Intelligence.Persecution of the French Protestants. 6. That publicity be given to these and the foregoing Resolutions under the direction of the Committee. A. REES, Chairman. That the Chairman be requested to accept the thanks of the Body, for his conduct at this Meeting. THOS. MORGAN, Secretary. Williams's Library, Red Cross Street, January 12, 1816. At a Meeting of the Committee ap pointed by the General Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations, "for the Purpose of Inquiry, Superintendance, and Distribution of the Funds which may be contributed for Relief of the French Protestants, suffering for Conscience sake,” It was unanimously Resolved, 1. That this Committee have observed, with astonishment and regret, that attempts are making, through the medium of the press, to defeat their object, by misrepresenting their motives; and although the Committee know too well what is due to that respectable body by which they are deputed, to engage in useless warfare with those who are labouring to stifle that public sympathy which it is the wish of the body to excite, they yet owe it to their own character, and to the cause they have undertaken, to state candidly, once for all, the motives by which they have been guided and the end they have in view. 2. That this Committee, therefore, utterly disclaim for themselves and their constituents all party feelings on a question which they conceive to be purely and exclusively religious; but that if they must be ranked with a party, they are happy in ranking, on this occasion, with that of the government which listened so candidly to their representations, entered so warmly into their feelings, and pledged itself so readily to employ its good offices for the same humane purpose to which their interference has been directed. 3. That if any man, calling himself a Protestant, can impute to Dissenting ministers, as a crime, that they have shewn themselves peculiarly forward, on this occasion, he should remember that they are the descendants of those who, for conscience sake suffered the spoiling of their goods, and 47 the loss of their lives; and to whose constancy, under persecution, it is chiefly owing that religious liberty is now firmly established in this favoured land. 4. That, feeling the value of this inestimable blessing, they could not but be deeply interested by any occurrence which might threaten its loss to those, especially with whom they are united by the tie of a common faith, and a common worship; nor could they refuse their sympathy or their relief to men bleeding in the same cause which rendered the memory of their fathers immortal. 5. That though letters have been received from ministers in France, expressing objections to the interference of their Protestant brethren in England, the Committee have ascertained, from unquestionable evidence, that some of those letters have been written under constraint; and that others have been dictated by an apprehension (it is hoped erroneous) lest such an interference should injure them in the estimation of their own government, or rather, lest it should expose them to the fury of a faction, which sets the government itself at defiance; and the Committee are of opinion, that if complaints are cautiously uttered, they deserve, the more, the consideration and sympathy of those who are aware of the cause in which this caution originates. 6. That while they have been acting consistently with their own principles, in expressing their abhorrence of all religious persecution, by whomsoever practised or countenanced, they cannot but suppose that in contributing to alleviate the distresses of the French Protestants, they are coinciding with the intentions of the French government, which has been taking measures to suppress those outrages, which, if not suppressed, must occasion its own disgrace, and compromise its own safety. 7. That, in the subscriptions and collections already made, in the spirit which is spreading throughout the kingdom, and in the prospect that this spirit will ultimately enable them to grant important relief to their suffering brethren, and to the widows and orphans of the victims of persecution, the Committee have the most flattering encouragement to persevere. They do, therefore, most earnestly 48 Intelligence-Persecution of the French Protestants. request the unremitting co-operation of Protestants of every Denomination, but especially of Protestant Dissenters, in this labour of love; and they express their confident assurance that in contributing to this object, without suffering their zeal to be damped by any insinuations or assertions whatever, they are promoting the spread and establishment of that Christian Liberty which is the greatest earthly boon that Heaven can bestow on man. Signed (by Order of the Committee), THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary. At a Special General Meeting of the Committee of the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty, convened at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, London, on November 21, 1815, "To consider the Situation of the persecuted Protestants of France," SAMUEL MILLS, Esq. in the Chair, It was Resolved, 1. That this Committee, who include several Members of the National Church, and who represent many hundred Congregations of Protestant Dissenters-and of Friends to Religious Liberty of all denominations, throughout England and Wales have been taught by their forefathers, and ever will continue, to regard the right of every man, in every age, and in every country, to worship God according to his conscience, as an inviolable-sacred-unalienable right which no individuals or governments or legislatures can, without injustice and oppression, directly or indirectly, infringe. 