§ THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURYpresented, according to notice, Petition of Presidents and other officers of Bodies of various Denominations engaged in the Diffusion of Christian Knowledge throughout the habitable Globe, for the Diffusion of Christianity through Her Majesty's Territories in the East Indies. But the great 2117 object of the petitioners was to make clear their principles and objects, and the means by which they sought to carry them out, having in course of their undertaking been very much misrepresented, being particularly of late charged with bigotry, violence, with a desire to make proselytes by force, to bring the Government in aid of their operations, and with a variety of schemes most fatal to the peace of India and injurious to the propagation of Christianity. The petition was drawn up in most moderate terms, and set forth the principles of the petitioners broadly and clearly, and it might be considered as a sort of confession of faith of the various religious bodies in England, exhibiting their objects and mode of operation. The petitioners hoped that the petition would be laid on the table, because reference could then always be made to it whenever they were charged with bigotry, and with attempts to carry on their operations in a manner hostile to the peace of India, and prejudicial to the Government, whether by force or bribery, or by any other illegitimate inducement to persuade the Natives of India to embrace the Christian faith. To this document the petitioners pointed as indicating the principles by which they were now, and, by God's blessing, would still continue to be governed, in the great cause of the advancement of civilization and the diffusion of Christianity throughout the length and breadth of India. The noble Earl concluded by presenting the petition, and moving that it be read by the Clerk at the table.
§ Petition read.
§ THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGHMy Lords, I do not know that with reference to this petition I need say more than that, as long as I have anything whatever to do with the government of India, I shall adhere most strictly to the ancient traditional policy of the British Government in that country—namely, that of absolute neutrality in matters of religion; and that I intend, as far as in me lies, that that neutrality shall be real—that it shall not exist only in the language of the Government, but in its acts, and in the acts of all its officers. I have heard with satisfaction from my noble Friend that the petitioners do not desire the aid of the Government. I feel satisfied that nothing could be more injurious to their objects than even the appearance that such aid was extended to them. By themselves— by individual exertion — by private means 2118 —they may have some success; but I feel convinced that if it were for a moment supposed that the Government extended its aid to them—as I fear may have been of late to some extent the case—the result would be the greatest danger to our interests in India, and the utter destruction of all the hopes of the missionaries of religion.
§ Petition to lie on the table.
§ House adjourned at Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, at half-past Ton o'clock.