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In the performance of their duties, it is the proud

fate of British officers to traverse the world. The character of our education, the genius of our government, lead us to take a sympathy in the fortunes of men, and to promote their welfare. Under the controul of this feeling I have acted. I have collected and published my own and other men's thoughts on the present, and, highly probable, future influence of the Press in Asia. The cause is noble and of paramount importance to the immediate interests of nearly four-fifths of our fellow-subjects, who pay us, in yearly tribute, about twenty millions sterling.

Regardless of self, my endeavour has been to speak out with truth and impartiality, and by furnishing some information respecting a far distant country, to forward the laudable exertions of those who, from their talents and pursuits, are capable of applying such knowledge to the public advantage. More cannot be expected from a Soldier.

London, April 17, 1823.

Section

XV. Effects of a Free Press on the Administration of Justice

XVI. Effects of a Free Press in preventing Flog

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XVII. Effects of a Free Press on Agriculture
XVIII. On the Dangers of a Free Press

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XIX. On the Licentiousness of a Press under a

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INFLUENCE

OF

THE PRESS IN BRITISH INDIA.

SECTION I.

Introductory.

"The personal rights and civil liberty of the inhabitants of India are in every respect as much under the paternal government of the King, as the rights and privileges of the people of the United Kingdom."-Edinburgh Review.

THE present King of England had the virtue to nominate the Earl of Moira, Governor-General of British India, and to place under his charge about a twelfth part of the human race. The responsibility attached to such a charge is truly awful, and it remains to be proved whether his Lordship has fulfilled the duties of that important station. In these scrutinizing times, when a statesman's merits are under discussion, the plain questions for consideration are, What wrong has he done, and what good has he effected? The public man who cannot endure this ordeal is either doomed to have his name enrolled in the obscure lists of political traders, quacks, rats, sloths, vampires, and other vermin that prey upon the constitution, or to have it "damned to everlasting fame."

The most important maxim of morality and of politics

B

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