2. That although this Committee be principally appointed to protect the Religious Freedom of their fellowcountrymen, in their native land-yet they should be undeserving of the name of Britons of Protestants-of Christians and even of men, if their philanthropy was not extensive as the world-ifthey did not sympathize with all who suffer for conscience sake-if they did not regard religious persecution, by any sect, with alarm and abhorrence and if they did not endeavour to effect its extinction, by the exertion of every energy which they possess. 3. That at this period-when instruction is so extensively diffused when liberal principles are so generally professed when the most solemn treaties and the most powerful Momarchs have recognized the rights of conscience-and when nations of every Christian denomination have united in resistance to oppression and for the restoration of permanent peace and prosperity to Europe and to the world This Committee did hope that perfect Religious Liberty would have been regarded as an hallowed plantand that all nations would have participated the beneficial fruits, which that liberty must produce. 4. That, even if this Committe could have apprehended that persecution would revive, they could not have expected that revival, and especially the revival of a persecution of Protestants, under princes-whose obvious interests demanded conciliation-whose predecessors had devastated their own countries by former persecutionssome of whose Charters had declared "that all religions should be protected by the law, and that all men of all religious professions should be eligible to the offices of state"-and whose restoration and continued authority had been chiefly effected and upheld by Protestant liberality, Protestant perseverance, Protestant valour, and Protestant support. 5. That the Committee have therefore learnt, with astonishment and deep regret, that at Nismes, and other places in the South of France, a systematic and cruel persecution of Protestants has excited, since the restoration of the present Monarch to the Throne of that Country; that their property has been seized or destroyed that many persons interesting for their youth and sex, or respectable for their industry, their loyalty, their virtue and their piety, have been assassinated-that an aged, venerable and excellent Minister of Religion has been put to death-and that the enormities which superstition, interest and cruelty have effected in former ages have there been re-performed; and that they have learnt, with augmented sorrow, that these barbarities yet continue to be perpetrated, as they have not been suppressed with that promptitude and firmness which wisdom, gratitude, benevolence and Christianity indispensably require. 6. That against deeds so full of horror, this Committee must publicly protest; and that they assure the unhappy, surviving sufferers, by such Intelligence.-Persecution of the French Protestants. conduct, that they commiserate their destiny-and-that, if such assistance should be unfortunately necessary, they will endeavour, in this Country, to provide for them an Asylum-to mitigate their sorrows-and to supply relief. 7. That although the Committee are not insensible to the principles which, under ordinary circumstances, might restrain the Government of this Country from direct interference, on this subject, with the Government of France:-yet they cannot forget that in former and even in less enlightened times such interposition has repeatedly and usefully occurred, under our best Princes and ablest Statesmen-that such persecutions are inconsistent with general peace, and violate those universal rights which all nations are bound to protect and that the Government of England now possess claims to attention and respect which no former period could present:-and that this Committee, who know the liberal principles of their own Government, and who have repeatedly experienced their attention and their aid, will humbly but earnestly entreat them to remonstrate against the evils which they announce and to exert their influence to prevent the continuance of a system which they canuot but deprecate and abhor. 8. That these Resolutions be respectfully communicated, by the Secretaries, to the principal Members of Administration;--and that they be inserted in the Daily Papers and Periodical Publications and be circulated throughout Europe, as future circumstances may require. 