The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-19 00:00:00

E .-IS7' !NM .4 !lOUS E.

realerday a Quarterlr General Court of Proprietors of Eatit
India Stock was held at the Company's House, Leadenhall-street,
being made special foe the purpme of taking into consideration
thetol,lowing iiropositlona., in pursuance of a reiptialtidn to that
effect r--

•• Tlyst there be laid before this Court Copies of all Correspond:
enee between the Court of Directors :Intl Mr. J. S. Buckingham.
late Pro Victim of the rafeetto .I.nteiea4 respecting his claims for
reparation of the ifijury sustained by 'aim in his property in Cal-
cutta, in consequence oldie mesenres of the ulengal Goveniment.
" Also, Copies of all Proceedings of tliinal Government
referred to hi the Correspondence beforenante,.."
The Court was rendered further !special to take into consideration
the following proposition
" That this Court considering the great onportance of a know.
ledge of the Ilindostannee Language to European (Ohms deetined
to act with and to continent, the Native Troopi its loth., recom.
mend to the Court of Directors to take into their immediate consi.
deration the propriety of makinis regulations that no Cadet shall
henceforth he permitted to proceed to India, unless hi shall, upon
examination, be found sufficiently grounded In the rudiment, of
the llindostannee Language."
MR. J. S. BUCK ING (IA M.
At twelve o'clock the Chair was taken by C. Mittaontnaates;
Esq., when
The lion. D. KIN WATRD mae for the purpose of calling the at-
tention of the Court to the subject of the first proposition for the
consideration of which Ilonourable Proprietors were assembled,
pursuant to the requisition signed by himself and his Honourable
Friend (Mr. Hume). and addressed to their Chairman. Ile felt
anxious to state, not merely the general effect of his proposition,
but its particular tendency : so that in tact he was not leas desirous
to mention what was not contemplated by it than what was cont.
prehended within the object he had in view. First, then, as to the
negative portion of his intention. He did not WWI to impeach
the Government of India. It was alike his intention, and should
be his endeavour, in the course of this discussion, to consider the
question immediately at issue in a light as separate as possible
from the subject of Indian effigies generally. Neither was it his
purpose to examine whether or nut the conduct of Mr. Bucking-
ham hail been the wisest and most prudent that was possible. It'
was enough to say that that individual had suffered some very severe
injuries, to an accurate description of which he meant to confine
himself, leaving out of conskteration all foreign and extraneous
matters. However, this he was prepared fully to maintain, that
Mr. Ruckinglram had not been guilty of any immoral or dange-
rous proceeding which called for, or could justify, his banishment
from India. Conceding that the Bengal Government had acted in
strict conformity with the letter of the law, he asked did not Mr.
Buckingham's misfortune's far surpass any circumstances that
might be supported capable of provoking them, and had not all
this happened without any fault of his own ? That individual
having now outlived and conquered the calumnies once so nettle-
veringly brought against him, lie was entitled to their most patient
and favourable consideration. It was not difficult to account fir
the unfavourable impression excited against Mr. B. iii Intlin. The
fact was, that gentleman in the course of his travels in the E-st
had had the misfortune—such it might justly be called—to inert
with Mr. Bankes the younger, who was at that time engaged in si-
milar pursuits. Mr. Buckingham at the time intended to publish
the fruits of his researches, and made his preparation* accordingly.
Afterwards lie arrived in India. where he adopted for a time tittle-
rent views and occupations. However, finally, with the advice of
his friends, he came to the determination of publishing an account
of his travels, and was of some thousands for the copyright.
About this time a letter was received in England by Mr. Hob.
house. from Mr. Bankee, who remained still abroad. In that let.
ter Mr. Buckingham was accused as a literary thief, and repre-
sented as a person of the worst character—one who in fact pos-
sessed no right in the MSS. lie was endeavouring to palm upon the
public as his own, but the chief materials of which lie had pur-
loined in the most dishonourable and faithless manner limn his fel.
low traveller Mr. Barites'. Such were the representations coil.
tamed in the letter of Mr. Bankes, which finally found its way into
the hands of a most respectable publisher (Mr. .Murray). The
effect of such a charge might be well and readily imagined. The
bookseller refused, and naturally refused, to have any thing to do
with Ala Buckingham or his book. The injury did not stop here :
an article appeared in the Quarterly Review, accusing JI r. Bur king_
ham of a breach of confidence of almost unparralleled atrocity, mot
describing him in fact as a man of the eery worst moral chat act er. I in-
potations were in this way cast upon Mr. Buckingham, which, altho'
at the time of the most shameful and tinthunded nature, nothing
but years could enable him tisnvercome. It was under such cir-
cumstancee. having retired to India, that lie undertook the manage.
