The Sun.
London, England, 1824-07-10 00:00:00

INDIA HOUSE.

LIBERTY OF THE PRESS IN INDIA.
Spocial General Court of the Proprietors of
East India Stock was held yesterday, convened
in pursuance of the following requisition

" To the Honourable the Chairman of the Court of Directors
of the East India Company, " London.
" We, the undersigned Proprietors of East India Stock, duly
'qualified, request a General Court of Proprietors may be sum.
Twined, for the purpose of taking into consideration the state of
the Public Press in India, the Regulations that are now in
force respecting it at the several Presidencies in India, and also
the proceedings which have attended the suppression of The
Calcutta Journal, and the banishment of Mr. Buckingham and
Mr. Arnot, two of its Editors.
" P. LAURIE. " JOS. HUME.
" WM. THORNTON. "D. KINNA IRD.
" J. ADDINELL. " C. FORBES.
." EDW. HOWORTH "H. REID.
" H. HOWORTH.
• ' THE DECCAN BOOTY.

The Minutes of the last Meeting having been read,
Mr. Dixow rose for the purpose of putting a short question
to the Honourable Chairman ; it was this—Whether any time
had been fixed for the distribution of the Deccan Booty ?
The Chairman, NV.SI. AST et., Eerie said, he was sorry not
to be able to answer the question of the Honourable Proprie-
tor ; but that was a subject not within the controul of the-Di.
rectors. Commissioners had been appointed by the Lords of the
Trenstiry, consisting of the Duke of Wellington and Mr.
Arbuthnot, and the matter was entirely at their disposal.
Mr. Dixox Reid, he had read in some old book, written by
a man of the name of Dean Swift, in which it was stated, that
in certain Courts (whether European or not, he could not tell),
there were public functionaries, called flappers, whose office it
was to remind the Court of its duties. Ile hoped that what
occurred to-day would serve to arouse the Commtssioneteeto
the performance of their deities.
LIBERTY OF TIIE PRESS.
Mr. Down La's wwants) then rose, for the purpose of call-
, ing the attention of the Court to the question for which they
had been convened to-day ; and he begged in the outset to
state, that although it was by no means his intention to lead
the Court into the consideration of any question other than the
very important one immediately before them, yet he would
never abandon his tletertninottlon, on all occasions, nf theineet.
ingot'. the Court, to call for additional intbrination relative to
the administration of the Marquess of Hastings, which, if once
granted, would, in a great degree, do away with the necessity
of so many Special Courts as had been ,recently held. The
pressing and important nature of the present question. was the
only reason why he omitted to move for fresh papers on this
occasion. He was perfectly aware that the question which he
.was about to submit to their attention was one which required
much greater powers than he possessed to compress within a
narrow compass, and at the saute time to prOduce the effect
which It was calculated to do. There are mixed up with it
many Vital considerations, each and every one of which would
well, deserve a separate discussion from that or any other as-
sembly. lie was very far from anticipating that the question
could be terminated on this occasion ; on the contrary, he
• was quite persuaded that this was ony the commencement
• of a series of discussions, not only there but elsewhere,
which must ultimately terminate in the alteration of the exist-
ing system.--(Ilear„ hear I)—lie felt that he was addressing
the Proprietors of East India Stock, • but he also knew that
be was addressing Englishmen posseased of the rights and
privileges of Englishmen, and who cherished the feelings and
principles which distinguished the English character. To the
Proprietors, therefore, quasi Proprietors, he did not address
.Itimmelf; he spoke to them as that body of men upon whom the
Legislature of the country had thought fit to confer the privi-
lege of assembling in that place, and of appealing in a constitu.
tinel manner to the Government of the country, lie did not,
therefore, claim their attention as a body of Proprietors incor-
porated by law, but as a body of Englishmen, to whom the Le.
• &stature had given high power, and had appointed to superin.
tend the affitirs of India, to express their opinion fearlessly on
whatever abuses were proved to exist, and to bring them under
• the consideration of Government whenever an occasion arose.
if they had it in their power to meet in that place, approve
' merit, and apportion rewards, which was always done with
pleasure, it was no less their privilege, and no less their duty, to
express their censure whenever a proCeeding was detailed which
was ,caught with danger. These considerations induced biro to
anpeal to the Court, run as might affect them in their capacity
• at Proprietors, but Englielimen; whose deliberations would
be placed beftwe the public, ainVto ask them to express an opi.
nien.whether, in their judgment, they think the existing laws
relative to the Press in Imilii, are wise and proper, and such its
should be continued in force ? It would have been a sufficiently
worthy occasion to have assembled that Court, if they bud no
other object than to consider the ruined fortunes of one indi-
vidual (Mr. Buckingham) who Sat neat-hint, whose hopes anti
.prospects had been blasted by the tyranny, the caprice, the
• tiredly, the persecution of the late Governor Adam.—(Hear,
hear!) -Speaking of Mr. Buckingham 'octet?, as an English•
man, the treatMent• lie had received woult have demanded
• their attention ; but let it he remembered that he spoke of a
men whom any Englishman might, be proud to call hie coun.
trynian, on account of the manly itpirit he had displayed under
pereecutfons, and fey those vattieble talents he has
• evinced, of which all the world can ludge—it was of the
first importance that the Court should exhibit no_inter-
terice to real merit when it was exerted' for the benefit ,i4.ff
the
whole Indian comnumity, and when, it did notappear_
(ti) t
ethaatt exertions proceeded from interested motives.
w.
-nver, he should not 'detain • the Cour! with detailing the
ruined prospects of this Gentleman, particularly as they had a
much, higher object
,before them.
lie should, dierefore, call
--their attention to the existing regulations
respectingthe press,
and this subject fortunately was not left to conjecture ; for they
lied it under the, hand of the late love:' nor himself( Mr. Adam);
hie carom an-like views and profound views of suture policy. It
would be impossible to discuss this question without reflecting
hilly on the conduct of thie Gentleman and the course pursued
byy isji)) • and he singled him nut on account of the high station
• -which he had accidentally Whitlow' heeeuse. he had pointed out
..slur coe tee to be pursued • by future ,Governors. Ile hoped he
silent". not be told that:he wee mocking a e attack on 11 man who
was absent, and had no mealy; of defending 'himself. This course
• he should be at all times averse to outline ;, but the example of
, IVlr. Aden) biotech' would teach hini to avoid it, for lie first be-
Milled Mr. Buckingham front India, arid having prohibited all
publication; then it was lie bleated his manifesto, and conlea-
veured to mangle the carcass of the victim which he had emeri-
ti:od. It might he said that Mr. Achim was put upon his trial
for a breach of the law, and dint the Courts of Justice were
the proper place to seek redress ; 'but it was well known that
the Governor-General had only to say " this is my will," and
unless you could prove malice against him, there was no re.
• 'drew% *plait any act he might conimit ; therefore it was that
..Mr. Buckingham had' been advised by time ablest Counsel in
,this country to abstain from any further, expenditure of his
money in a proceeding so wholly unavailing. The Court were
• .aware that the hiarquis SVelleetley had imposed a Censorship
•on tho press, and that all publication was restricted, except that
...allewed by the Governor.tietierel. Now, certainly, if tyranny
is to be exercised et all, perhaps that the simplest form of it,
despotism, is to he preferred, because then the people are
• *oily subjected to the caprices or One individual ; but there is
souther opeciee of tyranny, which consists in this, namely,
• insidiously inviting persons to a country, and then persecuting
them- when they cone within the grasp of the ruler. Now,
Abe Cetteorship reldered the Government
.responsible for
every thing thst was published, and the Marquis Wellesley
aecompamed the Censorship with certain instructions to the
Editors of Newspapere, which-might be supposed to contain
-hint; of his wishes and his feelings as to the line of publica-
tion. However, at a later period, the Marquis of Hastings
.'baving succeeded to the Government, thought that the power
,or the Suprome Court over the press was quite sufficient, with.
put the censorship, to ceunteract any attack upon the Govern.
tPerit, and accordingly he removed it, anti by so doing involved
`the Caeiverinnent' in a heavy responsibility. At that time the
Marquis of Itastlnlpt well knowing the prejudices. and 'gm,:
rases which existed---well ..Acquainted with: the spirit exist- '
rill;I in the civil service in ndia, he lamed, if not a trail.
• script, at least something nearly resembling the instructions
of the Alarquis Wellesley; but be had no hesitation
whatever it et t' shut ti• only importance which the
. ii:g,!e
Marquis cf I"ltingi attached to these restrictions. was
few weak minds (who, it 'teems, were satisfied),
but that inustrine4 Personage very well knew that those re.
strictione were no more binding in law than any orders which
he might hive given his servant, Ile admitted, that,
t!' ll 4Po4l•4flees Mr, Canningie joke in the House of
.oommons was a gond 60, when lie said, " give me what
pawr you will, turd let me have no fear but front the
,Preitg ; then give me the Preson as regulated by the Marquis of
iiastings, and I will venture to consider thyself sate." But
let any Man look et the Whole tenpiur of the conduct of the
Marquis of Basting'', arid he inuet reason most inaccurately
of be can draw from it the inference; that he bad for one too.
mcnt supposes) the instructions issued couldliave had the &bet
of law. It any man smutted the Alerquie of ikstiogit of in.
pnniiatener, let IMO remember that he had to attain fix means-
to
Ms end, and in the course be Fumed, he had, attain, fact, only
thrown a 'little for children to play with, but he:wen know that
it was no more law titan a piece of waste Palmer. fie thought
Mr. Canning had acted most wisely in locking tip the drift gent
to hint by the Directors for the restoration of the restrictions,
and An refusing to express an opinion ou the subject, lie

