The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-16 00:00:00

SUN.

ruption and inefficiency of the Civil Officers at
Mofussils ;. these articles would altogether form
an admirable mass of intelligence, loyalty, and no-
velty. The surplus profits of the Newspaper might
enable the native Editor, in a short time, to still
further edify his oppressed and injured country-
men, by a cheap edition, in Persian and 'llineloo-
stannic, of Paine's Age of Reason, and Palmer's
Principles of Miture Y What a cheering idea does
this present to the Philanthropist ? Even the
very probability of the Native of India becoming
almost as virtuous and enlightened as his master.
After ages will spenk with admiration of British
philanthropy and patriotism; and although, pro-
bably, after generations may regret the loss of
India, what is that compared to the mental im-
provement of mankind, and the:advantage of their
becoming as. wise, as good, and as powerful, as
their former rulers were ? Weil may an Chien-
tal Periodical Work place •on its wrapper
a " Printing Press," descending from the
clouds in a halo of light on the heads of the
suffering millions, like the due of Heaven falling
on Mount Lebanon, vivifying, refreshing, and
nourishing exhaused

Nothing can be more certain, than that in the
course of a few years that which I jocularly
have touched upon would become a sad reality.
It cannot be doubted, by reasonable and sensible
minds, but that the most disastrous results must
accrue from a licentious and unbridled Press,
among a proud and powerful people, who have
been reduced to a state of subjection by a hand-
ful of foreigners, foreigners in country, in re-
ligion, in customs, and in sentiments. We should,
in a very short time, as the march of reason pro-
ceeded, have the Sephanie, doubting the pro-
priety of the order given him, and his native of-
fice now become reformed and enlightened, jus-
tifying by treasonable and libellous conversa-
tions and writings, the misconduct of the soldier,
or his own infringement of duties and orders.
Subordination and discipline would he at an end,
and for a moment only allow the Sephanie and
his native officer to have misgivings, or be in-
clined to seek after the whys and wherefores, and
then farewell for ever to India.

it is to me extremely singular, that in our mad-
ness we would wish to bestow that upon the na-
tive soldiery of India, which is positively denied
to the British army at home, an army composed
of our own countrymen, and residing within our
own towns! I allude to being permitted to reed
works or papers of a libellous tendency.
It was but the other day, (and mind, render,)
in this free, happy, and loyal country, I say
loyal, and I glory in saying it, for 119 out of
100 are well disposed towards King and Coun-
try ! Well, even among us it was found ne-
cessary to suppress a tragedy, written by
,Str. *reef* geotlerotto o high-literiary powers,
and an artist of great respectability.
M r. COMMIT, the most eminent reform writer of
this or anyother period,the very A ties of Reformers,
has more than once among us been checked in
his career, but un outcry and lamentation is raised
if the same thing is done among the conquered
millions in India. One would suppose that the
good people of this land, in their anger and vitu-
peration, forget that there was such a thing as an
Alien Act in Great Britain, and although its
application to foreigners, after seven years ceases,
still if the administration found its application
necessary, they would, with that firmness and de-
cision which have maintained us as a nation,
during so many years of hard struggle, have re-
course to it on any particular occasion occurring.

In the case with India, from having-served for
considerable periods at the three presidencies of
Calcutta, Madras,and Bombay, I can speak with
confidence,and without fear of contradiction, and,,
can say, that if persons will leave the Govern.
ment alone, the Government will not disturb
them, but it is hard to sting the baud that
nourishes and protects them.
Before quitting the subject of the native popu-
lation on the Oriental Continent, I will give a
sensible and candid opinion contained, as a lead.
ing article, in the Courier of the 27th July, 1824.
't A ridiculous controversy is carrying on just
now, respecting the liberty of the Press in
Like most diSCUSSiOIIS upon this subject,and upon
that of political liberty generally, the great consi-
derations of time and place are disregsrded. That
which is good for A, under given circumstances,
must be equally good for B, under circum-
stances diametrically opposite. This is the doe-
trine of medical empirics, with their nostrums and
panaceas. We have never conversed with 'a sin-
gle individual acquainted with India,
.and for
Whose opinion we should entertain the slightest
respect upon other points, who has not Unequi-
vocally declared that a Free Press in that coun-
try. would work its utter ruin in a few years. In-
deed, this is so obvious a. truth, that with the
exception of those who think upOn, all subjects
in one way, we know not who would dispute it.
The 'state of society in India is so utterly unlike
that of any European country, and the form of
Government which that state of society requires,
is also so dissimilar to any European forni of Go-
vernment, that it appears one of, the wildest
dreams of purt, Radicalism to Wish the es-
tablisbment of a Free Press. Like all the
innovations of our political quacks, or64ts
are confounded with Causes. In every country,
free institutions precede freedom of discussion,
and these institutions themselves must .be pre-
ceded by a certain
,progress in knowledge and
civilization on the part of the people.. With"uA
this preparation, ‘v filch is the slow work of time,
to attempt to establish any insulated portion by
anticipation, NvOu,ld be about as wise as to en-
deavour tu.teackatt infant.how to weild a drawn
sabre. Let him have the strength and discretioO

PRICE SEVENPENOS.

of u man before you put such an iustrutnent*P
his hands. We are unwilling to ACCUS4 bocce
who have advocated the establishment of a
Free Press in India, with the design of bringing
about the loss of our possessions in that .quar-
ter, hut we cannot acquit their proceeclitsga
of the direct tendency to produce that result.
`They
presumption
ption fro"aft;in gnlulej
morelraimiitsZet venigfir,
cause less capable of, being actedittpon byforet
-of reason, than intelligent-hostility.".
t may be said thatthete.9ttrier takes .a parti•
cular side in politics. Allowing it does'linlattub..
ject like the present, uninfluenced by any:paify
feeling, it may write as much truth and aanincit
sense as another paper. I. rejoice in the Free
Tress of England, it is as itecetsary to us' (tee.
men as air ; in short, to this Countryiit is wreak
and great blessing. '2.
I should hardly have the temerity to think tit
opposing or even differing with such formidable
papers as the Times and Morning Chronicle, whor
with their luminous, powerful, and'able writing,
would soon annihilate a poor feeble soldier like my-
self; happily it is not required, for neither of these
celebrated Journals have advocated the necessity
or expediency of a Free Press in India. They
know it is incompatible with the state of the
country, and have on the general question with
their usual good sense and liberality taken up a
neutral mition.
Considering the impatience of the question,
little has been said by the public, not; because it
is one, not of domestic policy, but becauie the
great mass of thinking persons know it is•un-
called for in India, and its application to an in-
', flammable, ambitious, and subjugated people,
fraught with imminent danger to the prosperity
and eventual safety of the State.
By a few individuals, much has been said and
written, but as I speak from facts, am unpre.
judiced, and argue from practical knowledge, it
does not follow, that because a man can speak
by the hour, or write by the quire against time,
that I am obliged to believe that the moon is
made of green cheese, or that the waters of the
ocean are sweet, when I know to the contrary.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your very obedient Servant,
JOHN H. SEELY,

Captain. Bombay Native Infantry.
NVyke, Dorset, August 14, 1824.

*** The great question of a FREI PRESS in
INDIA has been so ably discussed by Sir Jon
MALCOLM (see THE. SUN of Saturday lust), and by
the acute and intelligent author of The Wonders
of Elora, (a work of the most interesting descrip-
tion) in the foregoing, and his taco former letters
in our Paper last week, renders it u holly unne-
cessary for us to offer any arguments or opinions
on a subject of such vital importa►>ce ,to the
British Empire.