ment of a newspaper—an undertaking, as they ell knew, of the
most arduous and important nature. Within the space of tour
yearn front the period of the commencement of his connexion with
it, Mr. Buckingham raised his journal to a high rank, and made it
worth ONO/. a year. clear of all expenses. Fur the purpose of
effecting this, he haul invested not less than 20,0001. in it, in the
shape of type, building, machinery, &c. So highly was this news-
' paper estimated, that one-fourtit share was disposed of and divided
among a number of private gentlemen, for a aunt of 10.00 W. This
paper having succeeded, Mr. Buckingham wag placed in a situation
to vindicate his character, and, exclusive of the attack made on him
by Mr. Bankes, he begged to state he had it from the best authu-
rity that no imputations had been cast upon Mr. Buckingham's
character in India. Rival editors and newspaper proprietors indeed
might have cast out such imputations; and the Government at
Bengal might consider hint a literary swindler. In this country it
was otherwise: two successive verdicts of a jury of his country re-
futed hilly the calumnies of Mr. Bankes, and left his opponent free
' from all blame. In the actions Jlr. Buckingham had brought to
vindicate his character, he did not seek for pecuniary compensation,
and accordingly the damages were nominal. Ile (Mr. Kinnaird)
alluded toactions brought against the publisher of the Quarterly
and the elder Mr. Welke's. Mr. Murray, the proprietor of
the Review, was anxious to repair, as tar as he could, the injury in-
flicted on Mr. Buckingham. These proceedings might account for
thefeelings entertained against this persecuted individual by thellen-
gal Government. In India the advertisementof Mr. B.'s 2d vol. of
Traveled, was at first refused admission in the public journals, and
afterwards mutilated, lest it should offend the Government. Under
these circumstances Mr. Buckingham was considered a literary
rogue—a black sheep—and no doubt the same opinion was enter-
tained concerning him there to the present moment. For a sup.
posed political offence lie was sent °mot' the country. He would
never stand up to defend the conduct of a man of bad character, or
screen him from the public odium lie deserved ; but Mr. Buck.
Ingham was upt an individual of that kind. Ile wax ready to ac-
quit Mr. Bankes and Mr. Murray of all intention to injure the
character of Alt. Buckingham maliciously; and had no objection
to include the Bengal Government in the same charitable opinion.
All he meant to say was, unfounded accusations were brought
against Mr. Buckingham—he was sent out of the country—his
property destroyed and great injury thereby inflicted on him. Was
it unreasonable to demand compensation for it ? When Mr.
Buckingham left India, an editor was left to superintend his pro-
perty and that of the other proprietors in that country. This
individual wrote sotnething displeasing to the Government, and his
license was suspended. Here was a positive loss and injury to Mr.
Buckingham. It wan even determined that no license should be
granted to the newspaper while the property remained in the hands
of the existing proprietor. At this time Mr. Buckingham was
several thotiennil miles distant. and he was thus needlessly injured :
for what did it matter to the Bengal Government who was pro-
prietor when the editor was changed, he becoming the responsible
person ? It was, in fart, determined that no paper in which Mr,
Buckingham was concerned stiould be tolerated. It was then
attempted to dispose of the newspaper at a very great loss, and
under the most unfavourable circumstances. Such a condition of
things could not be but immensely prejudicial to the interests of
Mr. Buckingham and the remaining proprietors. Accordingly it
proved so. and a competent judge decided, that the journal had sunk
to value en that it was worth little more than the price of its type
and other printing apparatus. It was determined by the Government
that a license should never be granted so long as Mr. Bucking.
ham continued a proprietor. A new editor (Dr. .Musten) was pro-
posed, and approved by the Government ; but they would not grant
a license, lest by probability at come future petimEllr. Buckingham
should regain his former influence over the journal. By this
means the property was, in fact, annihilated, and 20,0001. worth
of property tendered not worth 241,001.1 pence. A long correspon-
three and considerable negotiation took place upon die subject. 1,
Offers were made for the purchase of the journal, which were
defeated by the impossibility of obtaining a license, as no man
Could be found hardy enough to vest property in types which lie
was not to be permitted to use. This wretched property was thus
cast about and deteriorated. It was next suggested to change the
tame of the paper, and exclude Mr. Buckingham from all
Interference whit his own property. The conduct pursued
towards this unhappy man could only be characterised as an
attempt to hunt him down and destroy his properly. Such a pro.