bad acted wisely for himself, and wisely as a Statesman ;
he had acted wisely for himself, much in the same manner
as a man called upon by two parties in a warm dispute to_give
his opinion ; seeing it to be a delicate paint, he says, " Wait
till I see the result:" but if he could venture to predict what
would be the decision (lime to by the ,Itight lion. Gentleman
to whom he had alluded, he would say it must be his opi-
nion"that the existing system cannot Continue. What then has
been the result of the five years administration of the Marquis
of Hastings since the removal of the Censorship ? In the
midst of the discussions which followed, and the unfortunate
storms which had arisen, we find Mr. Adam tossed up to the
head of affairs, and mistaking the elevation in which he was
placed for dignity of position—(Hear, hear I)—And what was
the ground of a his proceedings? 'Did it appear that any
disloyalty had been diffused, or was the sole object to check
the progress of intelligence ?No: if any such thing had '
curred, Mr. Adam would have placed it in his preamble. But
he commences by stating, that " whereas matters tending to
bring the Government of the country as by law established
into hatred and contempt, &c. &c. and to disturb the peace,
harmony, and good order of society, have lately been fre.
quently published in newspapers and other papers in Calcutta:
for the prevention whereof it is deemed expedient by law,"
&c. &c. Now it was quite impossible to contradict a man who
talks of matters tending to a particular object. But Mr.
Adam goes on—
" 1. Be it therefore ordained by the authority of the Gover.
nor-General in Council of and for the Presidency of Fort Wil.
Ham, in Bengal, at and within the said settlement or factory of
Fort William in Bengal aforesaid, by and in virtue of, and
under the authority of a certain Act of Parliament, made and
passed in the 13th year of the reign of his late Majesty King
i George the Third, ntituled An Act for the better Manage.
ment of the. Affairs of the East India Company, as well in
India as in Europe,' and by a certain other Act of Parliament
made, and passed in the 30th year ot' the reign of his said Ma-
jesty King George It 1., intituled, An Act ter establishing fur.
ther Regulations for the Government of the British territories
in Indish and the better administration of justice within the
same,' that fourtein days after the registry and publication of
this rule, ordinance and regulation in the Supreme Court of
Judicature at Fort William in Bengal, with .the consent and
approbation of the said Supreme Court, if the said Supreme
Court shall in its discretion approve of and consent to the
rqistry and publication of the same, no person or persons shall
within the said Settlement of Fort William, print or publish,
or cause to he printed or published, any newspaper or maga.
zinc, register, pamphlet,- or other printed book or paper what.
soever, in any language or character whatsoever, published
periodically, containing' or purporting to contain public news
and intelligence, or strictures on the acts, measures and pro.
ceetlings of Government, or any political events or transactions
whatsoever, without having obtained a licence for that purpose
from the Governor-General in Cpuneil, signed by the Chief
Secretary of Government for the time being, or other person
officiating and actin; as ,such Chief Secretary.
" 2. Anti be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid,
that every person applying to the Governor-General in Coun-
cil for such license as aforesaid, shall deliver to the Chief Se-
cretary of Government for the time being, or other person act-
acting or officiating as such, an affidavit specifying and Netting
forth the real and true names, additions, descriptions, and
places of abode, of all and every person or persons, who Is, or
are, intended to be the printer and printers, publisher and pub.
fishers of the newspaper, magazine, register, . pamphlet, or
other printed book or paper in the said affidavit named, and
of all the proprietors of the same, if the number of such pro.
proprietors, exclusive of the printers and publishers, does not
exceed two, and in case the same shall exceed such number,
then of two of the 'proprietors resident within the Presidency of
Fort William, anti places thereuntO subordinate, who hold the
largest shares therein, and the true description of the house or
building wherein any such newspaper, magazine, register,
pamphlet, or other printed book or paper, as aforesaid, is in-
tended to be printed, and likewise the title of such newspaper,
magazine, register, pamphlet, or other printed book or paper.
"3. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid,
that every such affidavit shall be in writing, and signed by the
person or persons making the same, and shall be taken, with.
out any cost or charge, by any Justice of the Peace acting in
and for the town of Calcutta. _

