The Government law against the Press of France was voted
on Saturday, in the Chamber of Deputies, by a majority of 226 to 153. The only material alteration was the reduction of the deposit or cautionnement on the daily journals, from 8000/. to 40001.; this was effected on the• motion of the celebrated printer FIRMIN Di DOT.
The Peers of France are proceeding with the tyrannical mea- sures of the Ministers; and on Tuesday passed the Jury law, by 74 to 25. The law against the Press was referred to a Com- mittee on the same day, after strenuous opposition from the Mar- quis DE DREUX BREZE.
M. RASPAIL, editor of the Reformateur, appealed to the Royal Court against the sentence of two years' imprisonment and five years' surveillance passed upon him by one of the Judges in an inferior court. It will be recollected that he offended the func- tionary in question by some warm language, uttered when in a state of irritation caused by his arrest on the wretched pretence of his being an accomplice of FIESCHI. The Royal Court remitted the five years' surveillance, but confirmed his term of imprison- ment. This is one of the most infamous acts of Louis PHILIP'S subservient Judges. We yet trust, that before M.RASPAIL'S term of imprisonment is over, the tyrannical Government by which he is oppressed will be prostrated, and something like civil liberty restored to France. That a violent explosion may occur any day, is very probable. The Paris correspondent of the Times says— "There are reasons for believing, that here, in Paris, the Society of the Rights of Man, and other secret associations, have greatly added to their strength, numerical and otherwise, since the late discussions in the Chamber of Deputies and the strong Ministerial majorities in favour of the law for the abridgment of the liberty of the press."
This was to be expected. The indignation of a spirited people, like the French, will soon find vent, in spite of repressive laws.
At the close of last week, an ex-captain of the National Guard, named PEPIN, said to be a confederate of FIESCHI, was arrested in Paris. He was examined for six hours ; and it was rumoured that among his papers some important memoranda were found, impli- cating many persons in the conspiracy. Much was expected from, the further disclosures of this man; but befote his second examina- tion, he contrived to escape from custody, and has not been dis- covered. QISQUET, the Prefect of Police, now lost the little credit he retained, and it is said he has decamped also.
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