ratified the Plan de Hato Rey for the region's economic and social development.

In the same session, Valkory authored the Bank Run Prevention Act, 1718, responding to financial instability that had affected several regional banks. The Act established federal deposit guarantees and created mechanisms for the Federal Bank of Nouvelle Alexandrie to intervene in failing institutions.

In 1720 AN, King Sinchi Roca I invested Valkory as a Commander of the Order of the Sun and Eagle in recognition of his contributions to national unity through legislative work that had helped integrate the Federation's diverse regions. The investiture took place at the Palace of Carranza during the Order's annual ceremony on 12.IV.1720 AN.

Later career (1718–1738)

After stepping down as Chair of Constitutional Affairs in 1718 AN, Valkory remained an active member of the Federal Assembly. He continued to serve on the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and was frequently consulted by colleagues on procedural questions.

In 1733 AN, Valkory emerged as a leading voice calling for an independent inquiry into what became known as the Buccho scandal. Speaking on the floor of the Federal Assembly on 6.VI.1733 AN, Valkory argued that public confidence in government institutions required a transparent and comprehensive investigation. His intervention attracted press attention and contributed to the formation of a parliamentary inquiry into the scandal.

In 1735 AN, Valkory was elevated to Grand Officer in the Order of the Federation, the Federation's highest order of merit. The appointment, made on the advice of the Council of State, recognized his lifetime contributions to New Alexandrian law and parliamentary practice. As a Grand Officer, he received the customary single-time grant of NAX€65,500 from the Treasury.

Retirement and the Order of the Golden Sun

Valkory announced his retirement from the Federal Assembly in 1738 AN, at the conclusion of the 9th Cortes Federales. He was 73 years old and had served continuously since the Federation's first elections. In his farewell address, he reflected on the changes he had witnessed since 1693 AN, when the Cortes Federales first convened with deputies from only Alduria and the Wechua Nation. By 1738 AN, the Federation had grown to include twelve regions spanning two continents.

Upon his retirement, King Sinchi Roca II appointed Valkory to the Most Noble Order of the Golden Sun, Inti, the highest civil and military order of chivalry in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Appointment to the Order, which is limited to 40 living members besides the Royal Family, is reserved for persons who have rendered meaningful national contributions or outstanding public service. The investiture ceremony was held at the Royal Palace of Parap, the traditional seat of the Order since its founding by King Titu Cusi in 1659 AN. As a member, Valkory held the title of Tayta Masi (Knight Companion).

Following his retirement, Valkory returned to academic life. He accepted an honorary professorship at the University of Punta Santiago and continued to write on constitutional and parliamentary subjects.

Academic and literary work

Throughout his political career, Valkory maintained his scholarly interests. He published numerous articles in legal and political journals and was a regular contributor to parliamentary debates on constitutional questions.

His major works included:

• The Federal Legislature: Principles and Practice (1712 AN), a comprehensive treatise on the organization and procedures of the Cortes Federales;
• Constitutional Design in Multinational Federations (1728 AN), a comparative study of federal constitutional arrangements.

Both works were used as textbooks at the University of Punta Santiago and other New Alexandrian universities. The Federal Legislature went through three editions during Valkory's lifetime and remained a standard reference for parliamentary practitioners.

Personal life

Valkory married Isabelle Marchand in 1690 AN. The couple had three children. Their eldest son, Daniel Valkory Jr., followed his father into law and politics. Their daughter, Catherine, married a Punta Santiago businessman named Henri Besson. Their younger son, Philippe, became a physician.

Valkory was a member of the Church of Alexandria and attended services regularly at the Cathedral of Saint Catherine in Punta Santiago. He was known for his methodical habits, his extensive personal library, and his reluctance to speak at length in public, preferring to let his written work speak for him.

Death and legacy

Daniel Valkory died on 8.IX.1746 AN at his home in Punta Santiago, aged 81. He was survived by his wife Isabelle, who died in 1752 AN, and his three children. He was buried in the Valkory family plot at the Cemetery of Our Lady of Grace in Punta Santiago.

The Cortes Federales observed a moment of silence upon the announcement of his death, and the presiding officer of the Federal Assembly delivered a tribute praising Valkory as one of the founding legislators of the Federation. Premier Juan Pablo Jimenez issued a statement describing him as "a quiet architect of our parliamentary democracy." The Grand Chancery of the Order of the Federation published a memorial notice in The Federal Gazette, as was customary for Grand Officers of the Order.

Valkory's legislative legacy endured through the statutes he authored. The Cortes Federales Act, 1694 continued to govern parliamentary procedure, and the Regional and Local Government Organization Act, 1699 remained the foundation for regional administration. His academic works continued to be read by law students and practitioners.

In the 1749 general election, his son Daniel Valkory Jr. was elected as an FHP Deputy for Cárdenas, marking the return of the Valkory name to the Cortes Federales. The younger Valkory credited his father with inspiring his interest in public service.

Honours

Year	Honour	Rank/Class	Bestowed by
1706 AN	Federal Order of Merit	Officer (OFM)	H.M. the King, on recommendation of the Federal Assembly
1720 AN	Order of the Sun and Eagle	Commander (CSE)	H.M. the King
1735 AN	Order of the Federation	Grand Officer (GOFN)	H.M. the King, on advice of the Council of State
1737 AN	Order of the Imperial State of Constancia	Grand Knight Commander	Basileus Giakoumis II of the Imperial State of Constancia
1738 AN	Order of the Golden Sun	Tayta Masi (Knight Companion)	H.M. the King

Legislation authored

Year	Legislation	Summary
1694 AN	Cortes Federales Act, 1694	Established procedures for the Cortes Federales, including rules for legislation, committees, and government formation
1699 AN	Regency Act, 1699	Established procedures for royal succession and regency
1699 AN	Northern Eura Territorial Organization Act, 1699	Provided administrative framework for Euran territories
1699 AN	Regional and Local Government Organization Act, 1699	Defined relationships between federal, regional, and local governments
1718 AN	Boriquén Admission Act, 1718	Admitted Boriquén as the 11th Region of the Federation
1718 AN	Bank Run Prevention Act, 1718	Established deposit guarantees and intervention mechanisms for failing banks

See also

• Cortes Federales of Nouvelle Alexandrie
• Federal Humanist Party
• Proclamation of Punta Santiago
• Daniel Valkory Jr.
• Boriquén
• Orders, decorations, and medals of Nouvelle Alexandrie