"4. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid,
that where the persons concerned as printers and publishers of
any such newspaper, magazine. register, pamphlet, or other
printed hook or paper as aforesaid, together with such number
of proprietor% as are herein before required to be named in such
affidavit as utbresaid, Allan not altogether exceed the number
of 4 persons, the affidavit hereby required shall be sworn and
signed by all the said persons, who are resident in or within 20
miles of Calcutta and when the number of such persons shall
exc,cod 4, the same shall be signed and sworn. by 4of such
persons, if resident in or within :20 utiles of Calcutta, or so
many ofi them as are so resident..
" 5. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid,
that an affidavit or atlidaviss of the like nature and import
shall be made, signed anti delivered, in like manner, as often as
any of the printers, publishers, or proprieters, named in such
affidavit or affidavits, shall be changed, or shall change their
respective places of abode, or their printing house, place, or
office, and as often as the title of Such newspaper, magazine,
register, pamphlet, or other printed book 'or paper shall he
changed, and as often as the Governor General in Council
shall deem it expedient to require the manic; and that when
such further and new affidevit a- last aforesaid, shall be so re-
quited by the Governor General in Council, notice thereofAgned
by the said Chief Secretary, or other person acting and officiat-
ing as such, shall be given to the persons named in the hifidnYit,
to which the said notice relates, as the printers, publlaliets.
or proprietors of the newspapers, magazine, register, pamphlet,
or other printed book or paper, in such affidavit named, such
notice to be left at such place as is mentioned in the affi-
davit last delivered as. the place at which the newspaper, ma-
gazine, register, pamphlet, or other printed hook or paper to
which such notice shall relate is printed; and in failure: of
making such affidavit in the said several cases aforesaid
quired, that such newspaper, magazine, rivister, pamphlet, or
other printed book or paper., shall be deeined, and taken to be
printed, and published without license.
11. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid,
that every license which shall and may be granted m manner
and form aforesaid, , shall and may be resumed and recalled by
the Governor-General in , Council, and from and immediately
after notice in writing of such recall, signed by the said
Chief Secretary, or other peison acting or officiating
as such, shall have been given to the person or persons to
whom the said license er licenses shall have been granted ;
such notice to bc' left at such place as is mentioned in the affi-
'vavit fast delivered, es the place at which the newspaper, ma.
gezine, register. pamphlet, or other printed book or paper to
which sueli notice shall relate is printed, the said license or li.
censcs shall be considered null and void, and the newspapers,
magazines, registers, pamphlets, printed hooks, or papers, to
which such license or licenses relate, shall be taken and consit
,
tiered as printed 'and published without license : and whenever
any such liceuse as aforesaid Aid) he- revoked and' recalled;
notice of such revocation and recal shall be forthwith given
in the Government Gazette, for the time being, published in
Calcutta.

". 7. And be h further ordained by the authority aforesaid,
that if any person within ihe'eald settlement of Fort William,
shall knowingly or wilfully print or publish, or cause to be
printed or published, or Khali knowingly or wilfully, either as
a proprietor thereof, or as agent or servant of such proprle.
tor or otherwise, sell, veri, or deliverout, distribute or dispose
of, or if any bookseller or proprietor, or keeper of any reading
room, library, shop, or place of public resort, shall knowingly
and wilfully receive, lend, give, or supply, for the purpose of
perusal or otherwise, to any person whatsoever, any such news.
paper, magazine, register, or pamphlet, or other printed book
`tor paper" iforeeard,' such license iti is required by thisrule,
ordinance, and regulation, not having been first obtained, or
after such license. if previously obtained, shall have been re.
called as eforeettid, such person shall forfeit for every such
offence a stun not exceeding sicca rupees 41)0." ' •
So that here we fiud, if man lend another man even a piece
of paper, he must be exceedingly cautious to what use it is .to
be devoted, for if it were only to light a fuse, it comes within Mr.
Adam's regulitions.—( Hear, hear ! )—Now this isayretty sweep-
ing regulation, and yet all this Mr. Adam may do without assign.
ins any reason whatever for sending you away. Indeed there
Is a proviso itt the end, which excepts the publication of nil
shipping intelligence—(a laugh)—advertisements of sales, cur.
rent pricey of commodities, rates of exchange, or other articles
solely of a commercial nature—(alangh.)—'Why, the most im-
portant
,commercial intelligence may frequently be of a com-
mercial nature. But really altogether the absurdity of these
Regulations was such as one could hardly believe. Then fol-
low, by way of comment, some observations on the Regula-
tions, which are most curious : they. state " the foregoing
rules impose no irksome restraints on the discussion of many
mattere of general interest—(a latigh)—provided they are con-
ductal with that decorum which the Government has a
right to expect from those living under its; protection."—
There was a soliloquy which must be familiar to those who are
acquainted with dramatic literature, which is exceedingly ap-
plicable to a man' placed in this situation t it was by one
Figaro, and after the intrigue of his master's wife, he aolilo-
quites thus on his past life, and he says--", In order to profit of
the amazing liberty which is allowed me, I announce my ht-
tenthon of setting on foot a periodical publication, end-in -order
that it may not interfere with any of the regulations, I. call it
the. thews Journal."-4 Hear, hear 1)—In fact the regulations
are one more absurd than the other,' The firat,stricture is—
" All defainatOry or _contunlelious.reflections, against thesging
or any Members of. the Royal Family." Surely eltelaws.were
quite sufficient to prevent. this. Next follow— Observations
relative to allied or friendly Native Powers, their Ministers or

