The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-13 00:00:00

Those who know the dissipated habits of the
IVlussulman Princes are aware, that to obtain
money they would not hesitate to pay 100 per
cent. for it, and, to defray the interest, would in
the most unmerciful manner rack.rent their ter-
ritories to the last rupee, alt of which evil must
fall upon the lower orders. The amount of Car-
natic debts, and the late Hydrabad affair, are
cases in point; and had not the British most justly
and opportunely interfered, those rich countries
would have been ruined 'and depopulated from
the extravagance and rapacity of the native
Princes, who,
I am sorry to say, found abettors
and supporters in the class of persona of whom I
am now speaking. As the colonization end con-
sequent loss of India, the brightest jewel the
British Crown, was never contemplated by the
Home Administration, It became necessary to
place restraints on those who wished to settle in
the interior ; this has been a great cause of di,.
content, and those who cannot do as they think
fit, and fail in either influencing or cajoling the
acquiescence in their objects
Ganodve,,r.nismh,eztniyntoofratn
to
Li free press, to insult and
reproach the Executive ; false statements are
made, exaggeration is given to their claims, and
they insult and revile the Government to their
hearts content, not considering that the Admi-
nistration is doing no more than its duty, and
that which the safety and prosperity of the state
imperiously require.
The mind of the native, by these ails-represen-
tations and often falsehoods, is biassed and in-
flamed, and it often happens that one of the said
public, being connected with him, and generally
indebted to him, takes part with the European,
and that which he published in his own language
is translated into the native newspapers (of which
there are four in Calcutta alone) with every cir-
cumstance grossly perverted, shamefully exag-
gerated
and distorted in every pmsible way, and
by whom ? By the very persons who have cone
out to India by permission and under a promise
of good behaviour, and at the same time posses-
singe
are t
a full knowledge of the penal statutes and
themselvesmunicipal
n thecountry her
laws
to
wldch
t hweyhe they
a.tsubjectedo
reside.

India presents a fine field for a literary man,
possessed of u daring and turbulent spirit ; this
spirit, in an ambitious man, is strengthened and
impelled into action by the restraints wisely
placed upon his actions ; the more his political
eiews and exertions are cramped, the more firmly
and zealously he becomes from principal the op.,
ponent of Government, and throtigh him the
hidden libeller, the private enemy, the :miry-
mons assailant, vent their libels and malice. uy
thus administering to the base, disappointed, and
vindictive feelings of others, situated like him-
self, he becomes not only popular, but a champion
in the cause of the said public. Every public
measure, every act of the Government, however
necessary, justifiable or meritorious, is stigma-
reviled,end held up to scorn and derision
by the very persons who live in the country
merely .by sufferance, who have no right there,
and may by law be at any time removed.
Were the effect of the evil confined to the Eu-
ropean part of the community, it would lose some
particle of its dangerons and odious character ;
but it is with the natives where the evil is felt in
full force, and is productive of the most mis-
chievous consequences ; they carefully copy and
circulate the libels and insults offered, believe
them to be true, and in turn fancy themselves
aggrieved and oppressed ; they are thus imper-
ceptibly taught to believe that the Government
is any thing but mild and beneficent; the conse-
quence is evident, that Government which
they formerly looked upon . with respect and
admiration, they now view as Nelfish and
arbitrary its measures; and weak and
irresolute in permitting its. own subjects to
'vilify and calumniate at pleasure. This much
1 know from personal observation made dur-
ing two long visits to Calcutta. -1 know it has
been repeatedly asserted, that in the late
restrictions placed on the press, the Government
of the country wished to keep the people in a
state of mental darkness ; nothing was farther
from their intentions, as the subjoined paragraph,
published' on the occasion of issuing the late
orders, will satisfactorily prove to those who will
view things through a clear vision
44. The foregoing rules impose no irksome re-
-44 strain's on the publication and discusion of any
" mutters of general interest relating to European
44 or Indian affairs, proCided they are conducted
46 with the temper and decorum which the Govern-
" meat has a right to expect few those living un-
" der its protection ; neither do they preclude -
cc from tffering in it temperate and decorous
.unner,thr'ough the channel of the public news-
'" papers,. or • other periodieal,Works, their own
" views and sentiments relating to matters ttigitt
66 ing. the interests of the community."
This beneVolent and liberal language needs no
comment; all the Govirnment wished to. avoid
'was political discussions,
anonymous censures
on their public officers, and highly coloured, the.
'