The Sun.
London, England, 1822-01-05 00:00:00

NEW LAW ON THE PRESS.

PARTS, J AN.2.-(Private Letler.)—Great ex-
pet;tation was to-day excited by a report, which
was spread in the morning, that Ministers had at
last resolved to come forth from behind their veil
of mystery and indecision, and to propose to the
Legislature their new law for the journals. Ac-
cordin,ly, though no ministerial communication
was announced, great numbers of people pro-
ceeded to the Chamber of Deputies. The late
change of the Cabinet, in consequence O'f the
declared dissatisfaction of the Chamber—the
Ivithdrawing of the late ministerial project of law:,
when it was about to be discussed, on account
of its repugnance to public opinion—and the
known 'sentiments= of Many of the Ultras against
any other project that should involve a previous
Censorship (with which, nevertheless, it was sup-
posed Ministers could not immediately dispeoSe,),
gave. an extraordinary degree 9f interest to this
first legislative essay of the new Ministry. It
was presented to-day, All the Ministers were.
present. The fridt.of their protracted labours and
renewed''consultations cannot fail to inspire you
with wonder, and may be considered as decislve of
their fate. Their project has struck all the lovers
of free diScussion with horror. It embraces the
Censorship in certain cases, and introduces arbi-
•trary power into the Courts when arbitrary power
ceases in the Censors. If the Cour Royale, after
a solemn sitting, and without a jury, thinks a
journal conducted on bad principles, it may sus.
.pend-, and even suppress it. Of course any oppo-
,sition journal may, in the opinion of the Minis-
try, be considered as conducted in a had spirit.
I have not been able to get you a copy of
the flew law ; but the following is the substance
of its most important provisions
• Art No journals except those which at present exist can
henceforth appear without the authority of Government.
Art. 2. The offences of the journals against individuals will
be prosecuted in the ordinary manner.
Art. 3.—ln case the_ 'spirit or general tendency of any jour-
nal or periodic.' writing shall be of a nature to injure the pub-
lie peace, or the respect due to the, religion of the state, or to the
,other religions recognized in France, or the trialiority of the
King, or the stability of constitutional institutions, the Royal
Courts, within the range of whose jurisdiction these journals
are published, shall have the power, in a solemn audience, to
suspend the said journals, or even to suppress them.
Art. 4.—lf in the interval of the Session of the Chambers
grave circumstances should momentarily render insufficient the
'measures of guarantee and repression at present established, the
censorship shall be immediately restored to activity, in virtue of
a royal ordinance, countersigned by three Ministers.
The .sth Article-only states that the provisions of the former
law, not repealed, shall remain.

On the reading of this project of law, the Li-
berals showed a violent disapprobation. The
right side testified no feeling, and only called
out Order." The Commission to examine the
project will be nominated, it is supposed, on
Friday, and will present its report next week.
Discussions of the most violent character, and
most vital importance, are expected to take
place. Many of the Royalists are dissatisfied
with the executive conduct of Ministers ; and
ttzvir legislative wisdom is not likely to re-inspire
confidence. Delalot, Yaubtanc, and other emi-
nent Members of the right side, must be in op-1
position.

M. tie Cazes is expected at Paris, to oppose
Ministers in the Peers.

The rentes are somewhat lower to-day than on
,Monday. In the printed Exchange-list, the
last price is 841. 40c. They were about 50c.
higher before the close.
A letter from Vienna of 'the 23d of December
.has been received in Paris, which states that an
contradiction has been published by the
Commanders of the Austrian army on the fron-
tiers, to the account of the assassination of the
Grand Seignior at Constantinople. Much anxiety
was felt at Vienna respecting the state- of the
ut.gociations at Constantinople ; and dispatche's-
were sent off to Count Lutzow, as it was sup-
posed, to urge him to redouble his .exertions to
pro-cure the- acquiescence of the Sultan in 'the
conditions proposed by Russia. " Whatever may
bethe result," says the letter," it is quite decid-
;ed. that Austria will remain neuter."

The Moniteur of Wednesday contains a long
list of regulations issued by Marshal Victor, the
nflax- War-Minister, for the observance •of all
persons in his department : among them are the
following

' " Every liliscietion, every announcement of a fact connected
with the office, whether given prematurely, or even immediately
afr a l‘liniatrial decision, without the order of the Minister,
"shali be followed by the dismissal of the official .pcsn who
inay be guilty of•it, whatever be his rank, as soon as this
atu*i 'Of confidence and subordination shall have been proved
.4 ••
hips. • . •

heati of offices, and all clerks, are expressly corn-
r .
11:3 antle4 to make np proalises,abd to give no opinion as tothapro-
-',Laide'L.lsions of the-Minister, to give no infOrrnation, written
Or verbal, respecting any matter connected with the business of
the department.
' "It being the intention of. the Minister to receive, with all
the respect dueto rant; or misfortune, such persons as have the
•rig-ht to present• themselves, the heads of .offices and clarks are
cautioned to beware of giving any reatenal?le ground of coin-
. plaint to those to. whom it is their duty to attend.
"It being the duty of every agent' of the, King's. Govern-
nr.nt to render himself worthy- of the Confidence and favour of
. kis Majesty, every discourse or insinuation, on, the part of
principals or clerks; which shall tend either directly or indirectly
tO bring into contempt the sujoerior authorities, shall be fol.
loved by a deprivation of office."
:Tha,Jorfrnal des Dbats of Wednesday states;
that on the -.previous day (new year's day) the
King'. received' visits of congratulation from the
. different branches of the Royal Family, and gave
several 'presents of valuable jeKels to the two
-infant children of the Duchess of Berry. His
-Majesty breakfasted with thelOyal Family, ail
admitted to the same table the Marshals and
Captains of the Guard on .duty at the 'Palace.
ais• Majesty afterwards received the visits of
Vrince Talleyrand, and of the Foreign Ministers,