Representatives." . And here again he was reminded of poor
Figaro, who says, " I announce a Comedy, founded on the
Seraglio, and immediately I am told I have given offence to
the Sublime Porte and the Emperor of Morocco."---(A laugh.)
—But the madness of all this would be almost incredible,
if it were not accompanied with such circumstances of hor-
ror and cruelty to all those who were compelled to pass through
the ordeal of the Indian service. The honourable Proprie-
tor next directed the attention of the Coln to the Memorial
drawn up by an individual to whom the highest praise was
due—he alluded to a person of at much intelligence as any of
those whom he had now the honour to address—he meant
Ram Alohon Roy, who prepared the following 31emorial,which
was presented to Sir Francis Macnaughtcu, Judge, of the Su-
preme Court :
" M v Lotto—ln consequence of the last Rule and Ordi-
nance passed by his Excellency the Governor-General in Coun-
cil, regarding the publication of periodical works, your Memo-
rialists consider themselves called upon, with due submission,
to represent to you their feelings and sentiments on the subject.
"6 Your Memorialists beg leave, in the first place, to bring to
the notice of your Lordships various proofs given by the natives
of this country of their unshaken loyalty to, and unlimited con-
fidence in, the British Government in India; which may re.:
move from your mind any apprehension of the Government
being brought into hatred and contempt, or of the peace, har-
mony and good order of society in this country being liable to
be interrupted and destroyed, as implied in the preamble of the
above rule and ordinance.
" I. Your Lordship is well aware that the natives of Cal-
cutta and its vicinity have voluntarily intrusted Government
with millions of their wealth, without indicating the least suspi-
cion of its stability and good faith ; and reposing in the san-
guine hope that their property being an secured, their interests
will be as permanent as the British Power itself ; while, on the
contrary, their fathers were invariably compelled to conceal
their treasures in the bowels of the earth, in order to preserve
them from the insatiable rapacity of their oppressive rulers.
" 2. Placing entire reliance on the promises made by the
British Government at the time of the perpetual settlement of
the landed property in this part.of India, in the year 1793, the
landlords have since, by-congiantly improving their estates,
been able to increase their produce in general very consider--
ably ; • whereas, prior to that period, and under former Govern-
ments, their forefathers were obliged to lay waste the greater
part of their estates, in order to make them appear of inferior
value, that they might not excite the cupidity of Government,
and thus cause their rents to be increased or themselves to be
dispossessed of their lands-. 4 pernicious pradice, which often
incapacitated the landholders from discharging even their
stipulated revenue to Government, and reduced their families
to want.

" 3. During the last wars which the British Government were
obliged to undertake against neighbouring Powers, it is well
known that the great body of natives of wealth and respecta.
bility, as well as the landholders of consectuence, offered up
regular prayers to the objects of their worship for the success
of the British arms, from a deep conviction that, under the
sway of that nation, their improvement, both mental and social,
would be promoted, anti their lives, religion, and property be
secured. Actuated by such feelings, even in those critical
times, which are the best test of the loyalty of the subject,
they voluntarily came for Ward with a large portion of their
property, to enable the British Government to carry into effect
the measure necessary for its own defence : considering the cause
of the British as their own, and firmly believing that on its suc.
cm their own happiness and prosperity depended.
" 4. It is manifest as the light of day, that the general sub-
ject of observation, and the constant and familiar topic of din.
course among the llindoti community of Bengal, are the lite-
rary and political improvements which are continually going
on in the state of the country under the present system of go-
vernment, and . a comparison between their present suspicious
prospects and their hopeless condition under their former
rulers.
" Under these cirtimstances your Lordship cannot fail to be
impressed with a full conviction, that whoever charges the na.
tives of this country with disloyalty, or insinuates aught to the
prejudice of their fidelity and attachment to the British Go.
vernment, must either be totally ignorant of the affairs of this
country and the feelings and sentiments of its inhabitants, as
above stated, or, on die contrary, be desirous of misrepresent-
ing the people and misleading the Government, both here and
in England, for unworthy purposes of his own.
" Your Memorialists • must confess that these, feelings of
loyalty anti attachment, of which the most unequivocal proofs
stand on record, basic been produced by the wisdom and libe.
rality displayed by the British Government, in the means
adopted for the gradual improvement of their social and do.
inestie condition, by the establishment of colleges, schools,
and other beneficial institutions in this city; among which,
the creation of a-British Court of Judicature, for the more
effectual administration of justice, ttcsevvcs to be gratefully
remembered. • '

proof of the natives of India being more and more at-
tached to the British rule, in proportion as they experience
from it the blessings of jtist and liberal treatment, is, that the
inhabitants of Calcutta, who enjoy in many respects very su-
perior privileges to those of their fellow subjects in other parts
of the country, are known.to be in like measure more warmly
devoted to the existing Government; nor is it at all wonderful
they should in loyaltYbe not at all inferior to 13ritish-born sub-
jects, since they- feel assured of the same civil and religious
liberty which is enjoyed in England, without being subjected
to such heavy taxation as presses upon the people there.
" Hence the population of Calcutta, as well as the value of
land in this city, have rapidly increased of late years ; not-
withstanding the high rents of houses, and the dearness of all
the necessaries of life compared with other parts of the coun-
try, as well as the inhabitants being subjected to additional
taxes, and also liable to the heavy costs necessarily incurred
in cases of Itiits befbre the Supreme Court.
" Your Lordship may have learned from the works of the
Christian Missionariee, and also from other sources, that ever
since the art of printing has become
the natives of Calcutta, numerous publications have been cir-
culated in the Bengallee language, which, by introducing free
'discussion among the natives, and inducing them to reflect and
inquire after knowledge, have already served greatly to im-
prove their minds and ameliorate their condition. This de-
sirable object has been chiefly promoted by the establishment
of four native newspapers, two in the Bengallee, and
two in the Persian language, published for the purpose of
communicating to those residing in the interior of the coun-
, try accounts of whatever occurs worthy of notice at the Pre-
&net, or in the country, and also the interesting and valuable
' intelligence of what is passing in England and in other parts of
the world, conveyed through the English newspapers or other
channels.

" Your memorialists are unable to discover any disturbance
of the peace,harrnony, and good orrder of society, that has
arisen from the English press, the influence of which must ne-
cessarily be confined to that part of the community who under.
stand the language thoroughly; hut we are quite confident
that the publications in the native languages, whether in the
shape of a newspaper or any other work, have none of them
been calculated to bring the Government of the country Tinto
hatred and contempt, and that they have not proved, as far as
can be ascertained by the strictest inquiry, in the slightest de.
gree injurious, which has very lately been acknowledged in
one of the most respectable English lissionary works. So far
from obtruding- upon (4overnment groundless representatione,
native authors and editors have always restrained themselves
from publishing even such facts respecting the judicial pro-
eeedings in' theinterior el' the country, as they thought were
likely, at first view, to be Obnoxious to Government. •
" While your memorialists were indulging the hope that
Government, frnm'a Conviction of the manifold advantages of
being put i 4 possession .of of full and impartial information re-
patronage and
garding what
,pa§ipi‘in all parts of the eouowy; waenutlid
courage the estAlitiliment. Of newspapers in the cities
tricts under the special rotection .of Govern-
went, that they M ight furnish the supreme authorities in
Calcutta with an accurate account of local occurences, and re.
ports of judicial proceeding, they have the misfortune to observe
that, on the contrary, his Excellency the Governor-General in
Council has lately promulgated a rule and ordinance imposing
severe restraintson the press, and prohibiting all periodical
publication, even at the Presidency, and in the native langpages,
unless sanctioned by a license from Government, which is to
be revocable at pleasure, whenever it shall appear to Govern-
ment that a publicAon has contained any thing of unsuitable
character.

