The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-09-04 00:00:00

THE BRITI SH PRES S.

LONDON,
FRIDAY. SEPTUM'S 4. ISIS.

The Morning Post of yesterday, alluding to the '
intelligence given exclusively in THE BRITISH
PRESS of Wednesday. reepeoing the practices of
the Dutch in the Italian Archipelago, says, " Re-
ports ate circulated relative to the musket of the
Dutch Authorities in the East (tuba Settlements,
whirls we trn•t will prove hi he exaggeration.;"
and after statiog these alleged exaggerations. the
writer concludes, " The intelligence we have lately
received on this subject, is of a tintisre moist disad-
vantageous to the cli.irneter of the Dutch Autho-
rities in these parts ; but we here reason to believe
that instructions have been sent by the Govern-
ment of the Netherlauds whirls are calculated to put
a atop to there abuses." We should he very glad
to be informed of the resorts in circulation, to which
the writer alludes. We know nothing on the Pals-
ject but the matter detailed in our Paper of Wed-
nesday, and that not as reports, but as positive and
direct information. Did the writer in The Morn-
ing Post know of any other, his duty to the pub-
lic required that lie should have noticed it. It
might also have proved beneficial to himself, by
gisiog an interest to his columns in these dull
times ; but prawns the readers of that P►irtt
have no taste fur intelligence of this kind, and
that the publication of any would have been no
recommendation to them. Although we think
Isis pen m ptht have been better employed than
in sus invidious and vain attempt to depreciate
our new., we are ready to give the writer credit
for more candour than he is probably aware that
lie possesses, although at the expense of his consist-
coley. In the beginning of his article he trusts
that our accounts are exaggerations, and in the
conclusion he says that he has lately received Intel-
ligence to the same effect, but that lie has " reason
to believe that instructions have been sent by the
Government of the Netherlands which are calcu-
lated to put a stop to these abuses," meaning those
particularly in Java. Here we must, in com-
mon with his oilier readers, blame the Editor of
The Morning Post for not eommuniciting th
intelligence which he lately received. There is not
a merchant in the City of London. directly or indi-
rectly connected with the commerce of the Indian
Seas, who would hot hate thanked him for the
information. But if the circumstances which we
have detailed be exaggeraitione, how happens it that
the Government of the Netherlands have sent out
instructions calrulated to put an red to them ?
We feel much obliged by this latter assurance, be-
cause it iv a confirmation of the correctness of our
information, and meantimes us to hope I hat the
arbitrary, oppressive, and monopolizing proceedings
of the Dutch in the Indian Archipelago must soon
cease. If these instructions have been sent Oust
on the remonstrance of our Government, we must
presume that both Governments have not acted
upon exaggerations, but that there ens strong and
sub►tantial grounds of complaint. If, on the con-
fiery, the Dutch Government has acted sponta-
neously in the 'maims., it must isideed have been
a crying sin that has so immediately and effectually
extorted voluntary redress from a Government not
very remarkable for its ready compliances and sa-
crifices in matters of trade and commerce. In either

case, we can plead the conduct of the Government
of the Netherlands, as stated in The Morning Post.
in confirmation of our account, and refutation of
the charge of " exaggerations." However, the
writer haviug announced himself fully informed on
this subject, we hope he will make amends for his
late taciturnity, by becoming now a little commu-
nicative on the question of these alleged instruc-
tion.. The Times Newspaper very fairly copied
our intelligence, without attempting to depreciate it.

We have received Paris Papers of Monday
last. An article from Be►lin asoerts, that all the
rumours previously circulated in Germany respect-
ing the future Con►titution of the Prussian Mo-
narchy were wholly unfounded. and that nothing
has hitherto been resolved by the King or Council
of State upon thus important subject. So many
instancing have of late yeani been furnished to the
world, of the facility with which Sovereigns can
forget their premise:, to their Siihjects, that we feel

.

no particular surprise at the disregard shewn by the
King of Pans,' A to his solemn declaration respect.-
ing the grunt of a free Constitution to his people. It
will be impossible, however, for the King of Pau'-
eta, aided even by his brother labouring in the cause
of old systems, to check the march of public opinion.
It :►as advanced with rapid strides throughout the
whole extent of Germany, and we entertain the
most lively hopes that, notwithstanding the Holy
Alliance, slid the approaching Congress of
Aix•lx-
Chapelle, the old military sovereignities of the.Con-
burnt will, at no very distant period, give place to
the establishment of rspresentativit governments.

