The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-24 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE. !Spain; for if the book were named in the Index it calla peas
---matim— throughout the kingdom. Not so, however, in India, acosedine to
Yes'cede, A Special General Court of Proprietors was held at ; the Notation of Mr. Adam. The wise Ring of Portugal Meted a
the Dot undo mime, pursuant to notice, Me the purpt se of re-. similar order—no matter what became of the governed ; the govern
si. pang' the further consideration of the state of the press in India. , non dotted as they thought proper. Kings Ferdinand and John
The minutes Of the forager l'ourt being read, only contacatat the objectionable books, but Mr. Adam, nut only
The Chairman stated, that this meeting was called at the request ! made a licence necessary to circulate books, but he rendered the
of nine proprietors. fur the purpose of considering the state tat the ' person SO circulating books liable to the summary sentence of two
ems, in India, and the banishment of the editors of the Calcutta imagistrates. In reality, he exceeded the bigurty of Ferdinand,
Noma/ • the ignorance of John, and the absurdity of the Pope. It was
. ;
puss.He M E reprieved his unfeigned regret, that so important a said, however, with reference to the natives of India, that they
weal as the press of India, whether well or ill conducted should were very ignorant; if that were the new, the sooner they were en-1
be meted as it had been at the former Coen. lie regretted that lightened the better: and what fitter agent to effect that object,
for information was so feeble supported, and that those than a free press ? It Ilt i• not, perhaps, well known, that news-,
the motion
gestleman in office bad refused to supply it. There must be some- , papers existed in India since we possessed it ; and at the mat of ,
thing rotten beneath, when information was refused. The Directors every chief there were news-writers from all those powers in amity
admitted that an act of force was committed, and why refuse in- ! with him, who coniniunicated to their employers all that passed. ,
formation as to the causes that lead to it ? Now, at least there was ; This fact deserved publicity, and with that view he mentioned it. i
no party feeling, no irritation existing as to this act, and why shim j In Calcutta there were no less than six newspapers published, in
a fair and lull investigation ? The English public revered the . the Vernacular tongue, each advocating as different views and '
public press as the great bulwark of their liberties, and that was , principles as our newspapers here. Did any evil result from that ?
;needed by the conduct of the authorities in India. The Directors' l'he very reverse. The people in India had become a reading
hen had the care of millions in Indic, and they were hound to see people, and the information thus obtained would make them vir.
that something like justice was done. With respect to the Meow-. mous and happy. Why then restrict the means of moral and in-
tof Mr. Buckingham, severe as it was, it was nothing to the tellectual improvement, through the instrumentality of a free
uestion of the freedom of the press in India. Had a Press? Vet 31r. Adam hail not only restricted publications, but
Gentleman who spoke at the last meeting been now pre. actually put down one, having for its object to my down the
eme he would have felt it his duty to notice his statement of the , practice of botning women in India, an object so des, to the free,
law, which was rather a nth-statement of it than any 'Meet 1 press of England. He was unwilling to go into detail, and he
else. However,: he would now demise that subject, with one , hoped the subject would be discussed from week to week, until
to sit within every information was received, relative to the condition of the
observable, which was, how came Mr. Impey
the her Plitt he (Mr. Hume) recollected, that the quo of Mr. pat* of India. Let it not be thought that the proprietors could
Jatilmeetet sitting within the bar, on a Mimes occasion, occupied no not meet fur this purpose—lire he assured them they could,
less than three days' discussion. Ile (Mr. Hume) of course ex- whether the Directors wished it or not. A adds number of
petted no answer at present to this r mark. Ile regretted that all Proprietors could ax a notice at the Royal Exchange, and
inquiry relative to the Indian community was denied, and that the I call a meeting—or else, they would loose their charter. The
people of England were kept in the dark upon that subject ; and , Honnurable Proprietor then proceeded to notice the mal.
