Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-06-19

of the Mississippi The Protestant periodicals. of the
country, for time past have, many of them tenn
ed with publications the subject warning the
muny of the danger at hand, and of the necessity OF
being its guard against what they consider the
nsdicus and deadliest foe to the political well the
religious interests of the country Of any that exists; and
many facts have been ELECTED going show, that within
few years past very Increased and vigorous efforts
have been made, and still making extend the
fuencc OF Popery this country and L. Tor one. have
my fears. that unless guarded and watchsn al
every point, fatal inrcads may be made 10y those ct.
forts into happiness and tranquility al a People and
Nation; and, fos one, also fear that the unfortunate let
alluded TO- may possibly have had but too much in
huence in bringing about those results from the date
that letter up to this time consequences which, how
ever, admit may not have been oresecn contern-
'' "''e' A FRIEND TO LIBERTY.
COMMENTARIES
what "mystcry hangs over that letter.? Why was it
written Was it volunteered the part of Mr.. Van
Burenor it drawn from him by any previous Com
munication from the Popsh Government Certainly
the attcras appears from the following Extract of the
Globe of June, lS3l
''1hc circumstances alluded To are simply these-Nr
Ccognani, Consul of the United States, Rome on
ing presented, in his official character To the late POPE
Plus VIII, after his installation, received by
him. as he stated in letter 10 the DEPARTING of State
with great kindness In the interview which followed
the Pope informed him. that hc entertained very favora-
bic and friendly sentiments towards the Government and
People Of the United States and that he the
favorobly inclined towards them because the Catholics of
the United States enjoyed equal protection with citizens
OF other creeds and he expressed WISH that Mr. Ccoo.
mani would make known these sentiments to this CO.
vernnent, with his desire that they might con.
tinue to enjoy the same protection.
Upon making this communication to the DEPARTING mt
Mr. Cccgnan expressed a desire TO be made the inter
prefer of the sentiments which the President think
proper 10 rcciprocatc upon the OCCASION
In the instructions which accordingly given by
the Secretary of State to that Officer he directed
express the friendly sentiments entertained by The Pre-
siden and this Government towards him. but a word
was said in them about the present Administration,
the disposition of the Roman Catholics of the United
States towards it, All that was said i'm relation 10 them
is contained in the following extract from the Secretary
OF States despatch to the Consul which has already been
made public:
You will take care likewise to assure His Holiness in
reference TO the Paterna solicude which he expresses
IN behalf of the Roman Catholics of the United States
that all our citizens protesting that Religion stand upon
the same elevated ground which citizens of all other
gious occupy in regard To the liohts of
conscicnccta of perfect liberty distinguished
from tocrdf0atat they enjoy entire exemption from
ceescon in every possible shape upon the of
gious Falkland that they free, in common with
their iellow-czens of all other sects, adhere to- or
adopt the crceds and practise the worship best adapted
TO their reason prejudccsand that there exists per-
ec unity of faith in the United States amongst religion
ISIS OF all professions, to the wisdom and policy of
that cardinal feature of all constitutions and forms
u government both those of the United States and the
separate States of the Union by which this ncstimabe
rghl IS formally recognized, and the enjoyment of it in
What could correspondent have wished? A new
fope IS installed Was our Consul not to have waited
upon him, as has been the uniform etiquette? When the
rope expressed himself in the and liberal
terms about our Government Institutions would lac
have had Mr. Cicognani withhold the statement from
communicated these sentiments to our Government,
would he have wished the Secretary of State remain
tdoggedy SILENT Or would he not rather advise him
:elurn courteous and liberal letter, What mystery
Is there in all this? And fthe Secretary say any
thing in reply, how could he better address himself to
TIE Papa Government The Pope had exprcssed TO our
Consul the favorable sentiments he felt for the United
States, on account of the Catholics enjoying equal pro-
lection with the citizens other creeds? Could any re-
ply be made more appropriate, than that this protection
flowed from the very character of free institutions
.a !he is unettcred in this country;
tlat 1t enjoys pcifect liberty, conadstnguished from
toferatOn &c, &c. Ought any man to suspect Mr. v
b. who says positively, ~ cas and an not Ro
7ndn Cant0tic and who has motive to become Caho-
iic Hissonary-o suddenly turning round and inviting
the Catholics TO the u States for the purpose of chang
ing not only the religious but the political Creed of his
Our Correspondent says that Mr. " BIS letter is
couched in aterg terms. Is ii So than the civil
letter. which Mr. Jefferson addressed to the Emperor of
Morocco, willie he Secretary of State under the
Instructions of Cen. Washington? If the one letter
makes Mr. b. Catholic, does the other convert
nlr Jefferson INTO fah0medan ?lf he objects this
letter OF hr Van Buren,, Will he not equally object to
the following letter from Gen Washington to the Ro-
man Catholics in the u. States?
ADDRESS Of tic Roman (atholics TO George Bashuoto
President Of The u. States
DIR We have long been impatient testify our Joy
ana unboundcd confidence your being called by
unanimous vote 60 the first station of country in which
that unanimity could have been obtained without
the previous merit of unexampled services of eminent
wisdom, and unbemshcd virtue. Our congratulations
not reached you sooner because scattered sua
ton prevented our communication and the collecting of
tose sentiments which warmed breast But the
lay mas furnished US with the opportunity merely of
Pesaghs inc happiness to be expected under your Adj
innistratInn, but bearing testimony to that which we cx
periencc already Ii your peculiar talent in war and i'm
peace to afford security to those who proec
ton IN your hands. In war you shield them from the
fayages OF armed hostility peace you establish public
tranquility, by the Justice and moderation not less than
by The yigor of your Government. BY example as well
as ny vigilance you extend the influence laws on the
manners OF your fellowcitizens. You encourage re-
spect Tor religion, and ncucar by words and actions
mat principle Oh which the welfare of nations much
depends, that experimenting Providence governs the
events OF the world and watches the conduct of
the men, Your exalted naxims, and unwearied attcn-
lion TO the moral and physical improvement of our
country, have produced already the happest effects
Onucr your Administration, America is animated with
zca ior the attainment and encouragement of useful
hterature she improves her agriculture extends her
commerce, and acquires with foreign nations dignity
unknown TO her before. From these happy events in
wlich none can feel than ourselves
we derive additional pleasure, by rejecting that YOU
nave been the principal instrument effect SO rapid
change IN our political situation This prospect Of ma
uona prosperity peculiarly pleasing on another ac
count because while our country preserves her freedom
ana independence, shall have well-founde title
to claim from her justice tie equal rghs of czcnsD os
The price NJ bood spill undor Jour sgcs and Of or
c0"moH eIcrttoS TOR her decnce under uour ausycoMs
re0ndHct-righs rendered dear remembrance
OF former hardships. When pray for the prcserya
on OF tem where they have been grsntcd-and expect
uie iuli extension of them from the Justice otose States
wnch VIII restrict thcm-when solicit the protection
oil feaven over our common counry-ge neither omit
nor can omit recommending your preservation to the
singular care of Divine Providence because we con
celye that no human so available TO promote
the welfare Of the United States as the Of
your heah and life, in which included the energy of