If

law of nations, may be reciprocally and rightfully claimed by independent powers in a state of peace. any such delinquents should be really found among the emigrants, Captain Cox should be authorised to deliver them up.

"I trust that these suggestions will enable you to act immediately in this embarrassing business; when I shall receive the letters of the Burmahs from Calcutta, I will forward any further observations which may arise from an examination of their contents.

"Believe me, my dear Sir, &c.

"MORNINGTON."

TO HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR ALURED CLARKE, K. B. (Private and Secret. Original by the Peggy. Duplicate by Express.) "Fort St. George, 4th May, 1799.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"The enclosed intelligence from Bombay will show you that my uniform expectation is now verified. Buonaparte is established in Egypt, has fortified Suez, and is collecting craft at the head of the Arabian Gulf. No news of Blankett. The season being now open for coming down the Arabian Gulf, and a possibility existing that some part of the French force may escape the vigilance of our cruisers, it is become necessary to look to the protection of every point which the enemy may attempt, and to take the best precautions for our security.

"It is a considerable time since I recommended to your attention the consideration of such measures as might be adopted to defend Calcutta against the ef*The Admiral.

fects of any sudden enterprise. I am persuaded that you have taken the best practicable measures for that purpose, and that you have turned your mind to the means of frustrating any attack, either directly from the river or from the side of Chittagong. I think it would be advisable immediately to prepare gun-boats and such armed vessels as you deem expedient to cruise off the Sand Heads; I trust Captain Cooke may be well enough to assist in the preparations of such naval defences as may appear necessary and practicable. The French prisoners and French inhabitants of Calcutta and of the provinces now demand the most vigilant control. As some of the King's ships will constantly be here during the ensuing monsoon, I think it would be more advisable to send the prisoners here than to Ceylon for convoy; the Nonsuch might convey them to this place with, perhaps, some additional aid.

"The number of French established at Calcutta and in the provinces, is now a most alarming evil : I must request you will immediately institute a most active inquiry into the state of their numbers and conduct; and that you will send to Europe, without hesitation, every man who cannot give you a satisfactory account of his principles and connections. At Calcutta there are not less than one hundred and fifty French,-all, I believe, dangerous subjects. They abound in Chittagong, where not a Frenchman should be left on any account. It would also be desirable to send to Europe as many as possible of the inhabitants of Chandernagore. In the name of the French, I mean to include all foreign Europeans connected

with France. At Chinsurah there are many most malevolent persons who ought to be sent to Europe. In the interior of our provinces every Frenchman indiscriminately ought to be taken up and sent to Calcutta, and from thence, if a suspicious character, to Europe. At Calcutta, M. Vialars is stated to be of so turbulent a character that he ought not to be suffered to remain in India. You should also send away the two persons whose names I enclose. It appears to me that you cannot give too serious an attention to this point; for, if Buonaparte should ever reach India, I need not say what the conduct of all the French within our provinces would be. I recommend Mr. Macklen as a person who can give you information relative to the French in Calcutta. The magistrates of the cities and districts must assist you in the provinces.

"Our last authentic accounts from the army were dated the 18th of April; reports have reached me from various quarters, by which it is certain that the siege is proceeding rapidly; I keep a vessel in readiness to despatch express to you whenever I shall receive a decisive account. I believe nobody will now contest the policy of my measures for the early reduction of Tippoo.

"I have concealed my knowledge of Buonaparte's condition, and I request you to do the same; perhaps, however, the Bombay Courier may divulge the whole.

"I think, under the present circumstances, the 86th ought to be sent to Bombay whenever it shall arrive let me have your opinion on the subject.

VOL. I.

T

"I send this letter by sea, and overland in duplicate (both by express), as I think not a moment is to be lost in taking the precautions which I have stated.

"I understand that there are now at Calcutta several persons from Botany Bay; they should all be embarked for Europe without a single exception, -men, women, and children.

"Although our militia has manifested much zeal, it is deficient in one material respect; no place or signal of rendezvous has yet been fixed for the moment of danger. This point demands immediate attention.

"I have not in this letter given a positive instruction for the removal of the French indiscriminately, but I wish you to understand that the more you remove the more relief I shall feel from a very serious anxiety. Ever, my dear Sir, with the greatest regard and esteem, yours most faithfully,

"MORNINGTON."

CHAPTER XIII.

Lord Mornington writes to Sir Alured Clarke at Calcutta.- Conspiracy of Shums-oo-Doulah.-The Mainspring of Government only to be touched by the Principal Mover.-Apprehensions of an Attack on Calcutta. Buonaparte in Egypt.-The Nabob of Bengal.-General Stewart's Operations against Vizier Ali. Success in Mysore.Anxiety at Cooke's Illness.-The Calcutta Newspapers.-Lord Mornington strongly censures their Conduct.- Declares his intention of adopting Harsh Measures towards the Editors.-Orders, in the case of the refractory, that their Papers should be suppressed by force, and their Persons sent to Europe.-The Discoveries in Bengal.-Success of the Army against Tippoo.-Disposition of the Forces.-Vizier Ali. -Oude.-The Indian Press.-The Mirror, the Telegraph, and the Post.-Reprobates their Conduct.-Orders Mr. Bruce to be embarked for Europe.-New Regulations for the Newspapers.-Penalty of any Infraction of them.-Establishes a Censorship.-Remarks on these Proceedings.-Their arbitrary Character condemned.-Lord Wellesley's Authority cited by Sir J. Malcolm, in 1822, in favour of a Censorship on the Press.—Evidence of Thomas Love Peacock, Esq., 1834. -Suppressed Passage in the Report of Major Kirkpatrick.-Reference to these Proceedings omitted in the published Dispatches of Lord Wellesley.-Inferences from these Facts.

THE following letters, which are principally interesting in consequence of their development of the Earl of Mornington's views and feelings with respect to the freedom of the press in India, were written, as the reader will observe from the date and place from whence they are addressed, from Madras to the Commander-in-Chief in Bengal.