[History Of The Missions Of The American Board Of Commissioners For Foreign Missions To The Oriental Churches, Volume II. by Rufus Anderson]@TWC D-Link book
History Of The Missions Of The American Board Of Commissioners For Foreign Missions To The Oriental Churches, Volume II.

CHAPTER XXIV
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You will not permit anything to be required of them, in the name of fee, or on other pretences, for marriage licenses, or registration.

You will see to it that, like the other communities of the empire, in all their affairs, such as procuring cemeteries and places of worship, they should have every facility and every needed assistance.

You will not permit that any of the other communities shall in any way interfere with their edifices, or with their worldly matters or concerns, or, in short, with any of their affairs, either secular or religious, that thus they may be free to exercise the usages of their faith.
"And it is enjoined upon you not to allow them to be molested an iota in these particulars, or in any others; and that all attention and perseverance be put in requisition to maintain them in quiet and security.

And, in case of necessity, they shall be free to make representations regarding their affairs through their Agent to the Sublime Porte.
"When this my imperial will shall be brought to your knowledge and appreciation, you will have this august decree registered in the necessary departments, and then give it over to remain in the hands of these my subjects.

And see you to it, that its requirements be always in future performed in their full import.
"Thus know thou, and respect my sacred signet! Written in the holy month of Moharrem, 1267 (November, 1850).
"Given in the well guarded city Constantiniyeh." At the request of Sir Stratford Canning, thirteen of the leading Protestants called upon him, on the occasion of his procuring this charter of rights; and for nearly an hour he addressed them on their duties and responsibilities, in their present position in the empire.


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