The Statesman.
London, England, 1814-08-08 00:00:00

nistration are now convinced, that they cannot at-
tain their objects by •ar ; and they mast now try
somethineelse!"
4. Gentleman from Patuxent, Jane 24, informs,
It a British party, a Serjeant of Marines and
*liven seamen, was surprised near Benedict, by a
a►atl party of troops. Five of the seamen were
'liken, and two escaped; but the Serjeant fought
desperately ;—attacked by three horsemen, he killed
ase, badly wounded the other two, and escaped
over a fence ; but was pursued and overtaken in a
, marsh, where the Briton fell, after receiving se►eral
„Aronnds, the last of which nearly severed his head
4rom Ms body.
Commodore Chioncey's squadron, at the latest
- dates, was said to be waiting for seamen, who are
on their way from the eastern ports.

The importance of a free press, as a guarantee fol
the liberties of a nation, cannot be too highly esti-
snated: Wllit a fair and rational portion of this
freedom, no people can be enslaved—without it,
stone can long remain free. The new Constituted
Authorities of France have commenced their public

tarter, by discussing the plan of a law on this pri-
Weaary and momentous subject. The projet of this
tow oar, in the early part of last month, sent by the

' King to the Chamber of Deputies, the leading ob-
ject of which was to impose a previous Ceesorehip
ispost all those works of a size that were calculated
for general reading. Among these Were included
• pamphlets and journals—the maximum of size
being flied at thirty sheets.—The Chamber.
of Deputies referred the mid to their Central
Committee, which has, through its organ, M. RAY.
Neekno, delivered in its Report, whicb contains
A. stroll ettipmendation of the rejection of the
Prq*. Tfie Chamber were to take this Report of
• their Committee into consideration last Friday, the
result -of which we are waiting for with anxiety. This
is the first time the Xing has come in contact with
his Chamber of Deputies, and the final decision will
better ensile us to judge of the views and strength
of the contending parties, than any other occurrence
that has taken piaci in France, since the restoration
• •,
et, the BounisoNS, will go a great way toueter
mine whether Frisks late relapse into the old state
of disgusting despotism, in retain such a portion of
liberty, as shall io some degree reward her for the
sufferings she has endured, and the calamities that
have convulsed her through the long and stormy
period of the most tremendous revolution with which
the world is acquainted. The debate in the Chem-
highest degree
embers on each
the Secretary's
in the discus.
Tines Paper
but the same
are too live.
ly and ardent a people to bear the touch of daily in-
flammatory matter without explosion." That is to
say, that they are, from some cause, physical or
morel, or both, Incapable of estimating the value of
rational liberty, and unworthy of its enjoyment—
that the national misfortunes of France have pro.
dosed no alteration in her they have
neither changed her temper nor improved her
•nderstanding, and at the very moment she is
allowed, in all other respects, to be one of the
most civilized nations on earth, she is said to have
remained stationary in political wisdom, and utterly
disqualified to make any advance from that point of
hopeless stupidity. Had the writer only recol.

ed A

lected the test, on which his remarks were in-
tended as a comment, he would have found a com-
, Vete refutation of this silly and common-place de-
stlaroation. He would have seen, not only that
ti,AllsottaßD, but that a majority of the Central
,Committee, however " lively and ardent," were
'ldeally acquainted with the great advantages to
be derive.! from a free Press, to vote for the re-
jection of the King's prqjet---it circumstance which
proves, at least, that there are some Frenchmenwho still
kilo* how to prize liberty, and to struggle for its at-
tainment. The same journal, too, thinks that the vir-
tue* of the sovereign of France are tolerable securities
egailut an abuse of power under any system At' rule.
Ttriels far, very far indeed, from being our opinion.
be to that nation who has no better securities
for the enjoyment of property.; liberty, and life,
.than the sirtues of a.king ! Could they have made
such a King as their own HENRY IV. immortal, the
lrepct. might have advanced such an argument with
same better grace. But while the character of their
1
successors must always he a matter of uncertain
sontingeney, and while indeed their owl; views, mo-
tives., and feelings, are constantly changing, the best
and wisest of Kings can afford no stable and lasting
Security for the preservation of Civil and Religions
Liberty. Where the law governs alike king and
pepple, apt nation is free—where the king's will is,
iris, call'ilte government by what name you still, the
peopte ere shires.

PARIS, Au°. 3.—Tice effect of the King's Decree,
if 26th July, 1811, is this, it permits the exporta-
tion of corn, flour, and vrgetahles. These articles
will have to pay a halance duty, and other articles
will continue subject to their former duties.
M. Bouvet de Lozier is appointed Governor of the
Wand of Bamboo.
On the ¶2S h ult. the French troops entered Boor-
&aux, after the fortunate 'Vents which have restored
to Frapceitof3itimate Priticeiir
•

,

.. ,

ber is expected to be long, and in the hi
interesting, as no less than forty Memi
side, Lave inscribed their names at thi
qicr, us Rledge for theietakteg part
jaangiiiikielealOPelitted to Elrod,
- r wouM decidedly foie for its rejection ; I
Journal will'have it, 66 that the French

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