nd the
majority of the different religions and races were [represented] amongst
the subjects of him who wore its crown. But when the custom of
interference with the creeds of all sects arose, and the principle of
inquiring into men's thoughts became the fashion and practice, the
extensive dominions of the empire of Persia diminished, and many provinces
and vast territories passed out of her hands, until it reached such a
point that the great provinces of Turan, Assyria, and Chaldea were lost;
until--what need of prolixity?--the greater part of the regions of
_Kh_urasan likewise passed out of the control of the government of Persia
by reason of the interference with matters of conscience and the
fanaticism of its governors. For the cause of the Afghan independency and
the revolt of the Turcoman tribes was in truth this thing, else were they
at no time or period separate from Persia. In face of its evident
harmfulness what necessity is there for persecuting the harmless? But if
we desire to put in force the sentence [of the doctors of religion] no one
will escape fetters and chains and the keenness of the sword, for in
Persia, apart from this sect, there exist diverse sects, such as the
Muta_sh_arris, the _Sh_ay_kh_is, the Sufis, the Nusayris, and others, each
one of whom regards the other as infidels and accuses them of crime. Under
these circumstances what need that the government should persecute this
one or that one, or disturb itself about the ideas and consciences of its
subjects and people? All are the subjects of the king, and are under the
shadow of the royal protection. Everyone who hears and obeys should be
undisturbed and unmolested, while everyone who is rebellious and
disobedient deserves punishment at the hands of his Majesty the King.
Above all, the times are completely changed, while principles and
institutions have undergone alteration. In all countries such actions
hinder development and progress, and cause decline and deterioration. Of
the violent agitation which has befallen the supports of Oriental
government the chief cause and principal factor are in truth these laws
and habits of interference; while that state the seat of whose dominion
over the Atlantic and the Baltic is in the furthest regions of the North
has, by reason of equal dealing with its different subjects and the
establishment of the uniform political rights of diverse nationalities,
acquired extensive colonies in each of the five contin