ts of giving liberty to the captive,
of opening the prison to them that were bound, of
restoring to their wives and families those who, by
unjust persecution, had been compelled to abandon their
homes. We have everywhere asserted their innocence of
the atrocious crime laid to their charge, and in the
face of all men have vindicated the purity and divinity
of our holy religion.

"At Constantinople our success was complete. There we
had the satisfaction of obtaining from the Sultan a
Haiti Sherif, which asserts the innocence of our
brethren after a full examination of the witnesses
against them, and of their religious writings, and
declares that the accusations against our religion were
based in falsehood, and entertained only by the
prejudiced and the ignorant. That noble writing has also
laid the foundation for improving the civil condition of
our brethren in the Turkish Dominions. To that, as well
as to the documents which have been transmitted to the
committee, I refer with exultation, as proofs that the
rulers of the East have imbibed more liberal notions,
have set themselves against the use of torture, have
secured to our brethren an equality of civil rights, and
thus given them a deeper interest in the prosperity of
the countries in which they reside. That you approve of
these acts, and testify your approbation of the whole
proceedings of the Mission, and believe that I have, to
the best of my ability, fulfilled its objects, will be
to me a source of continual satisfaction through life,
and when I am about to quit this earthly scene will
cheer the last moments of my existence.

"You are pleased to speak of the dangers and perils to
which I have been exposed. I assure you that I count
them as nothing when I consider the noble object of the
Mission, and the entire success with which it has
pleased God to crown our labours. Without, however, your
continual advice and support, I might not have been able
to accomplish that which has been done, because, when
all around appeared gloomy and dark, and I thought that
amidst the contending struggles of nations for power the
rights of humanity would be sacrificed and the liberties
of our brethren utterly destroyed, I was cheered and
sustained by the recollection of your prayers and
support, and, relying upon the God of our fathers, I
persevered until I was satisfied that the object