and of respectable character,
who are in more favourable circumstances
,L Those natives
hive such an invincible prejudice
against making a Voluntary affidavit, or undergoing the solem-
nities of an oath, that
,they will never think of establishing a
publication which, can only be supported by a series of oaths and
affidavits, abhorrent to their feelings, and derogatory to their
reputation amongst their countrymen.-
" After this-I'lllc 444 ordinance shall have been carried into
execution, your Memorialists are therefore extremely sorry to
observe, that a coinplete stop will be put to the diffusion of
knowledge, and the consequent mental improvement now
going on, either, by translations into the popular dialect of
this country from the learned languages of the East, or by
the circulation of the literary intelligence drawn from foreign
publications. And the same cause will also prevent Coose na-
tives who are better versed in the laws and customs of the Bri-
tish nation, from communicating to their fellow subjects a
knowledge of the admirable system of' Government established
by the British, and the peculiar excellencies of the means they
have adopted for the strict and impartial administration ofjtis-
tice. Another evil of equal importance in the eyes of a just
ruler is, that it will also preclude the natives front making the
Government readily acquainted with the errors and injustice
that may be committed by its executive officers in the various
parts of this extensive country, and it will also preclude the

natives from communicating frankly and honestly to their
gracious Sovereign in Ertgland and his Council, the real con-
dition of his Majesty's faithful subjects in this distant part
of his dominions, and the treatment they experience from the
local Government. Since such information cannot in future be
conveyed to England, as it has heretofore been, either by the
translations in the native publications inserted in the English
newspapers printed here and sent to Europe, or by inthe Eng-
lish publications which the natives themselves had contem-
plation to establish, before this rule and ordinance, was pro-
posed.
" After this sudden deprivation of one of the most precious
of their rights, which has beenfreely allowed them since the
establishment of the British power—a right which th 4 are not
and cannot be charged with having ever abused—the inhabi-
tants of Calcutta would be no longer justified in boasting that
they are fortunately placed by Providence under the protection
of the whole British nation ; or that the King of England and
his Lords and Commons are their Legislators ; and that they
are secured in the enjoyment of the same civil and religious
privileges that every Briton is entitled to in England. •
4. Your Memorialists are persuaded that the British Govern-
ment is tuft disposed to adopt the political maxim so often
acted upon by .Asiatic Princes, that the more a people arc
kept in darlcness, their rulerri will derive the greater ad-
vantages from them ; since, by reference to history, it is
found that this was but a short-sighted policy, which did
not ultimately answer the purppose of its authors. On the
contrary, it rather proied disadvantageous to them ; for we
find that, as often as an ignorant people, when an opportunity
offered, have revolted against their rulers, all sorts of barbar-
ous excesses and cruelties have been the consequence ; whereas
a people naturally disposed to peace and ease, when placed
under a good government, from which they experience just
and liberal treatment, must become the more attached to it
in proportion as they become enlightened, and the great body
of the people are taught to appreciate the value of the blessings
they enjoy under its rule.
" Every good ruler, who is convinced of the imperfection of
human nature, and reverences the Eternal Governor of the
World, must be conscious of the great liability to error in ma-
naging the affairs of a vast empire • and, therefore, lie will be
anxious to affbrd every individual die readiest means of bring-
ing to his notice whatever may require his interference. To
secure this important object, the unrestrained liberty 'of publi:
cation is the only effectual means that can be employed. And
should it ever be abused, the established law of the rand is very
properly armed with sufficient powers to punish those who may
be found guilty of misrepresenting the conduct or character of
Government, which are effectually guarded by the same laws
to which individuals must look for theprotection of their repu-
tation and good name.
" Your Memorialists conclude by humbly entreating your
Lordship to take this MeMorial into your gracious considera-
tion ; and that you will be pleased, by not registering the
above rule and ordinance, to permit the natives of this country
to continue in possession of the civil rights and privileges
which they and their fathers have so long enjoyed under the.
auspices of the British nation, whose kindness and confidence
they are not aware of having done any thing to forfeit.
" Chunder Coomar Tagore.
Dewar'Kunauth Tagore.
Ram Motion Roy.
ur Chunder (Those.
Gowree Churn Bonnergee.
Prossunno Coomar Tagpre."
_ _

This was the document to which the Court might at all times
refer for the vindication of their character against the libels
which had been pronounced on it. In fact it might be said that
this country stood in the position of an almighty power which
held out hopes hereafter to those who relied on it. This was a
statement which must come home to all their bosoms—it was
'the proudest record to which the Court could refer. The Han.
Proprietor next adverted to the opinions expressed by Mr.
Adam as to the public of India being disqualified to pronounce
an opinion on the measures of Government; he would appeal
to those Gentlethen whom he saw about him, and who had
passed a great portion of their lives in India, whether they were
content at being so characterised ? Was this the Condition
through which these Gentlemen have passed in preparation for
seats behind that liar, and many of them for seats in the Par-
' Dement of their country ?—(llear !)--One class of the Indian
public (for Mr. Adam divided them into classes according to
their wealth), one class he represented as being in the hourly
commission of misdemeanors, "or hfnnini "ban! "it." But
these are not homines, they are tint capable of pronouncing
Upon the measures
of a Government. Did the Directors ac-
' knowlede or recognize this description of their servants ? Mr.
Adam says, that nothing could havegiven rise to such an as-
xertion, but some inexplicable views or motives of base lucre.
Why, good God, why does Mr. Adam remain there, but for
the sake of base lucre ? At all events he has clearly explained
his views. He sincerely hoped, that this exposition men by
Mr. Adam had been contradicted by the .Directors ; if not
they had neglected their duty. lie knew there was a secret
motive at the bottom of all this ; there was a class of men,
who having raised themselves from obscurity, imagined It
was their interest to keep the people in ignorance; but be
would appeal to those Gentlemen about him, and ask whether
they admitted the truth of Mr. Adam's statement, namely, that
when they were in India they were incapable of expressing an
opinion on the measures of Government ? But never was man
so completely contradicted as was Mr. Adam by Sir Francis
Macnaughten. The Learned Judge says, "he did not mean
to say that this, or any other government, should have the power
of doing wrong without an adequate remedy being provided.;
but this he would say, in full conviction of carrying his bearers
with hint, that he firmly believed, that there was not on earth
any town, city; or lace where more practical liberty existed
than in Calcutta. During the many years he had. resided here,
'and occupied his present seat, he never heardany 'man produee
a single case of just complaint of infringement of any political
liberty. As for the theory of thii political liberty, he cared
little or nothing aboutit, it was of no consequence; in practice
he never saw any place in his life where men were more truly
independent, and free 'to exercise their talents in all lawful
pursuits.
" If this is a state requiring to be altered, if this is a situa-
tion requiring improvement, let it be done ; hut do not allow
it to be done by a tree press ; if we tire to have a free constitu-
tion, which we have not, let-a free press follow, not precede it.
With respect to the transmission of Mr. Buckingham, I shall
offer no opinion. It is an act for which the Government alone
are responsible, nor, sitting here, am I entitled to give any opi-
nion on the subject ; but I have no right whatever to suppose,
that in the exercise, in tkeir discretion, of the power vested in
them by law, they have acted wrong. But since Mr. Buck-
ingham has been sent out of the country for conduct which the
that
tt the
things upr e
should n
Government deem to be in opposition to their authority, and has
t its o stuhpeeir rio
prro to p
e irt
e i
yt
eils. n eNceos soa roy.
appointed a successor, who tells us that he cannot be controulled
13 authority, eb
ver"nment could successfully stand against such a press.
I know nothing whatever of the present editor,' but I be-
lieve him to be a highly respeetable man, belonging to one of
the most respectable claases of the community; but when they
place their right of controulling the Government through the
press, on the ground of their freedom from the power of trans.
mission, consequent upon the locality of their birth, I must say
I think they place it on the worst possible ground; and without
meaning any reflection on, or disrespect towards them, I must
say that their right is no other than that of every Sicar, Cooly,
and Mater.

