of November, 1785, by which twelve Europeans were released from gaol, and allowed cither to remain in Peking, or return to Europe: three of them preferred the former, and nine the latter, alternative.
During the present century, the mission has been persevered in, and thrice drawn forth the animadversion of government: in the years 1805, 1811, and 1815.
In June, 1815, a persecution was carried on against the Roman Catholics of Sze-chuen. The viceroy of that province in reporting the matter, said, "That the religion of the west, denominated the Lord of Heaven's religion, was a depraved, or irregular system, particularly injurious to the manners and hearts of men. That five years previously, two thousand families had recanted, and since upwards of two hundred families. He had recently apprehended seventy-two persons, seized fifty-three books, and taken six hundred and twenty crosses, three strings of beads, two dresses, and two religious caps. In the books seized, however, there was not a single expression that could be construed into an opposition to government." He closed his report by stating, that "He suspected some Europeans were still lurking among the mountains of Sze-chuen, though he had not been able to apprehend them." His majesty in reply, noticed "the blind obstinacy of men, that, when once a notion of ascending to heaven takes possession of the mind, makes them regardless of death." Two leaders, who would not recant, were ordered to be strangled; and thirty-eight others were banished to Tartary, amongst whom were several women, and an old man of eighty. The latter, and a few others, who seemed more culpable than the rest, were condemned to wear the wooden collar for ever.