reeding would not be tolerated in England, which happily was not
under the influence of n despotic government, as India appeared to
be. It was proposed to lease the property, for twelve months. to an
individual against whom no exception could be taken, but tide, too,
was considered impracticable, and Mistily abandoned. What more
multi the Government ut Bengal do trim' this ? It might next re.
loge to permit Mr. Buckingham to let his house. Indeed it was
Kttle short of it. Lord Amherst was desirous of having the name
of the newspaper altered. It was proaosed to call it the Hrihiab
Linn, and lease it for a twelvemonth. However, the proposition
was rejected, under the pretence that the proposal was of too tem-
porary a nature. rind that Mr. Buckingham inieht at the end of
that time resume his autliniity over the paper. This waS a pre-
cious reason indeed ! Could not the Governifienf ranee or distion-
!Mile their license when that interference took place ? What in.
Jury could Truitt from the inteftnesliatc arrangement? The reason
alleged for rejecting it was, that the arrangement was of too tent-
orary n nature. Permission was at length given to publish a
Journal to be called the gettleman in the Eagf. IVhat could hare
the ground of this persecution if it was not intended to ruin
Ale. Buckingham, and strike terror into every one disposed to
Erention his name or follow his maniple ? Mr. Bucklngliare was
legally entitled to dispose of his property in the journal, 111111 had
be borrowed 10,11001. on the faith of it in this country, he would
have been quite justified. Ile (Mr. Kinnaird) thought no Go-
ternment would ever pursue such a conrse again, anti he hoped not.
Itlr. Buckingham was ruined by this proce&ling, and ere the Court
met again, might, coins" be within the walls of n prison. in con.
sequence of his sufferings and loss of property. He (Mr. Kin.
Mid) knew this individual to be a man of high honour and priori.
pie, a credit to the press, and of most unimpeachable character.
The Court would do itself credit by rompenaatieg him fur his
losses, and voting liiin n grant of 4,0001. for that purpose. It
would become the East India Company to adopt such a measure.
Mr. Artiott received compensation, net tot pecuniary loss, but to

consequence of *offering% of a different description ; lent Mt. Reek.
iagfinin parresseti a still higher claim tipcm their emidermion. lie
mattered a positive Imes hi money, and it winld be more creditable
to the Company to compensate bins than seed him to tide public for
a sobscriotion its effect that purpose. Tbe lion. Proprietor trusted
his appeal to the humanity of the Lireetois and Propel-tom *mild
!melee in vain. end conclutted.by proving' nc totem/dot retledution :
" That theme be laid Itefor,. ►this Saari unidee of all correseenigence,
between the Court of Director, and Mr. :1. S. Buckingham, late
proprietor of the Cali:gala Jidirlitil, respecting his elaihn forgeps.
ration or the injury austeined by him in his property in Calcutta,
in consequence O. the museum, of the dental Government. ,
" Aso co lie of all proceeding,' of the Bengal Government re-
feered td in the correspondence before named."
The 'motion having been Seconded,
Mr. Pot eltek it expo:lnn( himself deeinis (44n:big . g
a,few oi.
nervations on the motion of the lion Getm the enten ; in I, 14
would
not trespais long on the auention of the Court: 0 r. (luck.
inghatn ieturrett the ecnsure of the Indian Goveropteh by,very
i
unwarrantable and re.terated smacks on ite proceeding:S. and 'hie
WWI the conduct un which the Bengal Government plaeediti finger.
Mr. Buckingham, to quote the worth, of the judicious Hooker,
" went abode to persuade the people that they were not so well go-
verned its they ought to be." It was imposeibie for the govern.
ment oT India, tidy of England Itielf, to permit the continuance of
such conduct. Charles II told his brother, when I'6/harried Lord
ClarendSn's daughter, that " he must drink as he brewed," and
lie (Mr. Poynder) begged leave to repeat to Mr. Buckingham. that
he ton " moat drink as he brewed." Mr. Buckingham might be
the first of Chrietiena and the best of men, but his conduit towards
the Government of India was such as could not he tolerated. The
comma Uenleen Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Bsnkes was not the
question before the Court, therefore he should flea advert to that
portion of the Hon. Menther'e speech. Ai to the argvaentum ad
miseretordiant with which the Hon. Member Concliided, it was
mailer fur the public. no: the Caen ; ahel be. its one of the public,
did no: think this an occasion for putting his hand is his pocket it:
the way suggested. They were not, nice to examine the conduct of
Mr. Buckinglieto oka men—it might have been, and he believed it
was,highly honourable. but it was to reflect on his conduct as a po-
litician ; that he (Mr. P.) thought bighly censurable, and such as
entirely juetilied the condect of the lietapel (iovernmem towards
him, and et:eluded hint from any reesonable claim un the Company
for compensation.