whether Mr. Buckingham was banishc e or Mr. Arnott doomed to' administration of the laws in India, end eontended that the
destruction, were only threads to the clue which was now left them provisions of the 13th (ho. 111. aid 33d Geo. 111. were violated
to unravel. He did nut look to the Court of Directors merely as by Mr. Adam, in his conduct toward, Mr. Buckingham. In
chartered merchants, but as persons becoming; from traders, hove- j reality, the waole of Mr. Adam's conduct towards Mr. Bucking-
reigns—from looking to individual intern:a, to despotic , ham was muel and tyrannical in the extreme. Every man but the
Sovereigns rurienristuespvier millions of people. The state of India had Englishman could beard the Directors, and could remain in India,
altogether rimmed side Englishmen first went there, and Eng*, I unless by law he was obliged to leave it: and was a system like this
Lisboa there lad ass dinged. By the last charter, the bid not only to be justified, but to be contisued for all time to come ?
Geo. 111., the India Company was bound to provide for the ann. Mr. Adam should have recollected the state of the province of
fort sod happiness of the imilisn people, to promote their know- Katie, mainly influenced by the oppreations practiced en the
ledge, end Improve their sell rue habits. Such objects were, how- peopl, who were denied all chance of complaint. Had a free
VW% 110 t attended to, end leaking to the general feelings of man, i press existed there the cries of the people would have been heard,
he &mad the governed were always subject to the governors, and • and the Pro-Consul have been brought to justice. The object of
that men, unless checked, would always have an eye to their indi. the India Company should be to substitute light for darkness, and
ridual interest. On this store we had not done Aft( duty, and he intelligence for the ignorance which prevailed in Intha. The lion.
was sot;t to say, II ..t the refusal cf his lion. Friend's motion was , Proprietor then moved for the production of all papers andminutes
anoint humanity, and geed feeling, sail all nand policy. Our Bret , issued by the different Presidencies of Calcutta, Bombay, and
object should he, to have good governoient in India, and that never , Madras. relative to the regulation of the India Press.
could be, while the selfish IC:clings of than in power were unres- , Mr. R. JAC KSON wished to know what course the Court of Di-
trained. Whence that was the restraint to come from ? From 1 rectors here had taken relative to withdrawing the licence from
Eneiarel, boasting ins superiority, not because of this or that-mot • Mr. Buckingham ?
become of the Trial by Jury, or the House of Commons, fur with. I The CHATa MAN said, there was no objection; and the letter of
out the report of the proceedings there, there would be the greatest !the Company to the Governor of Bengal, approvitig their conduct
tyranny. Every day rift IS were making even in this country lin withdrawing the licence from 31r. Buckingham, was read.
against the freedom of the Press by those in power, and al i Mr. Helix begged to ask if that were the only letter on this
we had not a free Press to bring matters home to the , subject?
drop of every man, every specks of injustice would be The Ciretna me —The only letter.
committed. If this were the ease in Engle:id, what inuo it Mr. R. JACKSON said, that he yielded to no man in veneration
MR be in India, where poled was absolute, and where to talk of, fur the publi: press. but he thought the Court of Directors would
responsibility was quite wile. Where responsibility was widely di. i have neglected their duty if they had not acted as they had done
Tided it was almost nugatory . and if it were so in England, or in ; with respect to Mr. Buckingham. Ile knew nothing of Mr. Buck.
the various Gayer:intents of Europe., what must it not be is India? • ingham, and had not the least conception of his person until
The Pro-Consuls of Route never enjoyed such power as the Gower. I within a few minutes. From all he heard he believed him to be an
noes other denent provinces in India. The question then cement I satiable and respectable nun, but this bad little to do with the
this,shoald such a power becootinueel ? orcould it be, with safety to great question then before them fur consideretion. There sere
ourselves, or with happiness to the people of India ? He besought Indy arts of Parliament r.gvilating the terms in which persons
attention toa pamphlet addressed to an Hon. Bart. (Sir C. Forbes) 'rem allowed to reside in India, and all persons found there with-
tm if awn were to be convinced as to the value of a free press, out • lawful licence were deemed and held to be guilty of a high
he thoeght it would nenvince them. Ile said, if any man here op. crime and roiseierneanor. The course pursued towards Mr. Ilue.k.
