The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-09-30
Correspondence of the New York Observer.
AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT FOR
THE HISTORIANS.
LETTER FROM REV. JUSTIN PERKINS, D. D.

MEssRs. EDlToRs,-Among the many G.
vents indicative ofthe waning tendency of
Muhammedan power and bigolrv in the East.
| which mark the present period one has re-
Gently occurred which is particularly intercs-
ting TO us, as affecting the condition and pros
poets oil the HISTORIANS OF this country. These
nominal christians have at last realized the
object OF long cherished desire, in securing
from the Persian government. the appoint
ment OF christian governor, 10 shield them
from the grinding oppression which they
have experienced, so many ages. from their
unieeling Muhammedan masters David
Khan, Georgian by birth, but for many
years Persian subject, and holding the rank
of Brigadier general in the Shah's army. is
the individual appointed TO the government
of the HISTORIANS.
Ten years ago, a.measure of this kind
would have been deemed little less difficult
than a change in the dynasty of the Empire.
The Muhammcddns Of Oroomiah, who are
the predominant class in this province, are
AfShGrS-a bold, violent race Of men, who
glory in the name oil the irun-hearted N6gdir
Shah, OF former age, as the illusirious rep
| resentallve of their tribe on The throne OfPer-
STA, and who still retain. in high degree,
| their primitive holiness and characteristic
propensities TO cruelty and oppression. The
HISTORIANS stand in the relation of scrfS, 10
| the mobiles of these AfShdTs,-each Muham-
medan Khan, Bey, or Hajee, owning vii
lage, or two, or more villages, as the case
may be; or farming villages which belong to
the government The number OF Muham-
medan mobiles, in Oroomiah, is much larger.
in proportion TO the whole population, than
that in any other province in Persia; and at
this distance from the seat of government,
/ and with their oppressive dispositions, they
have not scrapled habitually to extoit from
| their serfs always much above, and in many
| instances. twice, or even thrice, the amount
| of money and produce 10 which they are En-
titled by law; and they have inflicted the
most wanton cruelty on any OF the Nestori-
| ans who have presumed 10 refuse to Weld 10
such exactions.
In this state Of things, nominaly christian
Khan is appointed, by the Shah, 10 govern
| the HISTORIANS, 10 collect from them the taxes
ofgovernment, and TO prevent their heing re-
quircd TO render 10 their landlords any more
Of the produce Of The soil than The proportion
TO which the owners are entitled by law.
Oppression and extortion have entered so
extensively and radically into the system of
affairs, in this province, IRON time immcmo-
rial: that hosts Of iders-as the mobiles have
gradually increased-have come 10 RELY on
these means as their principal resources for
subsistence. Almost as matter of course.
therefore, there will opposition 10 change
which must compel them 10 dig, beg, or 90
hungry. But there has, of late years, been a
so.tenIng and humanizing process going on
among these ABShdrs. The present king
has repeatedly CALLED and humbled them, by |
sending men OF other tribes TO rule over them, |
as also by cashiering many prominent indi- |
vIduals among them who were officers in the |
army; their naughty spirits have been thus |
IN manner broken; and as it is now under |
stood that this christian governor of the NeS- !
tO7idns will be sustained by the EUrOpeCn /
Embassies, rs well as by the authority of the |
king, 1t seems hardly probable that there will |
be any violent attempt 10 Iewart this provs-
ion OF the Persian government to protect its .
HISTORIAN Iects,-cspccially. as the AZ T.
std7S have larerly learned 10 apprchend, tlIat
such an attempt would be likely TO recoil Sc
verely upon its authors.
The only efforts 10 obstruct this measure
of which have yet heard, are, fist, Il quiet
remonstrance. addressed 10 the kinp. bcseech-
ing him 10 cause these matters TO revert to
their former course; and, second. the Muham-
medan 4EooHdhs are exEorting their nocks
10 pray earnestly 10 God that lie would o.
scrls are acquiring so much security. and free
dom. 10 the disadvantage ol-' the iai.hlul."-
We have, however. little reason 10 think that
either Of these attempts will be successful: TO
the remonsirance," the Prime Minister is
said TO have replied that the mcmorialisis
must come 10 the capitol and pull down the
Tag OF the Russian embassy, before the OBJ
leci other petition could be gran,ed,-megn-
ing, that the measure 10 which they objected
rests on Russian influence, and therefore can
not be reversed. And quite as little reason
havewe TO think, that Just and meTcilul God
who has at length, by his providence, broken
their rod Of oppression, will heed their pray I.
ers 10 be again reinstated, in their career Of
grinding the face OF The poor and revelling OH
the tears of the widow and the orphan.
But how changed must be the position if
not the spirit of Muhammedanism thus 10 re-
sorttO the quiet means OF memorials and pray
els, instead Of the sword, on an occasion so
exciting, and, as they regard it, under so sore
a grievance, inflicted by the infidels ''
This change in the circumstances of the
HISTORIANS, II the experiment prove success
iul, (Which, from the nature of the case, is
more or less problematical,) can not fail es-
sentially TO ameliorate their temporal condi-
ton and prospects. Il removes mountain
.
IFS and their energies, and raises them up in
some measure TO the dignity ofmen Itdrives
and want from their humble dwell
lings, and throws around them quiet and COM
fort. twill also, as we trust, contribute much
10 facilitate the progress oflhe gospel among
these fallen christians; though we would moi
rely too much on any civil and political chan
not farther than they may
seem clearly to be ordered OF the Lord, as
parts Of the wonderful providentiaI move
ments in which he is working at the present
day, in such striking harmony with the
preaching ofthe gospel and the outpouring of
his Spirit for the advancement of his king
dom in the world. One direct effect of this
protection of the HISTORIANS of Oroomiah will
be, to open here more secure and inviting
asylum than has ever before existed, TO their
in the mountains, who have been