The Sontiramis frigate arrived on IVednesday at
Portsmouth, soul we lament to add. with the corpse
of her late Captain, the gallant Sir JAMES Irso, on
board. The Semiramis comes from the coast of
Africa, her term of service on that station having
expired. Sir JAMES YEu was not in a good state
of health when he went out, and the most serious op-
preliensi for his life, How unfortunately realised,
have been for some time entertained by his friends
and relatives. On Isis death the first Lieutenant, Mr.
11 AREISON, 31 vary metitorious and gallant Officer,
assumed the command. In Sir JAMES YEo the
country has hot an Officer of great talent and
activity, and a good man. As a proof of the
estimation he enjoyed, lie was selected from among
a galaxy of naval stars fur the arduous service ou
the Lakes of Canada, in the late war with America.
Art account of the early scenes of his life is given
in another part of our Paper.

We remarked a few days since that the !United
States of North America had formed for their own
use a 'peculiar code of isiteroational law, to regulate
their liffairs wish other people; and that the ad-
vancement of their loivate interests, and the gratifi-
cation of their own pa-sinsw, were the principles on
which this system was framed. Of this assertion
we at the same time give some illustrations. The
article in their code relating to the treatment of
their prisoners of war, may be collected from the
following fart, which is mentioned in a letter writ-
ten by General J ACKSON, to is Gentleman at Nash-
ville, (lased frosts his camp before Saint Marks.
April-9.1818:
a On my arrival bat, several communications passed be-

torero nsyselfaii.l the Commandant; when, to bring matters
to a char, delay bring evidently designed, I ordered the
Tight companies to advance and take possession. and Cap-
tain M'Ever to assume a position in the rear; while G I
Gaines was instructed to hold his brigade in readiness to
act, if resistance ►hoald be attempted : none, however, was
made,and the light companies entered, possessed themselves
of the fort, and pulled down the flog. Captain bPEver hay.
in; Wiled English colours on board his boats, Francis the
Prophet, nuonsolchemuco, and two others, wore derived ow
board, !obeying him to he the promised sad daily expected
aid from New I rovidence, under the command of Wood-
blue. Thom hove beets bony to-day. To-morrow I march
fur Suwannee, where I hope to put an end to the war."

This letter we published yesterday more at
length, but were prevented by • preps of other
matter from paying it the at►ention it so highly
merits. We have therefore thought it right to
hold up in it mote particular manner this letter,
the principle it professes, the agent in this nefa-
rious transaction, and the country that advocates
and countenances such proceedings, to the indig-
nation of this country, and of the rest of the world.
It would he impossible, we believe, to exceed
the song froid with which this man records this in-
stance or his own treachery •nd
.cruelly. He
marches, it appears, into tile country of the Semi-
nole Indians, against wham the United States have
Tong entertained a violent hatred, we believe for no
other reason than because these Indians, fired with
indignation for unmerited outrages, united thei►
arm• in the late war to those of Great Britain. lie
attacks their towns, and gains " a victory"—aye !
nothing less than it victory with regular troops over
af w naked Indians. " Three days were employ-
ed," he assures us, " in scouring their country,
burning their towns, and securing their corn sad
cattle. Upwards of three hundred houses have
heti' consumed." He then details in the above ex-
tract his happy device for deceiving the chiefs of
" the enemy," and mentions, in illustration of the
North American code of national law, that these
chiefs were immediately hanged !
The Seminoles are represented by one of the
United States' Newspapers most hostile to them,
as " the basest, most unprincipled, and most fe-
►ocious Oran the Indian tribes ;" hut wequestion if
even the Seminoles could have exceeded the cold-
blooded treachery and cruelty of the more powerful
barbarians who attacked them. General JACKSON
does not condescend to explain upon what prin-
c plc he thought himself justified in hanging the
Chiefs or Centrals of the enemy. It is not pre-
tended *Mat these Indians owed soy allegiance to
the Government or the United States, or that they
had waged a war of rebellion► against their assail.
suits. Their crime was an► adherence to the inte-
rests of Great Britain, and their rebellion a refusal
to submit unconditionally to their systematic op-
pressor.. As the Chiefs of an independent nation
they deserved some regard from a people who pro-
fees to be civilized; but the indifference with which
they were executed proves how ill justified the
United States' Journals are in giving to the In-
dians the character of being exclusively " base,
unprincipled, and ferocious."
The Editor of The Sivatensh Republican, with
a degree of self-sufficient ignorance, equalled lady

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