The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-04


Structure on Archbishop Hughes s.CathoIic
| Chapter An the History of the United
Stntes''--1Ontinued.
| RELIGIOUS LIBFRTY IN LORD BALTiMoRE's MARY
| LAND ccLoNy-TBE STORY THAT ROMAN oATH0-
lies ARE ENTITLED 10 CREDIT THEREFOR HUM
BUG-THE CHARTER GUARANTEED LIBERTY OF
| CoNscIENoE-BANoRoFr AGAINST BANCROFT
OPINIONS OF MMAnoN AND KENNEDY, ETC.
WASHINGTON CITY, May II. 1852.
Mr.. BESNETT-
Archbishop Hughes says (p. Ply Sc Ths palm
Of having been tho first to preach and practice it
(relgous liberty is due: beyond all controversy,
to the Catholic colony of Maryland"
That religious liberty existed in the colony Of
| Maryland, in much purity for the age, will not
deny; but that it is to be ascribod to Roman
| Catholicism or to Roman Catholics, such, do
| deny. Tho Archbishop must claim it as an ema-
nation Of Catholicism. or as an isolated case by no
means characteristic Of Roman Catholicism. If she
latter, it ayails him nothing-provng only that
they with whom it originated were in some de-
/ gree imbucd with the puro principle of Pro-
testantism and republicanisni--th right Of pri-
waite iudgmont-which is dramatically opposed to
ana ever at war With tho pure principle Of Roman
natural cmanation from Catholicism then we must
| expect to find it in common practice with those ma
tions which have ever hold the Catholic faith in
greatest purity. In this naturally look for
the like in the colonies of Spain; that country in
| which ony-as priest declared in this city few
weeks ago-is to be found at the present day, pure
and genuine liberty But we look for it in Mexico
Let ne, then, come nearer home and look for lto-
man Catholic liberation in Florida and louisiana
Do you see it! lit ever there! No. But will
tell you what may be seen Look, if you please, in
tho Laws Z. s., vol. l-"S Spanish Regulations for
| the allotment Of lands in Louisiana.
Sec 6.--The privilege OF enjoying liberty of con-
science is not to extend beyond the first generation
The children of those who enjoy it must positively
be Catholics. Those who will not conform to this
rule not to be admitted, but to be sent back
out Of the province immediately. even though they
possess much property.
{" See I'm the Illinois, none shall be admitted
but Catholics of the classes Of farmers and artisans
The provisions Of the preceding article shall be ex-
planned to the emigrans already established in the
province who are not Catholics and shall be obsery-
cd BY them; the not having done it until this time
being omission, and contrary to the orders of his
Majesty, which required it from the beginning.
s'Sec S.-The commandments will take particular
care that no Protestant preacher, of any sect
other than the Catholic, shall introduce himsefno
tho province The least neglect in this respect will
be subject Of great apprehension
Extract from the reply of the Baron de Caronde-
let, Governor of Louisiana, to the request of the
| Baron de Bastrop to be permitted to transport
number Of Protestant families from New Madrid to
| Washita
ssThey shall not be molcsted in matters Of rel-
gion; but the Apostolical Roman Catholic worship
shall alone be publicly permitted"
its mildes form. Contrast these rules and regula-
tions with the provisions Of the charter of Mary
land, executed by Protestant Charles Of England,
ana YOU Will see something Oh ulHcIcuce UeIWeeu
Roman Catholicism and Professionalism In the case
of Maryland. we find Protestant king granting
princey domain, with royal privileges, to u Roman
Catholic lord. and without any restriction whatever
to the enjoyment Of religious liberty by himself,
any whom he might see proper to transplant into
/ that colony. A like this is no where to be
| found among Roman Catholic princes. / know that
4 Archbishop Hughes claims for the Roman Catholics
of Poland the honor for degree of religious liberty,
| which was enjoyed for season by other religious
sects, in that Inflated kingdoms but, if this were
the proper time, could show that they who granted
4 that liberation were not Roman Catholics. Rel-
| gious liberation and Catholicism antiroies.
