Page:Memoirs of a Huguenot Family.djvu/498

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490
MEMOIRS OF A HUGUENOT FAMILY.

be valid and take full effect, notwithstanding any Judgments or Decrees to the contrary, without any prejudice, always be it remembered, to the rights of His Majesty or others in cases where the said legacies and gifts fall in mortmain. All actions and prosecutions necessary for the recovery of said legacies and other rights, may be carried on by a Solicitor, in the name of the body and community of those of said religion who are interested therein, and if it shall be found that the said gifts and legacies have been otherwise disposed of, such restitution as is practicable may be claimed.

43d.—His said Majesty permits those of the said religion to assemble before the Royal Judge, and by his authority to assess a tax upon themselves and collect the same in sufficient sum to pay the expenses of their Synods, and provide for the support of those who are charged with the exercise of their said religion, of which they will render an account to the Royal Judge : the copy of which shall be sent every six months to His Majesty or to his Chancellor. The said taxes and fines shall be levied, in spite of opposition or appeal.

44th.—Ministers of the said religion shall be exempt from guard and patrol, or lodging soldiers or other assessments and imposts, together with the guardianship of property seized under judicial authority.

45th.—With regard to interments heretofore made in Cemeteries belonging to the said Catholics, it is the will of His Majesty that no inquiry whatever shall be made, and this he enjoins upon his officers to observe. "With regard to the City of Paris, in addition to the two Cemeteries which those of the said religion now have there, that is to say, that of Trinity, and that of Saint Germain, a third shall be given to them in a place convenient for the said interments, either in the faubourg St. Honoré or St. Denis.

46th.—The Catholic Presidents and Councillors, who shall serve in the Chamber ordered by the Parliament of Paris, shall be chosen by His Majesty from the list of officers of the Parliament.

47th.—The Councillors of the said pretended Reformed religion, who shall serve in said Chamber, shall be present, if it seem good to them, at the causes which are decided by Commissioners, and they may have a deliberative voice, without having any part of the funds deposited, although they have the privilege of being present.

48th.—The oldest President of the Mixed Chambers shall preside in the meeting, and in his absence the second; and the distribution of the causes shall be made by the two Presidents conjointly, or alternately, by the month or by the week.