A Pa OPRIET OR said he considered the individiml in question
as a hardly.used man. The question appeared to bee was Me.
Buckingham to be persecuted ad nCerPrl, sent out of the country like
a felon, his property ruined, his hem in life blasted, and all this
without adequate reason for it, or compensation or apoip,ty on the
part of his prosecutor% ? lied such injuries been intik rd on this
übfortunate man by the representatives of that Court in lila ? If
so sonic compensation ought to be made. Supposing r. Buck-
ingham to have done wrong, wee he therefore to be destroyetl?
Even had he been in the wrong he was ptinished more than suit'.
ciently ; and it now became the Court to combine rlerey with
justice, and vindicate their own character for Hun:an:ten I•y cm •
petinving him in proportion to the it iuries lie had sustained.
Mr SAMUEL D 1 XON thought that the protnoiers of the present
proceeding were not serving Mr. Buckingham by the demand they
made for papers and document*. If, us the Hon. Mover told them,
.Mr. Buckingham stood in such imminent peril of being imrhured
within the walls of a prison, then their demand for doctimente was
not calculaied to bring their object to a favourable or %Fleetly issue.
He thought Mr. Buckingham lead much of his misfortunes, how-
ever great they -were, to blame himself for. Repeatedly he had
been warned of the dangerous nature of his conduct, but he lied
persisted and paid no attention to the warnings. His proceedings
were such as endangered the safety of the British empire in India,
and it therefore because necessary to check it. Under those circum-
stances he would recommend Mr. Buckingham to make an humble
and respectful representation of his lows to the Court. which. i
could scarcely be doubted. would take it into its favourable consi-
iteration, arid act it humanity and justtice should elictite.
Sir C. Fon ens was of bpinion that if the Court thought Mr.
Buckingham Oh-mid act as was suggested by the list sneaker,
it was not too late to adopt the recummendatior. Fur his part
he approved of the suggestion; and if it should appear teat the
feelings of lion. Proprietors were in its favour, he would pro-
ps* such a course, by way of amendmeut to the resolution theta
before tire Court. fie did not stand there to vindicate the &e-
-recter or conduct of Mr. Buckingham : the first was irre-
inwanhable, and needed no defence. The letter 'sight have been
occasionally rash or imprudent, but surely It never went the
length of endangering the security of India. (Hear.) Supposing
his political conduct to have beenmistaken, was his property to
be =titillated, and himself treated like a felon? lie thought
not. lie did not object to the circumstaree of Mr. Buckinghatn's
trinsportation from India, so much as to the utter destruction
of his property. The Stipterne Government possessed the right of
sending out of the country such persons at they thought fit.
Having exerciser} that authority over Mr. Buckingham, they
should have stopped. (Hear.) What he now called upon the
Court to do*" to award an edeqUaie cOmpensiniOn to (hie in-
jured individual, and prevent his wife and family from being
tented into the street, fie (Sir C. Forbes) relied upon the Loud-
ness of heart of the Hon. ('huirtnan and the Court, as sutti-
sient to etimulete them to adopt the measure suggented by the
lion. Gentleman who had proposed the resolution Omar): mot
afford Mr. Buckingham pecuniary relief, in proportion to his
great salt:rings and trentendette loss. The Hon. hart, conclueed
by prieposing that a *um of 5,00 f/. be voted to Mr. Btickitighain. In
consideration of his great pecuniary losses, resulting from blade-
ponation hotu India, and the measures adopted by the Bengal
Government.
Colonel Si Set port: said, he wished to advert to the character of
SOW of the shateholders of the Caknetri Juurnal : one of tnerie
was Mr. John Palmer, son of General Palmer. whose infleehee in
India had been so considerable during the administration of War-
ren !Doting,. No person, not excepting Lord Amherst. or the
twenty-four Directors behind the bar, knew more of India than
proprietor (Mr. Palmer). With respect to the character of Mr.
Buckingham himself, nothing could he higher. Ile sooke from
persona(( experience when Ito called him a kind father, all exem-
plary husband, an excellent citizen. and a good mau. So moth of
the proprietors and conductor of the Calcutta Jocund. What had
been the proceedings adopted towards the hatter ? In consequence
of Mr. Buckingham's animadverting on the conduct Of Dr. Bryce.
be was sent out of India, and Mr. Arnott shared a similar fate.
The editor next appointed was displaced for publishing a painph.
let written by hint (Colonel Stanhope). What was next done ?
