Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-10-07
Mr.. VAN BUREN'S CORRESPON.
DENCE WITH THE POPE

ted May LIST. 1880, in which he informs
him of his official visit to the Pope. His
holiness received me-" Gays Mr. Cicognan.
in The most benign manner, and expressed
the most favorable sentiments for the gov
eminent as we'll as for the nation of the u.
nlted States OF America"
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, 2OIh July. 1890.
Felis Cicosnani, Consul Of the United States
at Rome.
SIR Your letter Of The iii, April, and the lst
Of May, the frs, anticipating the favorable senri.
men,s Of his Holiness The Pope. towards The Gov-
eminent OF the United States. and the asst confirm.
ing your anlicipaions, have been received in this
department and submitted 10 The President, by
whom am directed TO convey TO his Holiness ihro'
The same channel, an assurance Of salisficiio
which lie derives from this communication of the
frank and liberal opinions entertained by the Apos-
iOlic See towards the government and the people,
aud of the policy which you likewise state his hoH-
, ness has adopted, and which is so worthy Of the
head of a Christian Church, assiduously 10 cult.
vale IN his intercourse with foreign NATIONS, the re.
laIions Of amy I'd good will, seduousy TO abstain
rom all interference with each other, except with
the benign views Of eeclng reconcliations between
| them.
| You will accordingly seek an early opportunity
10 make known to the Pope, in the terms and man
ner hest suited to the occasion, the light in which
the President views the commun ieaion referred to;
| and likewise YOU will assure him that the President
reciprocates, to their fullest ertsnt and spirit.
| the friendly and liberal sentiments enlerta ined
by his holiness towards the government and people
Of the United States, by those which he enlerta ms
towards the Apostolic See and the people of the
Church and i, is the Presidents wish that YOU
should offer his congratulations TO the Holy Fa.
ther upon his recent succession 10 the Tiara, not
from any hereditary claim his part, but from the
preponder siing influence which just esfimote of
Ais talents and virtue had upon The enlightened
councils by which thar high dist inclon was confer.
red, and which afford The bes, pledge that his
poni6ca,e will I've spise and BENEFICIAL one.
You will take care likewise 10 assure his Holt
ness, in reference TO the parental soicituds which
he expresses in behalf OF the Roman Catholics in
the United States, that all our citizens protesting
religion, stand uJ'on the same elevated ground,
which citizens OF II other religious denominations
occupy 10 regard The right of conscience, that Of
perfect liberty, contra distinguished from federation,
that they free, in common with their fellow Cit
| liens o { all other secis, and practice The worship
best adapted 10 their reason or preiutces, and thai
there exists perfect unanimily Of faiths in The U.
States among relgionsis Of all professions, as 10
the wisdom and policy Of that cardinal feature Of all
our constituents and forms Of government those Of
the United States and seperaie states Of the Union
by which this inesimable rig ht is foI mery iecog
Missed, and the enjoyment Of il inviolably secured.
! 4 have given directions for The Transmission tc
you of the acts Of Congress which you request, b,
The earliest convenient opportunity.
In The mean time. ! am sir. respectfully,
| Your obedient servant,
MARTIN VAN buren,
! In order that the LIBERAL sentiments en-