and trouble; they sacrifice their existence and raise no
complaint or cry; what they utter is in truth the secret longing of the
heart, and what they seek and pursue is by the direction of a leader. It
is therefore necessary to regard their principles and their Chief, and not
to make a trivial thing a pretext. Now since the conduct of the Chief, the
teachings of His epistles, and the purport of His writings are apparent
and well known, the line of action of this sect is plain and obvious as
the sun. Of whatever was possible and practicable by way of
discouragement, determent, eradication, intimidation, reprehension,
slaughter, banishment, and stripes there was no lack, yet nothing was
thereby effected. In other countries when they perceived severity and
persecution in such instances to be identical with stimulation and
incitement, and saw that paying no attention was more effectual, they
abated the fire of revolution. Therefore did they universally proclaim the
equal rights of all denominations, and sounded the liberty of all classes
from east to west. This clamor and outcry, this uproar and conflagration,
are the consequences of instigation, temptation, incitement, and
provocation. For thirty years there has been no rumor of disturbance or
rebellion, nor any sign of sedition. Notwithstanding the duplication of
adherents and the increase and multiplication of this body, through many
admonitions and encouragements to virtue this sect are all in the utmost
repose and stability: they have made obedience their distinctive trait,
and in extreme submissiveness and subordination are the loyal subjects of
the King. On what lawful grounds can the government further molest them,
or permit them to be slighted? Besides this, interference with the
consciences and beliefs of peoples, and persecution of diverse
denominations of men is an obstacle to the expansion of the kingdom, an
impediment to the conquest of other countries, an obstruction to
multiplication of subjects, and contrary to the established principles of
monarchy. In the time when the mighty government of Persia did not
interfere with [men's] consciences, diverse sects entered in and abode
beneath the banner of the great king, and [many] different peoples reposed
and served under the shadow of that mighty government's protection. The
extent of the empire increased from day to day; the greater portion of the
continent of Asia was under the just rule of its administration; a