The license was taken away. The consequence was, that the pro-
petty which cost Mr. Buckingham twenty thoesand pounds, and a
fourth of which was sold by him to his brother proprietors for ten
thousand pounds, only produced that persecuted individual one
thousand five hundred guineas. In addition to this Mr. flocking.
leant was called upon for five thousand pounds incurred as expenses
ill consequence of his absence. A more disgracelul proceeding had
seem beeti perpetrated than the banishment and persecuting of
Mr. Buckingham. Coder thotte circumstimeee he treated the
Coon of Director, would semunerate Mr. Buckingham ter hie
losses, and prevent the necessity of his appealing to the liberality
and justice of the British Parliament fur redress.
Mr. R. JACKSON was desirous that every practicable degree of
liberty should ha seethed toile preen in India. lie was sorry to
°keens the degree of asperity with which the Honourable Mover
had prefaced his Resolution. It was unjust to impeach the con-
duct of Lord Amherst. who was not present tai defend himself'. It
had been said the Governor-General refused to grant a license to
any paper, the property of which remained in Mr. Buckingham.
That was not the fact. Lord Amherst only desired to present 31r.
Buckingham's interference with, or influence over the press itt
India. It cppeared from the correspondence quoted by the Hc.
nourable Mover thet Lord Amherst was willing to license the
journal in question On .Me. Buckingham's relinquishing all right of
interfering in it, conduction. 'flits was the Govenor.General's ob-
ject fruits the timt, and it was nut his intention to injure .31(.
Buckingham's property by the proceedings he thought 'memory
to adopt. The observations made upon Lord Amherst were en-
tirely unfair. That which was imputed to him was incorrect, and
Iris Lordship's own words and actions gave the best contradiction te
the charge. With respect to the motion of the Honourable Mem-
ber (.)lr. D. Kinnaird) for the production of the correspondence,
lie could not but oppose it. That correspondence had been already
investigated and determined upon by the Directors. It was
generally admitted that the Government of India was right in its
treatment of Mr. Buckingham. A solemn din:notion anti decision
in a hill Court had been come to upon the subjeet, and he could
not consent to a re-hearing. The decision of the Court un that oc-
casion was nearly unanimous and ought to be final. With respect
to the synspathetic appeal Made to their feelings, he (Mr. li.
Jackson) would be Most anxious to give that sill-diet the best anti
most coesiderate examination. But he thought the motion for the'
production of the documents in question not a course likely to
further the end in view. Me did nut feel any ttle;ection to the pre.
auction of the documents written subsequent to Mr. Beeeingliam's
departure from India; but could not concur in the propriety of
furnishing those previous to that period. . In common with every
admirer of tetent, lie respected the character of Mr. Buckingham ;
and would therefore suggest the propriety of originating a recom-
mendation to the Directors, that they would take the cireitinstatmes
of Mr. Buckingham into their consideration, and adopt such
measures as they might think fit, certuio of receiving the co-opera-
I titan of that Court In every humane and favourable view they
might be pleated to take of the subject.
r. Helot asked whether it was the desire of the Court that
1 Mr. Buckingham, in addition to banishment from India, should
suffer the complete confiscation of hisentire property ? Ile agreed
with his Honourable Friend (Mr. D. Kinnainl) that circumstances
, of a peculiar nature had created an unfavourable impression again,:
Mr. Buckingham in India. It had taken the lablie of seven or '
eight years to retnove those impressions. Roweeer, this was ex.
traneous matter ; the question was all to the amount of his loss.
On his departure front India his share of the ertirntra Journal
was valued at 30,0001., and could have been said for 2(1,000/. under
all the disadvantages of the time and occasion. Its estimated an-
nual profit was 8,000/., and a fourth share was sold fur 10,001.1/. to
the other hundred proprietors. The regulations drawn up by Mr.
Buckingham, at the time of his departure from India. for the fu.
' tune conduct of his journal, were most temperate and iudicious.
This was at a time when some degree of initstion might have been
expected to result trans his recent persecution. Bat no such thing
wits apparent its those regulations, which, ao the contrary, were
singularly moderate and judicious. All he (Mr. Ilwom wished i
for was, that the Court would take into its conaideration Mr.
Buekinghanee losses and all the circumstances of tile case, Irmo.
view to a reasonable compensation for those losses. It was not }its •
desire that any &eminent% or correspondence oilier than that which
had paused subsequent to Mr. Buckingham's departure from India e
should be now produced. In that point he fully (weaned iit the
propriety of the suggestion of his flononrabS Friend (Mr. B.
Jackson. lie also was ready to agree to the erorosition to submit
the matter :e !ig decis..ie e the il%ztor!. but Lt thought it weitiel