Star.
London, England, 1816-05-23 00:00:00

S. That this Committee recognizing the sacred right of every
man to adopt his religious creed, and to profees- his religious
faith, without molestation, insult, or privarlou—considering the
recognitiup of this right by human Governments to be enential
•o the r.ratiquility and happiness of the world, and esteeming it
.ab the fist dutrof RU*rs and Magistrates to ;reserve inviolate
that right t lientselves,and to guarantee its enjoyment to all classes
of society, free tr om outrage,ltnterruption, or disquietude—cannot
review the, whole history of the persecutions .wrtit the Prote-
stants of the South of frame have endured, and are enduring,
wntmut horror and indignatiosi. 'I hat tromahe verification of
documents before possessed (the truth of which was never quits-
rionable), and especially from the evidence now produced by their
respectable friend, it is perfectly evident :o th,:ni, that the parse-
ClOWill so long and so disgracetulty continued, have been insti-
gated by bigotry and intolerance, and have been excited and di-
acted by powerful leaders, against the Pro roams, as the depoei-
caries of those religious and social principles, which oust always
render their possessors efficient and heitoirable in society ; that
political opinions have only Men• the pretexts under winch the
'tedious projects of their 'enemies were concealed, as Protestants
were as prompt, and as sincere in their acceptance of •the re-
stored dynasty, as any class of Fveuchmeu whatever; that the
1 Soviet*, rapacious, .and barbarous conduct of their persecutors,
has excieded the represtutations which have been made by
the Commiuee, and has equalled in criminality that of the
most guilty persecutors of ancient times; that it is impos-
I sit& to exculpate, at -least from connivance, the Local, Civil,
and Mihnuy Authorities,, because the extent of the outrages
—the length of their duration—the publicity of the crimes—the
notoriety of the criminals—the uselessness of complaints from
the sufferers, and the vexations to which they have been exposed
—the confidence with which the rubbers an.l murderers have
eated, and the impunity and protection they have experienced,
-are equally unknown iu any cuuutry where the magistracy, how.
. ever treble, has been active am! sincere. 'I hat it is equally evi-
dent, that from some cause, which this Committee do not intend'
to assign, the higher departments of the Government hive noej
taken a suitable wettest its the dreadful calamities which have
been sustained by its faithful and honour-able subjects—have hot'
maintained equal security for the professors of ti e Protestant and
Cat hulk reletions ; but have appeared to entertain the most lively
jealousy of toe unsolicited interference of benevolent personi hi
this e•untry—have neglected to give. to the Protestants, and to
Europe any satisfaction, by demanding an account of their con•
duct irons the local or extraordinary authorities—and, finally,
have left ti.e victims of persecution at the mercy of .Preiiotal
Courts, composed of their enemies, who have indicted on Pro-
testants the mob. degrading and cruel punistimeat foralledeeel
trifling crimes, and have ispassrably acquitted Catholics—covered
t with blond, and guilty of numerous and horrid murders.
4. That it was not the design of this Committee to procure for
the Peon:stair s a temporary alleviation ut their public mfeetiirs; or
to raise an useless clainour, and then leave them a prey to persecu
door more dreadful, because theyare more secret, and because
they msunie the character of judicial punishments, instead of the
outages of Liman ; but they were resolved. to contribute,, by
every honourable means, to reiustate them in that security and
comfort they had so long enjoyed, .ail their title to which they
have never writhed. • While, therefore, the objects of their una-
bated solicitude are living under the most dreadful apprehension,
exposed to the violence of hostile authorities, cut off from the en-,
joymetas of civil society, fugitives front their homes; deprived of
their sources efsupport,suld prevented from exercising on account
a their religious opinions, their industry and talents; while Many,
from the absence of their pastors, the loss of their temples, or the
fear of their enemies, are destitute of the.public supports and coo-
sedation, of their religion ; and especially encouragt.d, . and alma.
fated by the voice of the General Body' lately expressed at their
A nuearMeeting, this Committee will not rebut in its vlailance et
activity, but will endeavour to direct public attention to the situa-
tion of the French Protestants ; to enlighten public opinion on the
true character and extent of Heir sufferings ; to excite public sym.
patty and benevolence fur the 'deviation of their calamities, and
public indignation against the authors of their distress.; and al•
though they will seize with eagerness the first opportunity to an•
notorce any improvement in the situation of their brethren, et
1 their full restoration to their former state of happiness as prof's.-
sorb of religion, they will not remit their humble efforts, not
iabandon the sacred cause to any delusive promises or violent op-
position, but will persevere, ditto the gratitude of their fellow
1 trotestants, shall be added, their congratullOnas and reposer
5. I hat grateful for the numerous and liberal contributions
Iwhich have been already received,. am only as they display tffis
geuerous emotions of Christian benevolence, and provide rata
and comfort for the miserable, but as they afford also a atrong
expression of attachment to the unalterable principles of truth.and
,freedom; this Committee renew their solicitations to those who
have not to this period remitted to* the Secretary the amount of
their subscriptions or collections; and assure all their friends, that
a punctual and faithful attention will be paid to the distribution
of the funds which way be entrusted to their care.
fligned,by elder of the Committee, • .
TIWMAS MORGAN, %creasy.