1.• ••
" In the memorial which has just been read to the Court, it
is stated that an infringement on the right of property will
-ensue fivm the registering of this Regulation. lint is such the
case? Are the petitioners prepared to say, that at any time
any compact or agreement whatever took place between them
and the Government, which would be 'affected by, the proposed
-Regulation ! Cannot the Govermnent in thii-case say—
' Non hoc in foaderaveni?'
They most 'assuredly can, and therefore, as there was no com-
pact, there can lie no infringement. Moreover, if this property
in a newspaper is to rise and fall, like the stocks, on the
triumph over, and defeat nf an enemy, and that enemy is the
Government of the country, 1, for one, say, the sooner it falls
the better ; and I must add, that had I been placed in the situa-
tion of supreme power, when the bold defiance to the authority
of the Government, consequent upon the transmission of Mr.
Buckinglimain; appeared in the Calcutta Jotirnal, I would not
have suffered a single Number to have left the, precincts of
Calcutta by the Dawk.
" It has been averred, that the Regulation, which is the
subject of the petition presented this day, is repugnant to the
laws of the realm ; 1 do not know to what law it is repugnant ;
on the contrary it assimilates with the statute law. By the:l9th
George 111., every man who establishes a press in England is
compelled to register it; if he neglects to do this, any magis-
trate, on an affidavit being made before him of the fact, may
authorize a constable to break open the house in the day time,
and carry away the press and all its appendages; in the same
way that an exciseman may seize an unlicensed distillery, and
all its contents. There is yet another law which prevents nine-
teen-twentieths of the people of England from establishing
presses at their mere will and pleasure. The 80th ()facia. 111.
compels previous securities to be entered into by persons, who
publish newspapers of certain size and value, for the purpose of
securing fines on convictions for libel. Moreover the system
of licensing pervades almost every department of life. Barris.
ters, attornies, clergymen, trades in corporation towns, are all
under the influence of this system, and are all liable to be de-
privet' of their licenses—licenses too, to which they were en-
titled from a peculiar education, and on which depends their
subaistence. It cannot, therefore, be said, that the new re-
gulation is repugnant to the laws of the land, since its prin.
ciple enters into almost every situation in life."
Was there ever a Government treated with such contempt as
by this man'..—(Bear, hear !)-lle was quite persuaded, that

when this question was brought under consideration, some
change would be adopted : he was only doing his duty in en-
deaveuring to rouse the attention of the Court to their real in.
terests ; and if he should be taunted with having occupied the
time of the Directors, his answer should be, that he would at
all times be ready to co-operate with any of his brother Proprie-
tors in bringing the question again and again under considera-
tion. With respect to the manifesto of Mr. Adam, which he
held in his hand, he must say, that a production more disgrace-
ful, both to the head and the heart, he had never seen since his
eye was able to read, it was filled with misrepresentations and
slanders, which he pledged himself to prove before he sat down.
He took more interest in this case, because it was not one that
was confined to the walls of this Court, or even' to the walls of
England. After having ruined the fortunes and expecte-
tions of Mr. Buckingham, Mr. Adam proceeded to publish 'a
pamphlet of fifty-odd pages of the most scurrilous abuse
against him, and in which he recapitulated the pretended
charges, after he had compelled him to quit the country, and
by the 'harshness of his proceedings closed the mouths of all
his-friends. His chief allegation againat that gentleman was,
that he wished to establish a free press ' • but, in fact, Lord
Hastings had already -done that several months before Mr.
Buckingham's appearance in India. Another of the charges,
of which there were thirteen, was, that Mr. Buckingham ex-
pressed regret in his Journal at Mr. Elliott's being continued
in pOwer, and that on'this occasion he received notice from the
Marquis of Hastings of the displeasure which these observations
gave to the Government. Of 3lr. Buckingham's answers, he
would say, that they were models of prudence and circumspec-
tion, at the very time that the sword hung naked over his
head. The first letter of Lord Hastings was to require an ab-
ject apolog►y, but this Mr. B. refused, for motives that Mr.
Adams afterwards designates false dignity ; to this letter, Lord
Hustings replied, that he laid no stress on the particular words,
but he expected that a paragraph would be published in Vie
Calcutta Journal, expressive of sorrow for the attack already.
alludes! to. Something of this sort Mr. B. did do, and on
this occasion Mr. Adams observed, that he took that opportue.
nity of writing more contumaciously than ever—and how ? by
defending the paragraph already published Another serious
charge brought against Mr. B. was, that he had inserted a let-
ter concerning the payment of the Bridal officers. And after
all, what came. of this ? Mr. Buckinghuni 'gave up the
author, and the Government, satisfied of the justice of
the observations, caused the system to be altered. All
these were triumphs to Mr. B. In no one instance was he found
to be in the wrong—in no one instance was a charge made
against hlin. The eighth charge was for inserting a letter,
signed " A Friend to a Lady on her Death-bed," and which
canvassed the right of the Chaplains employed at the military
stations to leave theie stations and travel long distances to
perform the marriage or other ceremonies. The letter.-stated,
that it had been asserted, though no doubt erroneously, that
the Bishop of Calcutta had given orders to the Chaplain, so
employed, to obey no military or civil regulations. Oa the
appearance of this letter the Bishop complained to the Govern-
ment, and at his instigation Mr. Buckingham was rebuked.--
This happened in the month of July ; on the 25th of October
a letter was published by Mr. Buckingham, signed " Sant
Sobersides," which alluded to the conduct of the Secretaries
of Government ; in consequence this prosecution was in-
stituted by them, and in the following February Mr. Buck-
ingham was pronounced , Not Guilty. The final charge, and
diet which caused his banishment, was some observations
on the appointment' of Dr. Bryce to the office of Clerk to,
the Commissioners of Stationary. For this good humoured
squib (and he might here observe, that Dr. Brycei sp.
pointment had given great disgust in Scotland, and that the
), Mr.
d his
lofficeti Buckingham
ihnagt
abr
le nhsai..dinitlAro. elbiptlifeaaenestbmitnhooslicfsiejsfixhrwaopele e instruction
lubae
expelled
ptilbeior Courtdnm sahuAmofftimoh: r
ee
snehgotde r
st 0
uf:teilltinne good ittraoretnyeaa:tbt
jot
otyrvanisgee
to all
cirvireaecttsionruianned_dr
s. Ikt
was, hi fact, the bestowing of supreme power that effected all
this
had cinhaisncgbeidefit
pot when raised to the highest pinnacle in India. •
.Mr. Drain; observed that it was hardly fair to introduce
Lord Amherst in the present case.
Mr, EINZIAIRD said that the present was an affair of India,
and that in fact Lord Amherst had behaved, if possible, worse
than Mr. Adam, for Mr. Buckingham had been allowed. 10
return to England, while Arnot had been sent first to Scram.
pc:rseeip,ra.arDntid.cluxalofatrenrcwsasusebrd,mansittiatßhtlehntacootallrdeisn Meeting —a most unhealthy climate.
duced into it. Amhersthcaodulednnlyottobedoinwtroith.

