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    that in every former case of suppression , several previous admonitions have been given ; whereas , in the present case , although I am informed that the general tenour of the articles of the Calcutta Chronicle has heen considered , for some time past , highly disrespectful , yet the withdrawal of the license is sudden and

    unexpected , and has not been preceded by any authoritative warning , to which it would have been my duty , my interest , and my inclination , to attend . " Knowing the difficulties and dangers that beset the path of an Indian Editor , 1 was originally induced to allow my name to be sent into Government , in that character , with extreme unwillingness ,

    which was vanquished chiefly by the hope of being instrumental in saving from destruction the property of a poor man , vested in a paper that had incurred the displeasure of Government ; and the leniency shewn by Government in that case , subsequently , encouraged me to embark property , on my own account ,

    in a similar concern . I venture to hope , that an engagement thus commenced , for the benefit of another , will not be terminated , by the fiat of his Lordship in Council , to my great loss , without any premonition for my guard and guidance . I have only to add , that should his Lordship in Council be pleased to extend to me the same consideration which has

    been bestowed upon others m similar circumstances , it will be my earnest endeavour to avoid whatever may appear likely to be deemed a violation of the Press Regulations . " I have the honour to be , Sir , " Your obedient servant , " W . ADAM , " Sole Proprietor of the Calcutta Chronicle . " Calcutta , SlstMay , 1827 . "

    ' « To Mr . William Adam . " Sir , " Your letter of yesterday ' s date having been laid before Government , I am desired to inform you that the Right Honourable the Vice-President in Council does not think it necessary to make any more specific reference to the objectionable passages contained in the Calcutta Chronicle of the 2 i ) th ultimo , than was done in my communication of yesterday .

    " 2 nd . I am desired to add , that the remainder of your letter requires no other reply , than that the warnings publicly given to other editors were sufficient for your information , and that Government doca not see At to accede to your

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    application for permission to continue the publication of the Calcutta Chronicle . " 1 am , Sir , " Your obedient servant , " C . LUSHINGTON , * ' Chief Secretary to the Government . " Council Chamber , 1 st June , 1827 . "

    " The suppression of a paper in Calcutta , by the mandate of Government , is not a new thing ; but the suppression of the * Calcutta Chronicle' is attended by circumstances of a peculiar nature , which furnish some novel illustration of the state of law and government in this country . It is not , however , the intention of

    the proprietor to offer those reflections which suggest themselves to his mind on this occasion , because , from higher considerations than a regard to his own personal convenience or safety , he is desirous of avoiding a course that might subject him to the penalty of transmission , to which , as a British-born subject , he is liable .

    " He must , however , be permitted to express his regret , that ' the Right Honourable the Vice-President in Council does not think it necessary to make any more specific reference to the objectionable passages contained in the Calcutta Chronicle , ' than a bare mention of the paper of the 29 th tilt ., as it has generally been considered necessary to let a culprit

    know why and wherefore , on what specific grounds and evidence , he is convicted , condemned , and punished . There cannot be a stronger or clearer proof of the uncertainty of the law regarding the press , and the difficulty , if not impossibility , of escaping from its penalties , than the fact , that of different individuals of

    great judgment and experience , who have attempted to specify the offensive paragraphs , each has differed from all the rest , and no one , as far as the proprietor can learn , has fixed upon the paragraph which he happens to know , on good authority , was the ostensible reason for suppressing the paper .

    ** Arrangemeufcs are in progress for the purchase of the stock aud printing materials of the late Calcutta Chronicle , by an individual who may probably possess sufficient penetration to understand , and prudence to observe , the Press Regulations . Should this individual succeed in obtaining a license for a newspaper , it will be forwarded to the subscribers of the late Calcutta Chronicle , with the strongest recommendation of its Editor , who is satisfied that it will be found to merit their support .

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    Intelligence *—Foreign : India , 141

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1828, page 141, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2557/page/69/