without the written consent of the Burgomasters in the towns, and the chief magistrates in each district. And previous to the Act of Toleration being granted, the priests shall make and sign a declaration, in verbum sacerdotis, "on their priestly word," instead of an oath; that they have a sincere abhorrence of such principles as maintain that the Pope, or any other Ecclesiastical authority, has power to release, or dispense any subject, for heresy, or for any cause whatsoever, from the oath of obedience to the civil authorities; and that no faith or allegiance is due to such as are under excommunication, or without the pale of the Church of Rome; and that they do not merely profess their abhorrence of these notions, but will, to the utmost of their power, inculcate into the members of their community, and teach, by their example, as well as by their precepts, obedience to the States and Magistrates, as their lawful superiors, and exhort them to a peaceable and decent conduct. And, finally, that they shall not solicit, nor accept any absolutions or dispensations from the Pope, or from any other person whomsoever, on the subject of the above declaration, or any part or por tion thereof, none excepted."

That the priests who are already in office, shall be equally compelled to make the aforesaid written. declaration and signature within the space of one month after the date of these present regulations; and if any of them, after being summoned, shall

refuse to make the aforesaid declaration and signature, he or they shall be banished, without any further consideration.-Report, &c. pp. 460-463.

HAMBURGH.

No Romish Bishop, or Dignitary, is suffered to reside in this State. Roman Catholic priests, however, are tolerated, subject to the nomination of the Bishop of Hildesheim and the confirmation of the Senate. No papal edicts have been published there since Luther's time.-Report, p. 48.

SAXONY.

No Romish Bishops, or Dignitaries, have resided here since the Reformation, which took its rise in this country.

When the Elector Augustus II., in 1697, embraced the Romish faith, his Protestant subjects were so much alarmed, that he was obliged to promise not to interfere with their religion in any way; and he actually resigned all power over the Lutheran church and schools to his Privy Council, with full liberty to act without responsibility to him.

When the Pope wished to establish monasteries, or send friars into Saxony, to make collections

for pious uses, the official answer was, That his Holiness could not do it of his own authority, without obtaining the king's consent.-Report, &c. pp. 466-468.

The reports of the other smaller States are immaterial, and therefore omitted.

BRITISH COLONIES.

CANADA.

Formerly the French Government solely appointed the Roman Catholic Bishop of Quebec; and the same privilege continues, and is exercised under the British sway: the nomination of the Bishop and of his coadjutor rests entirely in his Majesty's Government, without any interference from any other quarter, either spiritual or temporal. And the Pope has acquiesced in their nomination, by sending bulls of institution to the person so appointed. Thus, when General Prescott was Governor of Canada, the Roman Catholic Bishop having died, the Governor appointed his coadjutor, Monsieur Plesses, to succeed him; who, in a few months, received his bulls from the Pope, and was consecrated accordingly.

By the definitive treaty executed at Paris, in 1763, "The Roman Catholic Religion was to be tolerated in Canada, so far as the laws of Great

Britain permit," and accordingly the inhabitants are entitled to the free exercise of the Romish Religion, but not to the powers and privileges of it as an Established Church; "for that is a prefer ence which belongs only to the Protestant Church of England."

Upon these principles, therefore, and in order that the just supremacy of the Crown of Great Britain, in all matters Ecclesiastical and Civil, may have its due scope and influence,

All appeals to, or correspondence with any foreign Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, of what nature or kind soever, are absolutely prohibited, under very severe penalties.

The oaths and declarations of allegiance, su premacy, &c. are required to be taken and subscribed by the Romish Clergy, who may be appointed to any Ecclesiastical benefice, or licenced to exercise any power or authority in respect thereto.

Such Ecclesiastics as may think fit to enter into the holy estate of matrimony, are released from all penalties to which they may be subjected by the See of Rome.

The Society of the Jesuits was suppressed and dissolved in 1770, and all their rights, possessions, and properties vested in the Crown; but sufficient stipends and provisions were granted to the mem→ bers during their natural lives.

See the Instructions of the British Ministry to

the Governors of Canada, from 1763 to 1811.Report, pp. 471-482; and Baron Maseres' valuable Quebec Papers, 2 vols. 1775-1786, of the occurrences while he was Attorney-General of that province.

ST. DOMINGO.

After this island became subject to his Britannic Majesty, on a vacancy in the Episcopal See, an application was made to the Court of Rome to expedite bulls of institution in favour of a prelate actually nominated to that See by the British Government; but his nomination having been withdrawn, from local considerations, another communication was made to the Court of Rome to obtain suspension of the faculties requested. Report, p. 49.

MALTA.

Upon the decease of the Bishop of Malta, in 1807, the Pope nominated Monsignor Mattei to the vacant See; and his Sicilian Majesty also applied in his favour, to the Governor, Sir A. Ball, through his Minister, the Marquis of Circello, to have the Pope's Bulls carried into effect, as usual, for his institution, and enjoyment of the revenues of the See of Malta. But the nomination of the Pope, and recommendation of the Sicilian Court,