9. That this Committee cannot separate without expressing their thanks to their worthy Secretary JoHN WILKS, Esq. for the benevolence and zeal which he has continued to manifest in convening this Meeting-and for preparing and proposing the Resolutions, which they have unanimously adopted. SAMUEL MILLS, CHAIRMAN, 10. That this Committee renew their acknowledgments to the Chairmau for his attention and ability, and for that cordial attachment to the great cause of Religious Freedom which he has constantly displayed. THOMAR PELLATT, Secretaries. JOHN WILKS, To whom any Communications, or 40 any authentic Intelligence, on this subject, may be addressed, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, London. At a Meeting of the Committee of the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty, held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, London, on December 5, 1815, SAMUEL MILLS, Esq. in the Chair, It was unanimously Resolved, 1. That having experienced from the Prince Regent's Government the most prompt and polite attention to their application respecting the Protestants of France-having received their assurances "that it has been the invariable object of the British Government, and of their allies, to sup port, and on every suitable occasion to assert, the principles of Religious Toleration and Liberty, and that in their recent communications with the Government of France, they have brought forward these principles as the foundation of their policy, and of their just expectations:and that they are, therefore, using their best efforts to arrest the progress of evils which they most deeply deplore ;"—and having been convinced of the benefits which have already resulted from their avowal of this policy, and from the declaration of these truly British and honourable sentiments, this Committee cannot delay to record and to communicate their cordial gratitude to the Right Honourable the Earl of Liverpool, and to the other Members of the present Administration, for their past and useful efforts, and for their judicious and liberal disposition to maintain, on behalf of the Protestants of France, those great principles of Religious Freedom which this Committee most devoutly approve, and are appointed to protect. 2. That desirous to co-operate with the British Government in conduct so enlightened and beneficent, this Committee will continue to observe the measures which may occur in France, and will neither abate their vigilance, nor their humbler but utmost exertions, until the Protestants of that country shall be allowed practically, perfectly, and permanently, to exercise that Liberty of Worship, and those Rights of Conscience, which the Constitutional Charter of their own Mo narch has justly recognized, which his recent Ordonnance has wisely re 50 Intelligence. Persecution of the French Protestants. assured, and which they and every man throughout the world are entitled to enjoy. taries. THOMAS PELLATT, Secretari At a Meeting of the Friends of Civil That the exercise of private judgment in forming religious opinions, is the unalienable right of every individual, and that no Government ought to interfere between the mind of man and his God, nor ought any persons to taunt or revile their fellow-citizens or opinious deliberately and conscientiously formed. Resolved unanimously-That having petitioned the two Houses of ParJianient, during the two last years, without success, on the manifold evils arising from the system of Orangemen, which still continues with unabated violence in many parts of Ireland, it is inexpedient to present similar petitions at this time. Resolved unanimously-That in coming to the foregoing resolution, we are not actuated by any dereliction of duty, nor do we less strongly feel disapprobation of the system, nor less dread its hurtful consequences, being thoroughly persuaded that this Protestant combination against Catholics is illegal, and keeps up a spirit of irritation and animosity on both sides, and is an attempt to persecute for religious opinions. Resolved unanimously-That we earnestly entreat the Earl of Donoughmore and Sir Henry Parnell to bring forward motions on this subject during the ensuing Session, as we are convinced that the permanent tranquility of Ireland depends on the suppression of the grievances sustained from the Orange party. Resolved (With several dissentients to an amendment substituted as the last paragraph, in place of one expunged)*—That actuated by a spirit The paragraph expunged in the 5th resolution, was in the following words :We the more lament these outrages as being perpetrated by men supported by the British Government, at the termination of consistent with our first resolution we behold with abhorrence the restoration of the Inquisition in Spain, as an abridgment of the, legitimate rights of the people, which are essentially of more importance than the so much talked of legitimacy of Princes. We likewise view with the strongest emotions of disapprobation the persecution of the Protestants in the south of France, commenced apparently under the countenance of some of the branches of the Bourbons. And while we lament that this persecution should only have commenced under a Government established in France by the power of the