Virginia Argus

MARQUIS WELLESLEY.
From the London Courier of Jan. 2.
It is well known that in addition to other serious charges which were brought forward against this nobleman for his conduct in India, he was considered as having done more than any of his predecessors in annihilating the freedom of the press throughout that large portion of his majesty's dominions: in proof of which, we submit to our readers the following Asiatic Edict of his lordship, for the regulation, or more correctly speaking, the annihilation of every vestige of the liberty of the press. An edict which exhibits principles of the most despotic kind, totally incompatible with the British constitution, and which must excite in the bosom of every Briton the utmost indignation.

Regulations respecting the publications of News Papers, viz.
1. Every printer of a News Paper to print his name at the bottom of the paper.
2. Every editor or proprietor of a paper to deliver in his name and place of abode, to the secretary of government.
3. No paper to be published on a Sunday.
4. No paper to be published at all, until it shall have been previously inspected by the secretary to the government or by a person authorised by him for that purpose.
5. The penalty for offending against any of the above regulations to be immediate embarkation for Europe.

Rules for the guidance of secretaries to the government in revising the news papers.
1. All observations on the state of public credit or the revenues, or the finances of the company.
2. All observations respecting the embarkation of troops, stores, or specie; or respecting any naval or military preparation whatever.
3. All intelligence respecting the destination of any ships, or the expectation of any, whether belonging to the company or to individuals.
4. All observations with respect to the conduct of government, or any of its officers, civil or military, marine, commercial or judicial.
5. All private scandal or libels on individuals.
6. All sentiments with regard to the probability of war or peace, between the company and any of the native powers.
7. All observations tending to convey information to an enemy, or to excite alarm or commotion within the company's territories.
8. The republication of such passages from the European news papers as may tend to affect the influence and credit of the British power with the native states.