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Letter to Editor
March 11, 1789
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A letter to Mr. Melcher of the Gazette critiques Rev. Mr. Thayer's defense of the Pope and Catholic Church's infallibility by republishing a 150-year-old list of papal indulgences and fees for absolution, dispensation, licenses, and faculties, implying corruption.
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For the GAZETTE.
Mr. Melcher,
As the Rev. Mr. Thayer's argument, to defend the infallibility and holiness of the Pope and Church of Rome, in a late publication in your paper, must, I apprehend, appear defective to those who have not yet adopted the doctrine of implicit faith and obedience; therefore to supply this deficiency, which is not to be wondered at, considering he is but a new convert, and cannot yet be so fully initiated in the mysteries of the holy catholic church, the following list of indulgences, or fees of the Pope's chancery, published about 150 years ago, by authority of the then Pope, is now offer'd for re-publication in your useful Gazette, in order to set the important matter of the infallibility and holiness of that church in a more clear and convincing point of light, by your's, &c.
ABSOLUTIONS.
For him that stole holy or consecrated things out of a holy place, 10s. 6d.
For him who lies with a woman in the church, 10s. 6d.
For a layman for murdering a layman, 7s. 6d.
For him that killeth his father, mother, wife, or sister, 10s. 6d.
For laying violent hands on a clergyman, so it be without the effusion of blood, 10s. 6d.
For a priest that keeps a concubine; as also his dispensation for being irregular, 10s. 6d.
For him that lieth with his own mother; sister; or god-mother, 7s. 6d.
For him that burns his neighbour's house.
For him that forgeth the Pope's hand, 11l. 7s. 6d.
For him that forgeth letters apostolical, 11l. 7s. 6d.
For him that takes two holy orders in one day, 21s. 6d.
For a king for going to the holy sepulchre without licence, 71l. 10s.
DISPENSATIONS.
For a bastard to enter all holy orders, 18l.
For a man or woman that is found hanged, that they may have christian burial, 11l. 7s. 6d.
LICENSES.
For a layman to change his vow of going to Rome, to visit the apostolic churches, 18l.
To eat flesh and white meats in lent and other fasting days, 10s. 6d.
That a king or queen shall enjoy such indulgences, as if they went to Rome, 151l.
For a queen to adopt a child, 30l.
To marry in times prohibited, 21l. 5s.
To eat flesh in times prohibited, 1l. 4s.
Not to be tied to fasting days, 1l. 4s.
For a town to take out of the church them (murderers) that have taken sanctuary therein, 41l. 10s.
FACULTIES.
To absolve all delinquents, 3l.
To dispense with irregularities, 3l.
Mr. Melcher,
As the Rev. Mr. Thayer's argument, to defend the infallibility and holiness of the Pope and Church of Rome, in a late publication in your paper, must, I apprehend, appear defective to those who have not yet adopted the doctrine of implicit faith and obedience; therefore to supply this deficiency, which is not to be wondered at, considering he is but a new convert, and cannot yet be so fully initiated in the mysteries of the holy catholic church, the following list of indulgences, or fees of the Pope's chancery, published about 150 years ago, by authority of the then Pope, is now offer'd for re-publication in your useful Gazette, in order to set the important matter of the infallibility and holiness of that church in a more clear and convincing point of light, by your's, &c.
ABSOLUTIONS.
For him that stole holy or consecrated things out of a holy place, 10s. 6d.
For him who lies with a woman in the church, 10s. 6d.
For a layman for murdering a layman, 7s. 6d.
For him that killeth his father, mother, wife, or sister, 10s. 6d.
For laying violent hands on a clergyman, so it be without the effusion of blood, 10s. 6d.
For a priest that keeps a concubine; as also his dispensation for being irregular, 10s. 6d.
For him that lieth with his own mother; sister; or god-mother, 7s. 6d.
For him that burns his neighbour's house.
For him that forgeth the Pope's hand, 11l. 7s. 6d.
For him that forgeth letters apostolical, 11l. 7s. 6d.
For him that takes two holy orders in one day, 21s. 6d.
For a king for going to the holy sepulchre without licence, 71l. 10s.
DISPENSATIONS.
For a bastard to enter all holy orders, 18l.
For a man or woman that is found hanged, that they may have christian burial, 11l. 7s. 6d.
LICENSES.
For a layman to change his vow of going to Rome, to visit the apostolic churches, 18l.
To eat flesh and white meats in lent and other fasting days, 10s. 6d.
That a king or queen shall enjoy such indulgences, as if they went to Rome, 151l.
For a queen to adopt a child, 30l.
To marry in times prohibited, 21l. 5s.
To eat flesh in times prohibited, 1l. 4s.
Not to be tied to fasting days, 1l. 4s.
For a town to take out of the church them (murderers) that have taken sanctuary therein, 41l. 10s.
FACULTIES.
To absolve all delinquents, 3l.
To dispense with irregularities, 3l.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Provocative
Religious
What themes does it cover?
Religion
What keywords are associated?
Catholic Church
Pope Indulgences
Absolutions Fees
Papal Corruption
Rev Thayer
Satire Religion
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Melcher
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Melcher
Main Argument
rev. mr. thayer's defense of the catholic church's infallibility is defective; republishing historical papal indulgences demonstrates its corruption and lack of holiness.
Notable Details
References Rev. Mr. Thayer's Recent Publication
List Of Indulgences From About 150 Years Ago
Sarcastic Tone Mocking Implicit Faith And New Converts