allies, in the erecting of which they professed to have in view the establishment of social order, we hail with pleasure the pledge which the British Government have given, in their answer to the English Protestant Dissenters, of their disposition on this subject. United States of North America hold Resolved unanimously-That the out an object worthy of imitation, where all sects live peaceably together, and are equally protected in the right of forming their religious opinions. Resolved unanimously-That the Thanks of this Meeting be returned to Daniel O'Connel, Esq. as being the first in Ireland to call public attention to the persecution of the Protestants in France, at a meeting of the Catholic Association in Dublin, thus evincing that in the honourable pursuit of Catholic Emancipation, and protection from the hostility of Orange outrages, he only sought for himself, and his fellow Catholics, that liberty which he was equally ready to grant to others. tients on an amendment carried for Resolved (With several disseninsertion in the Belfast News-Letter) That these resolutions be published in the Belfast Commercial Chronicle, the Belfast News-Letter, the Dublin Chronicle, the Dublin Evening Post, and in the Morning Chronicle and à contest, which affected to be for the restoration of social order, more especially as in the various revolutionary Governments of France, however great were their excesses, or their transgressions against nerally preserved the sacred rights of conthe principles of general liberty, they ge science inviolable." Intelligence.-Persecution of the French Protestants. Statesman, and also that 250 copies be printed, and sent by John Hancock, who continues a tender of his services to conduct the correspoudence, to Members of Parliament, and others, by whom it may be hoped the cause of Universal Liberty of conscience will be aided. Resolved unanimously-That our aim in adopting the foregoing resolutions is, as well to turn public attention to the disturbed state of Ireland, from the persecutions of the Orange Societies, as to excite to sympathy on the part of the people, and au interference of the British Goverument with the outrages committed on Protestants in France. It is far from our intention to throw blame on Protestant or Catholic Communities geuerally, but only on such individuals as either in Ireland or France, violate the principles of Civil and Religions Liberty, and in this feeling we earnestly call upon the liberal of all sects to join, that by a general expression of public sentiment the evils complained of may be remedied. ROBERT ACHESON, Chairman. Meeting at the Mansion House, Hull, 18th December, 1815. 51 against the faith and worship of the 3. That, happy in witnessing and 4. That we reflect with grateful sa tisfaction on the kind and flattering reception, given to the deputation from the general body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations in London, which on the 25th of November last waited on his Majesty's Ministers; who liberally and humanely expressed the deepest At a Meeting of the inhabitants of regret at the horrid scenes lately exthis Town, held at the Guild-Hall, hibited, and a disposition to use their this day, to take into consideration best efforts for the support of the freethe Persecution which our Protes-dom of religious faith and worship. tant Brethren are now suffering in the South of France, CHRISTOPHER BOLTON, Esq. Mayor, in the Chair, Resolved, 1. That this Meeting has heard with feelings of the most poignant grief, that well-authenticated accounts have .been received in this country, of a violent and sanguinary persecution now prevailing against our Brethren of the Protestant Faith, in the South of France; of which persecution the dreadful effects are stated to be, the -sacrifice of multitudes of innocent and valuable lives, the pillage and destruction to an incalculable amount of private property, the utter demolition of many of their religious edifices, and the total deprivation of the means and -advantages of assembling themselves together for the Public Worship of God. 2. That we have sufficient reason to believe this persecution to be purely of a religious nature, and directed 5. That the thanks of this meeting be given to the General Body of Protestaut Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations in London, for taking the lead in this labour of love, and that a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to their Secretary. 6. That commiserating the state of extreme penury, to which numbers of the French Protestants, both clergy and laity, are reduced by the devastations of their oppressors, we will. immediately institute in this place a subscription for their relief. 7. That a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted by the Chairman to the Earl of Liverpool, his Majesty's First Lord of the Treasury, with a request that he will promote the wishes of this Meeting, to the utmost of his power. 8. That a copy of the same be transmitted to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York, in the hope that they will receive his Grace's approbation and concurrence. |