The CHAIRwax observed that the Requisition particularly
mentioned Mr. Arnot's case.
Mr. Kt x'sratitti then proceeded. He would not take up the
time of the Court by reading extracts from The .John Bull
in the East, which, though chiefly written by the Government
Secretaries, was one of the most scurrilous papers he ,eves
now. What Buckingham had been banished for, had caused
the proceeding against Arnot, for it was an allusion to that
paragraph that had caused the Government to act against the
latter gentleman, and such was their rancour, that imaidetter
from %lessrs. Alexander. it was stated that they were unable to
obtain a renewal of the licence as long as the paper remained
under the same Constitution that it then was, or, In other wordee
while it was in the possession of Mr. Buckingham. It would
belie the public press that the Proprietors would become SCA
quainted with the conduct and public services of their servants
in India ; till that was established it would he impossible to de-
stroy the accursed feeling that existed among the civil authorities
abroad, and that had been so sharps thorn in the side of Lord
Hastings; this was but the commencement of those proceed*
ings, and had he not believed that the public mind was Alai
prepared for the subject, lie would not have been so anxious
in bringing them forward. The Hon. Proprietor concluded bet
moving for all the Minutes, Correspondence, and Proceeding''
in and between the Government of Calcutta, the Court of
Directors, and the Board of Controul, with respect to the Pub,
tic Press of India since the year 1818.—(Applause.) •
Mr. lui'sr (a Director) was of opinion that with respect to
thetase of one individual_ Mr. Arnot—whose name weitentru.
duced amongst many other topics touched upon in the very
long speech of the Honourable Member, the absence of that
individual should be a reason why the Court should abstain
from the consideration of his case now. If it were now to be
considered, it would be a partial line df conduct to investigate
the abuses complained of before they were supplied with the
justification of their Government in India, which was accuse'.
—(Hear !)—As neither Mr. Arnot, nor the explanation of Go'
venni= t, had yet reached this country, he was satisfied the Coot
would feel the unfairness of entering into the subject.—(llea*
hear !)---With respect to Mr. Buckingham, he had made an
appeal from the decision of the Government in India to the
Court of Directors, and secondly to the Board of Controul.
—By both the conduct of the local Government was g•
proved, and both refused to disturb their decision. UP!:
Buckingham had any cause of complaint against the Coital'
of Calcutta for any injury he sustained in his property, a Conde_
Of Justice was the proper tribunal to which to appeal. If,'"
were aggrieved, a jury would no doubt award him ample olle'
mages_tliat was a case for his own consideration—but was ono
which, as brought before this Cou rt, should be considered as cora*
non judice. This he should consider a complete and decisive
answer to the Hon. Gentleman, but as the legality of the proceed'
ings in respect to Mr. Buckingham, and also the policy of the
Government in not upholding a free press had been called into
question, as well as die charecter of Mr. Adams severely anion'
adverted upon, lie would trespass a few observations on these
points. The Hon. Gentleman here proceeded to read the OW
ral provisions of the statutes, which pointed out the nature
and extent of the powers so exercised br Governors.Genend
and the Council in India, with a view of establLshing the legsl4l
of the authority which therGovernor and Council exercisedoe•
Much reliance had been placed upon the suspension of the Coe
sorehip of the press in India, and the substitution of tke re"
striction in its stead, as though it were intended by thileidb*
Stitution to establish a free press in India. Such was not du;
intention of the change, and the restrictions which prohibited
any.ofiltnsive commentary on the exinduct of the Government in
India ; any publication disrespectful to the Court of Direct( ri
or the Board of Controul, and which contained various (41'1
prohibitory regulations, fell far short of the idea we tbrl''
In this country of what constituted a free press. it
was not to be wondered at, therefore, that Mr. CO;
ning, in the House of Commons, laughed at the idea 01
considering these regulations as the establishment of a free pr el
in India. Such was as remote from the intention with wince
the censorship was removed, as it would be inconsistent with
the state of the population of India. Mr. Buckingham had pet
to complain of any exercise of harsh or arbitrary power: The,
first infraction of the restrictions instituted by the Marmite to
Wellesley, was in a libel written by o
Mr. Buckingham on thl
Governor of Madras, in 1819. This called for the -
expression of the censure of Government, whereupon xeir;
'I
Buckingham made an ample apology, and accompanied
expression of regret with a promise that the offence should.n"s
he repeated; but a short period was scarcely permitted tu
elapse, before a similar attack was made on the same Clovein°l.l
and this attack was followed up by numerous attacks 'on insnl
other persons connected with the Indian Government. Tba
Marquis of Hastings himself, in his capacity of Commander"
in-Chief—the Bishop of Calcutta *and the Clergy—the vlbct:
Administration, were made subjects of general and indiscrilni
nate censure. He really was not disposed to admire the 0_1::
bearance which induced the Marquis of Hastings not to have, ex,
ercised the power vested in him, which he was at length obigeZ
to resort to, by the open defiance of Government by Mr. nne:a
ingham. But 'he would maintain, that so far from iferi
Hastings not agreeing in opinion with the Council (as had
been asserted), lie expressed in a letter, which was to be fours
in
thepersnieseteessd
ed. The strongest warning on this subject was to be Peep
iitny
tohfesucpnrusreessiitnghadtheayoupvta.