posed a free press, let him say so; if no one wished to have a free Ingham was that which was authorised by those Ats of Parliament,
rem, then let the reasons against a free press in India be ex. and therefore undeserving the censure heaped on Mr. Adam. Up
potted. Every one seemed friendly to the diffusion of knowledge, to a certain time Mr. Buckingham's situation was different from
nod what way was there of doing it, equal to the agency of the that of Mr—emote, inasmuch as Mr. Arnott had no licence; but
press ? He e 'shed a gentleman were present, whom he should call in his case, it would be now unbecoming to do more titan mention
the Twenty-F.lth Director, because he (Mr. Hume) expected to be the distinction. If the strict law were relied on against Mr. Adam,
able coca:wince hint, that he took a narrow view of this great yore_ why not against Mr. Buckingham, who obviously changed his
tine The diffesion of religious knowledge was promoted by purpose from being a free mariner, and had become the Editor of
worst tendril:nen who opposed the freedom of the press in other the Culetinit Joveitol. The licence was not applied to the use for
]slam., Asir our religion could be propagated in India, without the which it was greeted ; and he had no hesitation in saying, that if
sew of a free press. In fact, let gentlemen talk as they might, he were in the Government of India at the time, be would not have
Ifelia one individual voted or acted against the good, the tom- entered into a correspondence with Mr. Buckingham, but judgene
fan, and the happiness of the people of India, he was answers- his conduct dangerous to India, would have directly ordered him to
Ms foe it to his Cud. This was no small question, take it in any England. (Hear, hear.) The Governor of Bengal had a right by
way they would. He found many. of the opponents of inquiry law to act as he had done ; and the next question was, was duo
bon were subscribers to Bible Sweetie* in India ; and he now right wisely exercised ? lie ( Mr. Jackson) thought it was most
tilled upon them to say, whether they were sincere or rot in their Jowly exercised. The law under which the Gowns' of Hempel
MA for the diffision of Christian knowledge? If they restricted acted, was, let it not be forgotten, the law of England I and that law
de freedom of the press, they could not be sincere ; such was his or those lawn under which Empire was consolidated and the people
id movie ion. It was add, there was no public in India; what, happy, ought not to be accused of harshness and severity, ceof an
as psblic! When was that discovery made? When loyal ad. unfitness to promote the well being of society. In October, 181 e,
theses and loyalty loans were got up ? When Bible Societies, Mr. Buckingham launched the Carlotta J.taertul, having pre-
ad School Societies, and different other societies were established ? v' noly brought up two other papers for the sum of teUtlel., and
1(0. to. But suppose there were not, *by put down a free prey if 31r. Buckinghamhad been guided by the regulations of the
keakutta, and .mt at Madras or Bombay ? \Could the gallant Marquis of Haannip, he might leave still remained in India. No'
area (SirJohu Italcoln) say there was nu public in India ? man thought more highly of Lord Hidings than he did, and he
Sir J. 51m.coest—An European public I said there raiStasi.— soot hoped that good humour would be restored at both sides,
tot Is /Say other way. and all unite in ittsanictlzt him that tribute of respect sod gni- I
Mt. noise.—Very well. he would take it an. But in reference , titude, to which Ms service, were amply entitled. W hat-
ho the conduct of Mr. Adam towards Mir. Buckingham, he did i was the conduct o 3lr. Buckingham upon the appointment
Oa view Mr. B. AS 3lr. Buckingham. but as tac champion id a free I ot3lr. Elliott to the Presidency of Benbay ? Why, he announced
rMr. Adam received ionic ephemeral astulatmil, unworthy that the account of such appointment was sent to his paper in •
who
those w pallatai it, and discreditable to him alto received it. letter with a black border. An act offensive in any place, and par-
a petty dealings meld not cover acts of PO tyrannous a nature titularly soon the occasion he had just alluded to, being in fact
sh theoepreatimed by .31r. Adam. Many in England i :re crushed characterised as a calamity. Mr. Buckingham would never have
by the reigning powers when no free press existed, now, scarcely given 3,000% for two newspapers if he were net previously informed
a ineividual could suffer improperly without i:s appearing boron: of the et:mistier. under which ;he press was to be guided. 31r.