| Instead of the religious liberty Of Maryland be-
/ ing q gratuity of the Roman Catholic part Of the
! colonsts and Lord Baltimore-as DR.. Hughes and
! others would have us to belevc-I will show to the
satisfaction Of every unprecedented reader that it
was necessity, growing out Of the charter and the
circumstances of the times and which it was not in
\ their power to avoid
/ Dr. Hughes quotes largely from Mr. Bancroft's
History Of the United States III support OF his posi-
! ton but these passages for the most part, are
/ comm ndatons Of the wisdom and other valuable
qualities Of the lord proprietary, and Of the mild
and liberal government of tho colony, and a taking
for granted sort of Indebtedness Of the Protcs-
tantS who settled there, to their Roman Catholic
\ fellow citizens, for the privileges enjoyed by thcm
rather than arguments drawn from facts or reason,
! to prove such indebtedness. There arc readers of
history. however. who 10 not take things for grant
ed. If the writers do. ] invoke the special atten-
/ ton Of all such.
/ Now, if the provisions Of the charter aud other
circumstances, were powerful enough to restrain
Lord Baltimore and his Catholic coonists from pass
ing any act Of intolerance persecution of Profess
tants, then the latter certainly under obi
CATION to them for the religious liberty enjoyed in
common in the colony. The following are the prin-
clal passages in the charter, favorable to religious
liberty
The seventh section after empowering the lord pro-
prctary and the freeman of the colony to enact laws
and establish judicial tribunals, concludes in these
words-''So nevertheless, that the laws aforesaid
no 70 rea- aud bp NOT rCpurnaut
contrary but ESQ far asconvenently may be) agree
able to the laws, statutes customs and rights of this
kingdom Of England"
J contend that no law could have been made in
the colony prohibiting the enjoyment OF religious Ii
berty by Protestants, without violating this pro-
yiso.
The tenth section is one that was was valued by
the coions.s in very high degree. 1t is rather too
long to be copied here bu it declares the coloniss
and their descendants for all time to be natives Of
England, and to be entitled to all she rights. priv
lcgcs and immunitcs appertaining TO those born in
England. : In all things they shall be held sreat-
ed. rcputed and esteemed as the faithful liegemcn
Of and our heirs and successors. born within our
kingdom Of England -" and likewise all privileges,
franchises and liberties II this our kingdom OF Eng
land freely quietly and loaceably 80 have and pos
sess and the same may use aud enjoy, 10 the same
manner a. our liegc men born to b. born wtain
our said kingdom OF England" &c.
Could that religious liberty which was enjoyed IN
England be denied ia tho Maryland colony. without
Nloaticnof this provision Of the charter! Ger
tainiy not. And in tho twenty second ss.tion re-
speetng the Interpretation or construction OF Che
language Of the cbarter, We Gud lis cautious pgo
viso =" Provided always that 10 iutorv .,.atisn
thereof be made, Whereby GoIs holy IND tgus
Ctriftan religion, or Gro ALL glance due to US our
heirs and succcsscs., may u nuyVise suecr, by
charge, peiuiioc, o. Il miimli0n,
II the Ring had t1.cia ullpsion IN this p.osso
10 the Establi he'd Church. tho ds-n..rs ia tn
colony could isD back upon tho tights SECURED 10 MI
in the seventh ard tontb SECTIONS II the charter,
though in reality, the! bad little need at this time
10 ask favors from any quarter; for in the mother
country the time had now yearly psssoJ whom they
could DO pcrseeutcd with immunity. The authority
of Archbishop Laud--thoir mott formidable enemy
and Of The King himself, vas rapidly declining
while the very existence of the Established Church
and Of Popery in England seemed hanging by
hair.
But let us see what are The opinions Of some oil
tho most approved writers on American history as