r

in this document, which established the co-operation of the
31arquis of Hastings, and his full concurrence in the proceed-
ings of the rest of the Government. With respect to the conduct
of ,lift. ADAM, during his administration, he had been fur-
nished since he came into Court with three testimonials highly
honourable to the ability with which he discharged the duties of
the situation to which he had been called. These acknowledg-
ments of his services were to be found in a letter of the Governor
of Bombay to a near relative, dated the 14th of August, 1823,
which stated the general sentiment of respect and admiration
that prevailed towards him throughout all India. The second
acknowledgment was contained in the approbation of a general
meeting of the inhabitants of Calcutta, at the expiration of the
period af his administration, in which approbation the very Mr.
Palmer, whose recommendation of Mr. Buckingham had been
so strongly relied upon by his advocate, that day concurred, as
did alio the gentleman (31 r. Fergusson ) who had been his Counsel
in India.—(Loud cries of Hear !)—The third and last testimony
in favour of Mr. Adam's conduct was that of LonD Aet F. R T,
who accompanied the expression of the satisfactory manner in
which he hail administered the affairs of India, with an expres-
sion of regret that his state of health was such as would deprive
him of his future assistance--:as, by losing that assistance, he
felt that he hail lost " the staff on which he had principally
leant." This he thought was a satisfactory vindication of Mr.
Adam against the imputations thrown out against him. As
to a free press in India, it should be remembered that all
institutions in society were relative to the degree in which
they promoted the happiness of the community into which
they were introduced. And as one institution may be well
calculated for a people in an advanced state of civilization,
so it may be very unfit for the well-being of a people who
were not se.—(Hear !)—This was a consideration peculiarly ap-
plicable to the state of the press in this country and in India.—
A free press was well suited to a free country, but was incon.
sistent with such a despotic Government as prevailed in India.
It would only teach the people there that a toreign yoke oug!it
to be shaken off—that every country had a right to its own
peculiar form of laws and government, and would terminate in
stimulating a slave population to subvert the present Govern-
ment, and establish a dominion of their own, and enrich them-
selves with the plunder and rapine of the Indian empire. The
Rose Geolleman proceeded to point out the incompatibility of
the present situation of society in India with the establishment
of 4 free press ; and concluded a very able speech, by proposing
an amendment "to atljourn generally," which ho subsequently
withdrew, as he thought it would be the better way directly to
negative the proposition of the Honourable Mover.
Sir J. AlatcoLlit knew Mr. Adam for 30 years, and felt it
his duty to vindicate his character from the aspersions which
had been thrown upon it. He never met a man of more sound
judgment, calm temper, and deliberate wisdom. From a know-
ledge formed by experience, ho was of opinion that a free liress
was a dangerous and unnecessary institution to establish there.
There was not in India, as in England, a public formed of arti-
sans merchants, and other such classes. The Europeans were
mostly either in the military or civil service. This was not what
was meant by the public in England. For such persons a free
press was unnecessary. And for the natives it was dangerous to
introduce, as it supplied them with notions of government and
law, which, from the nature of our connexion, it was impossible
they could practically enjoy. The lion. Baronet went into an
intimating detail of the state of society in India; and although
he admired the talent and industry of Mr. Buckingham, yet
he approved of the conduct of Government in discountenancing
the establishment of a free press, which was not suited to the
infant state of society there.
Mr. Dtxoer never heard his Hon. Friend (Mr. Kinnaird)
under more distressing circumstances than on the present occa-
sion. Notwithstanding the ingenuity with which he had en.
deavoured to disentangle the Marquis of Hastings from the con.
duct of the Indian Government towards Mr. Buckingham, it
satisfactorily appeared lie was a party to those proceedings—
" Keep me front my friends" was an adage of which they had
that day a specimen in the advocacy of the Honourable Gentle-
men. Mr. Buckingham went out as a free mariner : he was
heard of only, however, as n political writer on public affairs ;
he was adverse to the establishment of a free press in India, on
the grounds stated, as unnecessary and dangerous.
bar C. Fosses thotight, certainly, thar India did not admit
of .% free press, but neither had he any doubt that Mr. Buck-
inghem had been maltreated. There was, he granted, no proof
before them of the malice of the Government, but if any cre-
dence was to be placed in the documents that had that day
been read, there could be no doubt of the existence of much
malice. People might say a great deal about not allowing the
natives or that colony to write about these things, but it was
not possible to prevent them front talking about them, and that
would be sufficient to do infinite mischief—(liear, hear 1)—
Much justice remained to be done to that country, for we did
not hold the natives by their affectione, but by their fears ; they
were held by the sword, anti the worst of it was, that that sword
was in the hands of the natives, who might, at any time, turn
it against ourselves.
- Mr. Hu Ass said, that as the hour was so very late, he trusted
that the Court would consent to an adjournment of the question
10 a future day.
This motion was secondeti by Mr. KIWWitIII3.
General linowx said, that after 30 years continual read.
denee in India, he was full/ impressed with the persuasion that
a free press_ was incompatible with the interests of that coun-
try. He opposed the original motion.
A PROPRIETOR, whose name we could not learn, admired
the moderate admonition of the Government to Mr. Bucking.
ham, even on his own shelving ; and considering what the law
was, and how frequently Mr. Buckingham infringed it, he was
surprised at the extraordinary lenity that had been evinced to-
wards
that Gentleman. lie thought that no case had been
made out for the production of the papers, and therefore he
opposed the motion.
Mr. THANT said a few words expressive of his approbation
dike conduct of Government towards Mr. Buckingham.
The CHAIRMAN then put the question, that this Court ad-
journ till Friday week, which was negatived.
On putting the original question, Mr. Knoratnii trusted,
as a great number of Gentlemen on his side of the Court
had retired, owing to previous engagements, that the Court
would not insist upon putting the question then. It was a
trick unworthy of them, anti it would not succeed, for he had
in his pocket a requisition, signed by nine Proprietors, ready
to hand to the Secretary to convene another Meeting to the
same purpose. If it stood still now they would disgrace them-
selves, and be the laughing-stock of the public. 'rite question
must be fully discussed.
Mr. BUCKINGHAM was extremely desirous that the ques-
tion should be postponed to a future day.
The CHAIRMAN said, that the word trick" had been used
unfairly, for it was their own choice that the Members had
withdrawn, and indeed no great support seemed to have been
given to the motion, for out of nine Members who had signed
the requisition, only four had attended.
After a few words from Sir C. Fo RIMS and the CHAIRMAN,
Mr. Kinnlard's question of the Papers was put and negatived
by a large majority.
The Court broke up at seven o'clock.