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NOTES.
NOTE A Page 86.
.As native Christians are often mentioned in the course of this work, it will not perhaps be uninteresting to give a short account of the origin and progress of Christianity in the Burmese Empire. Our information is in great measure derived from inedited sources.
In the year 1719 Pope Clement XI sent a solemn embassy to China, consisting of the Patriarch of Alexandria Monsignor Mezzabarba, and several zealous ecclesiastics. They had a gracious audience of the Emperor at Pekin on the last day of the following year; but, their affairs having subsequently taken a less favourable turn, the Patriarch returned to Europe, after having distributed his clergy in different countries. Two were appointed to the Kingdom of Ava, Pegu and Martaban, the Rev. Joseph Vittoni, a secular priest, and F. Calchi, a member of the Barnabite congregation, and a young man of very superior parts and acquirements. On their arrival at Siriam, then the principal port of Pegu, they found there two Portuguese clergymen, who acted as chaplains to the few descendants of their countrymen who yet remained there, but were wholly ignorant of any language but their own. After much opposition from several quarters, which they vanquished by a personal conference with the sovereign, they were authorized to erect churches and preach the christian religion. The King even dispatched the Abbate Vittoni with a present of precious stones to His Holiness. F. Calchi proceeded to erect a church in Ava; but worn out with fatigues he died, March 6th, 1728 in the forty-third year of his age. About the time of his death a small supply of missioners arrived, and the result of their labours became sufficiently cheering to induce the zealous Pontiff Benedict XIV. to appoint a Bishop as Apostolic Vicar in that mission, and to entrust its management to the Baruabite Fathers. F. Gallizia was the first Bishop; but the most distinguished labourer in that mission was F. Nerini, who, being a man of great eloquence, publicly preached, with great effect, the doctrines of Christianity. Many churches were now erected, and the catholic worship publicly exercised; funerals and processions marched through the streets without giving the slightest offence. Upon the capture of the city of Siriam, the churches were entirely plundered, and w'ith difficulty saved from destruction. In 1745, the Christians received a severe blow; by the massacre of the Bishop and two missioners as they were accompanying some Dutch officers, who had gone to court upon a safe conduct from the emperor himself. The Christians were dispersed, and F. Nerini only saved his life by flying to India. He returned to Siriam in April 1749- Being now in great favour, he erected the first brick-building ever seen in that country. This was a church eighty feet in length, and thirty-one in breadth, with a large house adjoining for the residence of the clergy. One Armenian merchant, who had no children, contributed upwards of 7000 dollars to these pious works.
The following are the principal christian establishments, existing or erected about this time.
In Ava was the first church, destroyed afterwards when the new capital was erected. From a letter of F. Amato iu 1822, it appears that a church and house has been built in this.
At Siriam a house and church built under the direction of F. Gallizia. Another church and house built by F. Nerini. A college containing forty students. An establishment for orphan girls. This city is now nearly destroyed.
In the city of Pegu, a church and house.