Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-10-04

which, still Withholding the rights of mar from tue
descendants ofthe Patriarchs, nevertheless
mild and tolerant in their measures liberal and
generous to afflicted people.
The settlement ofthe Jews in England was coeyai
with Julius Cesar. the threads of the Saxons and
Danes have oblitera'ed much of the chronicles and
traditions relative to their early existence in that
country. William the Conqueror brought with him
large colony irem Normandy, and for stipufa-
ted sum of money conferred upon them certain
CONNER cial privileges, and assigned them places to
inhab 1t was in the feudal ages that. the Jews of
Britain were the most enlightened, tolerant and
polished Opulent in circumstances, and enter
prsing in the dev eopeent of resources, they gave
an early impetus and direction to that trade and
commerce, which has since successfully extended
itself TO every quarter of the globe. During the
reign. of William Rufus and Henry III. the Jews
were favored and protected, though always con-
sidered vasssls of the crown, be tolerated or pill
LACED according 10 the caprices of government
The crueltes pTactised towards them during the
misguided periods OF the crusade, caused many of
he most respectable TO abandon the couutry.-
Several families however, returned under an invi-
iation from King John, TO be again plIagtd, pro-
scrbed and murdered; and for five hundred years
their condition underwent material change.---
Occasionally protected, but too frequently oppres-
sed, deprived of the natural rights of subjects and
citizens, 1t was not surprising if the Jews in Eng
land, during those periods, acquired wealth without
the reign of George II a bill was introduced in
Parliamen, for the naturalization OF the Jews. It
was supported by the ministry, though opposed with
warmth by the people, and produced great excite
ment In the public mind 1t nevertheless became
a laws bu; such was the strenuous opposition maui
Tested on the occasion, that it considered pru-
dent 10 repeal II at the ensuing session. The s.me
legal disqualiications still exist in Grea Britain;
but II Is gratifying 10 know, that the government
affords the Jews certain rights, immunies and
protection, and our people in that country in add-
ton TO wealth and influence, rapidly advancing
in the career of learning and civilization, of charity
and liberal feelings.
The miseries inflicted upon our nation in England
during the Crusade, extended their unhappy conae-
quences to France. The Jews were among the
earliest settlers in Gau, and by their superior talent
aAd nd. antaees endeavoured TO enc ourage and ex-
tend civilization among rude and EaI arous peo-
pie. Their suferings, banishmen.s ana EIassacies
during the reigns OF Philip A1gustus Lewis .he
Ninth, Philip the Fair, Philip lie lall, Charles the
Sixth and ievefai successive kings, ill ie sangui-
nar' pages al history, and present list OF enurm-
ties mat mikes humanity shuti3oi. L. 1866, ,ley
were al b'nlsheG the Kingdom, ard in the sue
ceeding year. only four families were permitted to
reuurn. in the Eth and 18th centuries, the, were
gradually permitted 10 occupy their former places
of residence, though still exposed to the .corn of
the ignorant, and the insults OF the barbarians and
sucn feelings were encouraged and perreuajed by
an edici OF The government compelling them 10
wear distinctive dress.
During the French Revolution the Jews claim
ed from the constituent Assembly 1.-The eh,s of
citizens; many enlightened statesmen espous ed their
cause, AID the decree OF 1890 gave them legal
existence. Among The philanthropiss OF the age
WHO raised his voice successfully III their behalf
was my venerable and pious friend, the Bishou
CIresoire, 10 whom the Jews owe an iAcaculable
debt OF gratitude. The civil revolution in the con-
= fN-,,1
moral one, which resulted from the proceedings of
the Sanhedrm, convened at Paris, by the decree OF
lSO6, and which presented 10 he orld a galaxyof
talent and learning which would do honour to any
age or any country. The Jews in France are ciii-
zens, and the character granted by the good king,
Louis the ISth, confirmed all their rights They
are manufacturers, agriculturasts, merchants and
bankers, and many OF them possess distinguished
talents.
The history of our people in Spain is of peculiar
interest Spain was country dear 10 the Jews and
after their dispersion, the of learning and the
birth place OF our Creates scholars
The Jews first appeared in Spain, during the
reign OF the emperor Arian, and in his time were
numerous and wealthy, but like our brethren in
britain and France, their lives and property were
held 10y fra tenure, and the Goths exercised a
lucrative oppression this prescribed and unhap
py people.
Alter the expulsion of the Jews from Syria and
Egypt, they Joined the Saracens and aided then, j.,
the conquest oil Spain. Favoured by the Calipbs
and united by reciprocal hospitality towards The
Christians, the Jews found lu,n and protection
from the Saracen Mon1rchs, and the most brilliant
epoch In our history from the destruction of the
temple, may be traced to this period Ia the early
ages The Jews were enlightened and learned in the
law, they were The foes OF Paganism, the enemies
OF idoiators; but 1t was under the Caliphs of Bag
dad and the Saracens OF Spain that they cultivated
the sciences, and established seminaries of learning
and schools OF literature and philosophy.
The revolutions in that country commencing i'm
the eleventh century, eventuated unfortunately foy
he Jews, and The declared by Ferdinand against
the Saracens was the commencement OF their
UouDies and calamities. During the eleventh and
'Welih centuries many learned Rsbbis appeared
which dld honour 10 the age and country They
Were not only deeply versed in caraiisi al segor-
zeal and ny stica interpretations on the law but dis
ungnshcd 'naihemaiclans, astronomers, masters of
the dead and living languages, and natural philoso-
phers. In Toledo and Aadalusia tley had colleges
Ia The most Aoui-hing condition. and the pietv and
Industrious talents Of Abraham Ben Esdra. Msuoni
des hiinchi, Jarch Haieri, ARRAY enel and OILERS.
arrested The brlancy OF that epoch in Jewish his
to'y- lie Jury OF the Crusaders was perhaps more
severely felt by the Jews in Spain than in any other
part OF The world, and more OF our people ,Oandoned
nat county than Nere brought out nf the land of
Egypt - Noses Under the enlightened and liberal
Moorish Kings, The jews lived proaprfou.ly Il,
SPAIN but the destruction ofthc Moor. caused their
rum, and to this daJ they have been beushed tic
country Upwards oil million of Jews speak the
Spanish language and will never Cease to regret the
DaiOmous eaicts which pronbit their residence in
nat beautiful. but neglected part Of the globe
Spain is miraculous and providcntlal instance
OF ne impolcy and npiey Of religions prosecutions
she Is weaker in resources, III character, in the
so -