122 FRANCE, ANN AM, AND CHINA. 



islands, and to grant full and entire liberty of commerce to France, 

 to the exclusion of foreigners. 



The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, which cost 

 Louis XVI. his life, and overthrew the Bourbon dynasty, delayed 

 the carrying out of this project ; but the French missionary, Pigneau, 

 persevered, and succeeded in enrolling many French officers, amongst 

 whom appear the names of Chaigneau; OUivier, Dayot, and Vannier, 

 as well as many hundreds of volunteers of different nationalities. 



These officers equipped and disciplined an army, and organised 

 an artillery force in Annam, and the following year, 1790, they over- 

 threw the Government of Tayson frlres, and replaced on the throne 

 the heir of the deposed Nguyfen dynasty, under the name of Gia-Loung. 



This King, Gia-Loung, having defeated his rivals, and recovered 

 the whole of the ancient kingdom of Annam, reigned with prudence 

 and sagacity until 1820. 



During Gia-Loung's reign it is asserted that he was tolerant 

 towards the missionaries of France, and that he faithfully carried 

 out the Treaty he had signed with Louis XVI. in 1787. 



But his successor Mina-Mang was intolerant, the missionaries 

 met with great obstacles, many of them were put to death, and 

 finally, in 1838, an edict was issued, declaring that the adoption 

 of Christianity by any of the subjects of Annam would be con- 

 sidered a crime of high treason. 



In vain France endeavoured, for many years, to obtain repara- 

 tion,, and to secure, what is called, liberty of conscience. In 

 1847 Tu-Duc ascended the Throne, and at first he showed 

 benevolent intentions, but this did not last long, for in 1848, '51, 

 and '54 he published three edicts, respectively decreeing the pain 

 of death against the missionaries of France, and against the 

 Annamites who refused to abjure Christianity. 



This it was that, in 1858, under the pretext of protecting 

 the French Christian missionaries, but in reality to extend the 

 influence, the power and territory of France in the East, induced 

 the late Emperor of the French, Napoleon III., to send a Military ex- 

 pedition to Cochin-China, to enforce his Imperial authority, and to 

 defend and extend the honour and prestige of the French arms. 



The expedition was successful. In September, 1858, the forti- 

 fications of Tourane were carried by assault, and in February of 

 the following year, Saignon and its citadel yielded submission to 

 the conquerors. 



