applying to them the law; why then could not the Catholies be exempted, free to receive, according to the rules of their Church, a Sacrament. The course adopted by the Government in having the Bill passed clearly shows that it was convinced the Bill would not have been accepted by the Roman Catholics; it being sent home before discussing it here, and having paid no regard to our protest and objections, when passing it.
We are very sorry not to see in the whole matter that delicacy of dealing and freedom in the exercise of our religious duties, by not interfering with us, for which we had always admired and esteemed the Government of this Colony.
If the Bill be enforced, as it now stands, the consequences may be both serious and disagreeable. We must be prepared to undergo all penalties rather than go against our conscience; but the sensation caused thereby in the Colony might be deep, and not at all favourable to the English Government.
Many of the Catholics could elude the law very easily by going to Macao and having their Marriages celebrated according to the regulations of our Church, and in this way the end of the law would be frustrated.
The interference with Catholic principles will be felt and regretted in a very wide circle, as Hongkong is the centre, the Head-Quarters of the Catholic Missions for all China. This may be the cause of a division between the Government and Roman Catholic authorities, who have worked together in good harmony for the past thirty-three years to the benefit of the Colony. As such like consequences may follow, we feel we are but doing our duty in laying them before you, Right Honble. Sir.
We declare we are not opposed to registration, on the contrary, we are ready and willing to aid the Government in having Marriages registered, provided it be not obligatory to go to the Registrar's Office before their celebration, but by requesting the Minister to send to the said Office the Certificate after the performance of each Marriage ceremony. Hoping that Your Lordship will take our feelings into consideration,
We have the honor to be,
Your obedient Servants,
+ John Grundle
Brimmenden
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6. V. Longo M. App.
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M. Leong
Leong Ma
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chong chóng 14442-No0 6728
No.
142
Date.
18757
Wue 23
previous Paper.
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