{"newspaper_name": "The daily union.", "edition": "01", "page": "p3", "byline": ""}
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RELIGIOUS ToLERATloN IN CHINA UNDER THE
TREATIES WITH THE UNITED STATES AND
ENGLAND.


federation in matters Of religion is destined, ere
long, to find its way into the Celestial Empire.


From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
Doubts having been expressed whether the Chi
nese edict of religious liberation, published some
months SINCE designed to include Protestants
as well as Catholics, the British plenipotentary in
China recently addressed note to Keying, the high
imperial commissioner soliciting information on this
point, and the following is the commissioners reply,
showing that distinction is to be made between
Protestants and Catholics


"KEYMG High Imperial Commissioner, &c


"Sends the following reply to the Hon. Enjoys
despatch concerning equal toleraton of the religion
professed by the English (here follows extract Of
the contents Of that letter.


"When | previously concluded the commercial
treaty with the United States, one of the articles
gave permission to erect chapels in the five ports
and all nations were to have the same privilege
without the slightest distinction. Subsequently
the French envoy, Lagrene, requested that natives,
if they were good men, should be entirely exempted
from punishment account Of the religion they
professed. l. the great minister, then again repre-.
sened this matter to the throne; upon which the I'M
peral reply was received that it should be done as
proposed, without drawing any distinction between
the rites of the several religions


GAS, however, some OF the local nanuarins selzeu
cruc6xes, pictures, and images, and burnt them, j,
was subsequently settled that permission should be
given to worship them.


'I the great minister, do not understand drawing
a line of demarcation between the religious ceremo-
nies of the various nations; but vrtuous Chinese
shall by no means be punished on account OF the
religion they hold No matter whether they wor-
ship images or do not worship images there are no
prohibitions against them, if, when practising their
creed, they act well.


''You, the honorable envoy, need therefore not to
be socitous about this matter, for all western ma
tons SHALL in this respect, certainly be treated upon
the same footing, and receive the same protection.
81 have now addressed a letter to the lieutenant
governor Of Keangsoo, to direct the inspector OF
Soochoo, Sungkeang, Taetseang, to publish another
proclamation; and likewise officially requested the
encouragement of Fokeen and Chekeang to issue
distinct declaration Of the tenor in the various
ports.
"WhiIst sending an answer, wish you much
happiness at this season, and send this important
paper. o,ro


25th year, Ilth month, 22d day (2Oth Dec, ls45.)


Received Odd inst"