Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-26


Oriental Society, in Boston, of which Edward
Everett is President, the following interesting
letter, from Rev. A. II. Wright, missionary
among the HISTORIANS, in relation to an aledged
divine parsonage, who has just fallen a martyr
to his faith, was read. Ed.
Some eight or ten years ago, man appeared
in the South of Persia, in the neighborbood of
Shiraz, and put forth pretensions that the only
way of access to God for mankind was by him
and accordingly he assumed the name of Bah,
the Arabic term for door, He found some per-
sons who soon acknowledged his pretensons,
and who became his adherents. One of his doc
trnes was, that all men ought to be subject to
him, and that consequently the power exercised
by the Shah was a usurpation. This was noised
abroad, and reached the ears of the king. He
was summoned to the capital, where he was
kept awhile, and then he was removed to Makoo,
remote district, six days journey from this
place, bordering on Turkey. Here he was kept
under guard; but such persons as desired to see
him were admitted to his presence, and he was
allowed to forward lettors to his friends, who
had become somewhat numerous in various parts
of Persia. He was visited by several persons
from Oroomiah, who became his decided ad-
herents' He was in the habit of debating to a
writer, what he called his Koran and so rapid
y did the Arabic sentences flow from his tongue.
that many of those who witnessed it thought he
must be inspired, 1t was also reported that he
had performed miracles, and multitudes readily
gave credit to the rumor, as it was known that
he was extremely abstemious in his diet, and
that he spent most of his time in prayer. You
probably know that most Mussulmans believe
that person may by abstinence and prayer at
tain so high place in the favor of God as to be
empowered to work miracles. Subsequently he
was removed by order of the Government to
Charee, near Salinas, only two days journey
from this place. Here he was almost entirely
secluded from the world but continued to write
letters TO his frinds, who handed them around as
the productions of an inspired person, though
the only evidence that ever heard given of it
was that they were unintelligible. His disciples
became still mole numerous, and in some parts
of the country they engaged in angry controver-
sy with what was called the orthodox party,
which led to a conflict. In Mazanderan some
sixty persons, and among them two princes, were
killed in single engagements The matter be-
came so serious that government issued an order
that he should be taken to Tabreez and bastina-
doed, and that his disciples, wherever found
should be fined and punished. On his way to
Tabreez he was brought to this place, where he
was treated with marked attention by the Gov
ernor, and many persons were allowed to visit
him. On one occasion a number of persons
were in his presence, and as the Governor sub
sequeDtly told me, they were all mysteriously
moved and burst into tears. AT Tabreez he was
examined as to his doctrines by a high Mollah,
who pronounced him hereto and madman,
and he was publicly beaten. He was removed
to Charee, where was secluded from the world
as before. Ctiu he hNd communication by letter
with many persons of influence IN various parts
of the country and strange as it may appear,
his pretensions were extensively acknowledged.
At Zangan, large town on the road FROM Ia
breez to the capita, ,his disciples became numer-
GUS and powerful so that last year they reslsted
some of the measures of the Government, which
was thereby induced to take decided step for
the suppression of the sect. Bah himself was
e removed TO Tabreez and shot in the public
square with one of his principal adherents, and
= troops were sent to Zangan to bring to terms
the Babites there. A spirited resistance was
, made by them. They determined 10 die rather
} than renounce their faith or yield to the govern
mont Many of them made their shrouds, and,
, throwing them over their necks issued forth,
, with sword in hand, bent on victory or DEATH
Having fortified themselves in strong part of
the town, they held out against the troops seven
, months, and killed several hundred of them, and
J some Of the chief officers. At last the head of
= the sect in the place, an energetic and shrewd
Mollah was mortally wounded; and. his disci-
pies, many having been already killed, could re-
sist no longer. A hundred of them were taken
prisoners and thrust through with the bayonet
i None were left who would venture to offer any