Your Highness has informed Us that Jews, Samaritans, Montan-ists, and other men deserving of contempt, for whom the light of the immaculate faith has never shone, who remain in darkness and have never experienced in their minds the benefit of the true sacraments, are included among decurions; and because We hold heretics in horror, they think, for this reason, that they are exempt from curial obligations, and refuse to perform the duties incumbent upon them. We, however, are surprised that one of your wisdom and shrewdness should have accepted their excuses, and did not at once hasten to punish them, for if certain individuals think that, because of some extreme absurdity, they are entitled to the enjoyment of certain privileges which We have reserved only for persons of the highest distinction, who is there among Our subjects who will not hereafter manifest extreme insolence and folly? Wherefore, let such men continue to perform curial as well as official duties, as was formerly decreed, whether they complain or not; and no religion or civil condition shall render them exempt (for nothing is mentioned on this point in either the ancient or modern law), but they shall not enjoy the honor attaching to the office of decurion, or the privileges granted to persons of this kind, for instance, freedom from corporeal punishment, exemption from removal to other provinces, and numerous others. But where anything is stated with reference to decurions which does not confer any privilege, it shall also apply to these, and they shall be liable to personal and pecuniary charges, and no law shall exempt them therefrom; they shall enjoy no honors, but must remain in the baseness of their condition to which they are devoted. These are the provisions which We have enacted on this subject.

  You have also mentioned another matter which is worthy of inquiry. We have forbidden heretics to testify whenever orthodox persons are engaged in litigation with one another, and We have permitted them by Our Constitution, whenever they have any legal controversies with one another, or either the plaintiff or the defendant is an heretic, he can testify, because they are litigants; and they can give testimony for an orthodox person against a heretic, but not against one who is orthodox; and, in conclusion, We have prescribed that the evidence of such persons is not admissible when orthodox believers are engaged in legal disputes with one another. You have stated to Us that when orthodox persons desire to be released from curial obligations, the testimony of their relatives and others familiar with their condition may be received. As the law rejects the evidence of heretics when offered against orthodox Christians, the judges hesitate to permit it under such circumstances. We, however, think that this apprehension is unfounded, for as such persons are permitted to testify in behalf of orthodox believers (for the law does not forbid them to do this), then, where decurions desire to be released from their public obligations, and call heretics to testify in their behalf, why should not this be permitted? In this instance the orthodox government which God has especially entrusted to Our administration is one of the litigants, those, however, who give evidence for the government, in reality testify for orthodox persons. Our conclusion is just, it is consistent with the orthodox faith, and is based upon the hatred which We entertain for all heresies.

  As soon as Your Highness is informed of Our wishes, being aware of what is beneficial to Our government, and, above all, remembering that We have been careful to prescribe by the present constitution what is advantageous to the public welfare, will see that it is observed.