On this day, the British government in India suppressed Calcutta Chronicle, a popular newspaper. It had been started in January 1827 by William Adam, after he separated from another newspaper, Bengal Chronicle. “The success of the paper surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the proprietors”, but invited the government’s wrath.
In a letter dated May, 31, 1827, the government informed the paper of its decision. The letter was addressed to William Adam and Villiers Holcroft, proprietors of the Calcutta Chronicle, and said: “Gentlemen : — The general tenor of the contents of the Calcutta Chronicle having been for some time past highly disrespectful to the Government and to the Hon’ble the Court of Directors, and the paper of the 29th instant in particular, comprising several paragraphs in direct violation of the Regulations regarding the Press, I am directed to inform you that the Right Hon’ble the VicePresident in Council (Lord Combermere) has resolved that the license granted to you (on the 25th January last) for the printing and publishing of the Calcutta Chronicle be cancelled, and it is hereby cancelled accordingly from the present date.
I am etc.
C. Lushington
Chief Secretary to Government”