the public. In India, within a press, there would be nothing but BuckinfCern professed his gratitude for the revised measure. of
tyranny ; anti there was nothing but tyranny there. He begged to Lord I goings, and promised to obey their spirit; but tbe promise
oak if all letters addrcirsed to the public press were not refused to be was not kept. And who could wonder, that after repeated offences
transmitted, unless the name of the writer were on the outside against those very regulations, he should have been sent out of den
sf the letter ? He mis Post-maAter for Eve years, and cm- country ? The Honourable Proprietor proceeded to quote severed
curly that
..practice never prevailed in his time. [A Proprietor nassages from the Cak.,lto .hoarse, with a view to 'hewthat3lr.
emceed, '• None but Akin! letters.") Suppose oily official let. Buckingham's conduct of that paper was intended to abuse the
ttepl he asked why should that }.rattier continue ? why public functiosaries—to censure public uneaseres, and alienate the
Id i uncontrulled power exist in India ? Every man in In-1 natives from the English Government in India. I'e regretted the
in was inertly on sufferance and at the will of others, and on what course pursued by the India Jam 8011, and all such papers, and he
poll le was a Ate press more necessary ?In England, if I lets sure the Gentlemen now within the liar also regretted that any
re is pima and authority went too far, they received a gentle of of their servants should have had any connection with it, or
one; a ;oldie that was impessible, because thew was no prem. I indeed with any newspaper. All through the discussion on
bso was that persons giving such hints were called trouble- I this business, 31r. Adam was personally spoken of,whereas
It'air. tad perhaps he litmeelf might be so considered ; but, Ihe acted in his public capacity, and with the unanititous
al tat setae time, he had the swills:Mon of saying, that opinions of the Honourable Men who composed the Council.
lie mole who called hum trouble:name diC not den that' and it was the they of this Court to afford 31e. Adam their brat
be tee useful. In India all were dependents ; and all Gm I, and strongest support. and at veer pronounce their decided opinion.
'ernes, whether popular or not, received votes of thanks' Ile ( 31r. Jackets-) had no objection to the discussion of the general
ire, t tame who firmed the pubec, acid yet Mr. Adam, to suit I question of the liberty of the press in India, either here or chic-
le lerpose, said there was no public In Bengal. But Mr. where, nor did Ice feel disinclined to see if the regulations now
Alta wee ineossistnit with hiniself-when he said, that in the canprevailing might not be altered, and perhaps enlarged. But while
'(lit. Backieghines banishment there WAS flo. public, and yet, I ttiest diecumions were going forward, time character of Mr. Adaui
auchr:t.receia sing a fulsomelndian
.addrese, eulogised. the independence mid should not be held up to unfeund:sl odium. The withdrawal of
the Indian public. He would rot look to the present day I Mr. Buckingham's breed was couched its the precise tertrs of the
teiLelow,
itethget„telsecnre
jw7was
would
anupthiice inwlnnodia,. butemanre.ference. to the 1 Act of Parliament : and lookieg to all the circumstances of the
dif;reat subjects and occasions,
llineewhteh her than 25 addresses on I case, be thought the conduct of the Governor in Council was not
existence of an Indian j only justifiable, but eminently necessary. A free prom could not
PrilO was denims% ted. dir. Adam admitted a was
when he • exist in India with any degree of safety to our empire. Once let'"
1 nine. Prised,
rem, but denied there wss a public when he was pursuing , it be allowed, and the people would have evades Register to read
urn. Ile (Mr. Hemel contended, that the natives •on Saturdely, and Carlik's blasphemy as religion on Sunday. The
II( 1et214 were men of talent and industr and if unshackled from ; people of ;dui' had already the perusal of every work which could
kr"fre,
_i'dr.i.lloll,l.,l
_he,
_equal to airy otherl people. Well, but a I polrsh or refine the human mind : they had the Spectator, the
(14,,,Fty-l'he
enetteitettet; yule anti dist an evil result from it ? De- 1 Taller, the works of Pope All4l Addison, and the almost immortal
inns they would ribel.M, but it was said, Kral enhgliten the In- writings of Sir \Cue Jond If politica could be safely introduced
in ~_ Le _ _
ea _ Indeed ! did people rebel fur fon? W'heo, ,he would not object to it; but politics were unsuited to the habits
rio;;TemetZlecil
In no
could it be shown !het a well-governed ! and manners--aye, and to the best interests of the people of India.
