March 14, 1839.

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Objections to a free press in Malta.

I am one of those who have always thought, that if there existed any part of her majesty’s dominions in which a free press was not necessary, Malta was that part.  Our business there is to maintain a garrison and a great naval station.  Malta contains a population of 100,000 persons, for whom I entertain the highest respect and regard, being convinced that her majesty has no better or more devoted subjects than they are.  It is the duty of government, and the duty of this house, as far as it can, to superintend the good government of the people of Malta—­a people who talk the Maltese language, and the Maltese language alone—­a people, of whom not one in 500 can read a line.  Surely, of all the institutions of this country which are the least necessary for men of this description, and I declare my belief that it is a true description of the people of Malta, I may venture to assert a free press is that one institution.  I will not dispute that hereafter much good may arise from a free press, but education is much more necessary for the people of Malta.  A free press cannot be rendered useful to them, much less advantageous, without that training which they require, and that education which ought to be given to them.  There is a certain liberal set of gentlemen in this country who think a free press in Malta exceedingly desirable, not for the sake of any advantage to the inhabitants, but for the sake of the advantage to be produced on the neighbouring coast of France, and Spain, and Italy.  This is the truth with respect to this free press. * * I believe that we have now had enough of private wars, and I believe that we now seek what advantage it would have been, if we had never undertaken those private wars, not only in other parts of the world, but also a little nearer home.  I must say that the objects of them are inconsistent with the interests—­aye, and inconsistent with the honour—­of this country; inconsistent with the interests of the country, because, as I always have maintained, and always shall maintain, the interests of this country must depend, not only on the maintenance of peace for itself, but on its preventing, if possible, disturbances among other nations; and inconsistent with its honour, because I will say, that its honour does depend on not exciting rebellions and insurrections in other nations, at the same moment that the government here is ostensibly at peace with those nations.  Now, that is the ground on which I have always objected to a free press in Malta.  I object to it, because I contend that the intention entertained is to have a free press, not for Malta, but for the neighbouring regions of Italy, France, and Spain; and if you must have a free press for the Maltese, in the name of God let it be in the Maltese language!

April 30, 1839.

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