0 was rise aid thateoth place,
he
w:s
fully
prepared to prove. But 1 The Han. Proprietor concluded by moving, as an amertiment,
e natives were as 20 to 1, and would rise' " That the Court of Proprietors approve the conduct exercised by
and cot the i
be des, .d: . ;coats of Europeans, if they were enlightened : I the Governer in Council, in withdrawing the licence which had
ti,:o3.eih. it. In I.:_tashe of
.the States of Americo. in Virginia par.: been granted to Mr. Buckingham, the editor of the Caked&
t..ittic .":__•_7 w.eir al the proportion of 70 to I freeman, and Jahroa.
Oft,, f...,
.777, tr‘a him 34 esotospens published in that State!l Mr. S. Dreox seconded the Amendment.
see it.t4,ly Zve...,,.'" , nott:le Government need have uo fear; a well I Air Beeet u (MAX observed, that the people of India were go-
bat reqq. Irixz.r. people had no cause for resistance, and would , veined by law, and not ruled by a despotism as bad often been er-
antines„ thtio European
at Directors have made different castes even , rotwously imagined, It was contended by the Learned Gentleman
el.m.ilsel serrgzinuents cf !Lira rneirmnelants.yanpodlitsoe
tofarthdeislimiitiigour.y that
oceres rho
ij
etieutiely. Jseetuacks.tot:)..
fit the obtajtecbtuutftfeeneutailtd's
Poheeillythhade ease, itcit wela•
ty . oe.
that , _ esou as they thought proter, almost without con- I a most erroneous policy. In his t 3lr. Buckingham'
s) opinion, the
lie io.-,.,. ~rie nlasma the individuals, it was the system which ' aceeseimion of strangers, of Englishmen, in India, would prove
'ear, 'o' honed
his
herb to
/ens. are. The eysten mak the men, sad no , one of the strongest barriers ageing the revolt or the rebellion of
Gerd to o,w aietemtee"ettled authority, or if •he hal he would be the Native Powers. The ts3d of the King was next relied on, but
Pytt, as evil, Irby drinPhtertY• If Mr. Adam mill' thmtght.a free' the powers it conferred on the Oovernus-General were by no
flemietora ~r which obt put down the Defies' Ju4ii Rai!, tie means unconditional ; and the " countenance and protection" '
ore "ice _
_.e. e Wren in public situations. directing all; which :. enjoined to be sheen, merely meant a reciprocal ester-
tee, or 317. tie, !tenon private character, particularly to the cha- ' change of obedience and protection. Neat, with regard ten the re-
leeenge,n3
wentissued
tout as a free mariner, and under talo also (hey or regulations 'Weer had or coed have the force o( law, until
vie, t;. i'hejta
air a
ire/eland. the editor of thc J tile 4 lie/I,
was not the fact in this ease. The licence of free mariner had been
deteek Stjol.t.o"t—A roan who goes nut as a free mariner and acts much misunderstood, for as he (31r. Buckingham) considered,
Mr. 'lent...li under false pretence's. the licence granted a special power to do • epecilic thing, but not
hL. by true, many men are not what they Mein restricting him from doing something else. If th. t were not the
meaning of the licence, very few persons, except the militwy, but
io,h3ltl-4,..S.,.firioN—llat 31r. Butkirgham also received mary ad- were at the mercy of the Govetoontienend. The Loomed Geo-
denten had dilated on the lumpiness of the people of India ; but it'
'ff- 3:t it'. I.!! _• PI„.P.-.-: if Mr.
I i but I always look to See jr they apply. they were so very happy, why stop their mouths, amt prevent their
peee01:,.;04,, Id. Ir. Med acted towards 'Mr. Buckingham on proclaiming it to the world I. It was needless to say a word on
ei fir' ham he edged the tele ration of the ..fatin Boll) In 20 that subject, am every man who was ever in India must know the ,
eiremeiel e ent • Papers, selecreu es thew conteining the mom very reverse. Now, Ls ifl the affairof 31r. Elliott, perhaps it was ii- ,
is'.':,;l..e,". not a singes paper afforded ground ter a discreet in him (Mr. Buckineham) to have stated thereceipt of a
et. j,i.„ „.,".,: 2n: witil, in the ease of Mr. Buckingham against ktter as to Mr. Elliottthat statement otiginiced in indis.
e -id, rnt',*.,4o,J,:dge sleenaghten pronounced an opinion, Met he detion—a failing often to be found in men of his protession. which
ttbstely an %Pe Mad* trithoot horror 1 and yet lie. Adam would, he war sure, be admitted by nianv gentlemen behind the
toniei w, i_ ~,eer the continuance of such a paper, while he bar, who had been for a great portion of throe lives at sea. 31e.
'oo
__aexoetual (nen the shores of India, whom the breath of Buckingham then entered into a detailed explanation relative to
t i.,.,l7_7.,_Mamcalr (mold not touch. 31r. Adam only supported the Letter of Emilia, noticed at the last meetieg of this Court ;
s„,..eet'oni. tot. VI that co:cello; corm:lion, and shielded the the better of an Old Soldier, and that relative to theatrical
it ennee „henTerf ahtheriiy. Ever one knew there was 4 Pope libel on the Bishop of Calcutta. With reference to thedistribution
Is 1,, b.. ' ••,, s,rincil to grown his subjects in the Mate spirit of the Julia lit.th's prospectus, he did charge the Goyerement with
t 'Nest tissa•".,..'t7 here re em in India ; not but lee (Air. Hume) having in every utanner circulated it, and dm post-free. Ileeharged
rI.- - '*Penne ofe more of the acts a h!, orolinew of I the Government with gg directions to hove the nand of all
~,`1,1•,.=,,,,,..f the Pope in this Court as applicable to India. The p‘rsans writing letters to the press marked with the writer's name,
I:, ditta_tt
..nt loter candeinned time translation of the Bible into sad the fact WWI beyond all cuntrautimion. The letter in which the
tee, 7„..,!.?...ite...... terdie.g to corium it ; but in reality, ths name of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta was inooduced, had been
tote:et!, ~t! an to prevent the diffusion of knowledge. It called indecent. but he Buckingham) defied any man to say
tip r,,,,ii ~,"c "wee in India ; the object, the spirit, and the Pete. • there was thing offensive said of ho. Lordship. Them might be
.0 the
.t,....e nine; but f I his part lie con al never be in &Hence '
that
persons, applynion of whose Illaltel would be offensive, but
'teed de jib 7 the ether t the more e, when their object Was to i that could nut u the hoed Bishop of Calcutta. The patience
fr"11el es ' . 'l7 "I' ti'e rest. But the league Mahal' freedom of the tiovernmsin in reading his long letters had been dwelt on by
it: 7. yeeio;;;lentlesetieenive.. and it happened curioudy enough. • the Learned Gentleman. but if the (livered:at chose to put the
s tee! ..,.. eon prohibited the circulrion of all books not matter between him and them on the routine of fCasoll, then
et• •:e. Thc d.:l;:rcr.ce, Iton era, WAS is favour of patience was tot so tore remarkable. Al'itli respect to the diet!.