University of Virginia Library

I. APPENDIX I.

[Page 291.]

Green's Handbill, and the depositions consequent thereon, which
were all published at the time, will give the reader some idea of the
state of the press in New England in 1700. I have taken them
from a copy in my possession; they are as follow.

"The Printers Advertisement."

"Whereas there is Prefixed unto a late Pamphlet, Entituled, Gospel
Order Revived, Printed at New-York, An Advertisement, which
runs in these words, viz. The Reader is desired to take Notice, that
the Press in Boston is so much under the aw of the Reverend Author,
whom we answer, and his Friends, that we could not obtain of the
Printer there to Print the following Sheets, which is the only true
Reason why we have sent the Copy so far for its Impression, and
where it is Printed with some Difficulty. I count my self bound in
Justice unto all Persons aspers'd by that Advertisement, to Declare
and Publish to the World the Truth of the matter, which briefly is
this: Certain Persons bringing to the Press, the Pamphlet above
mentioned, after some Discourse concerning the number of Copies
and Price, I Consented to its being Published: But when they insisted
upon doing it with Secresy, I considered that for aught I knew
Good men in the Country might be Offended at it: Therefore I only
proposed this Reasonable thing, That before I proceeded, I might
mention to His Honor the Lieutenant Governour, what was offered to
the Press; This they denied me; But when they angrily went away
some of my last words to them were, That I did not refuse to Print it.
And neither the Reverend Præsident of the Colledge, nor any of his
Friends, ever spoke one word unto me to Discourage my Printing of
it.

Remarks.[1]

"The Printer having by this Advertisement Vindicated those
that were unworthily reflected on in the Advertisement, Prefixed
to the above mentioned Libellous Pamphlet, (which no man is
as yet so Hardy as to own himself to be the Author of) the world
may Judge of other things contained therein by this. It will in
due Time appear, that besides the Profane Scoffs and Scurrilities,
(not only on particular persons, who never deserved such Treatments,
but also on the Holy Churches of the Lord, and on the
most Sacred Actions performed in them, which is the Spirit of their
whole Pamphlet—as if they had designed to have that Scripture fulfilled
upon them. 2. Tim. 2.9. They shall proceed no further, for
their folly shall be manifest to all men—besides all this, it will appear
that there are other more Impudent Falsehoods than that in
their Advertisement, which the Printer in Boston, has (as became an
Honest and Just man) made a discovery of.

"Dated in Boston, December 24th, 1700."

"The depositions of Thomas Brattle, Gent. and Zechariah Tuthill,
Merchant.

"These Deponents say, That on Saturday, the 13th of July last,
they went to Bartholomew Green's to Treat with him about Printing
an answer to Old Mr. Mather's Book, called, The Order of the Gospel:
Who, after he had taken said Answer into his hands, and seen both
what it was, and how much there was of it, told them he reckoned
Three Sheets of Paper might contain it, and seven Ream of Paper
Print about a Thousand of them; for which they agreed with him
for Twenty Shillings the sheet. He made not any Objection to them
against Printing said Answer; only said he could not go about it,
till he had Printed off the Laws, which would not be till the Tuesday
following. They further say, There was never any other person that
brought said Answer to the Press, but the deponents; and they never
brought it, but at this time. But neither did the said Green propose
to them the mentioning to his Honour the Lieutenant Governour,

what was offered to the Press, nor did they deny it him; nor
did they go away in any Anger from him, nor did they hear him say
any such word: (That he did not refuse to print it), all which the
said Green in his late Advertisement of 21th Instant most unfairly
Declares, That certain persons bringing to the Press the Answer
above mentioned, did.

   

	"Tho. Brattle.
"Boston, Dec. 27, 1700.	"Zech Tuthill.

The Subscribers offering to make Oath to what is above written,
the same being several times distinctly read over in the hearing of Bartholomew
Green, he owned the same to be what passed between him and
them.

 

"Coram, Isaac Addington, Nathaniel Byfield.

Justices of the Peace."

"The Depositions of John Mico & Zechariah Tuthill, Merchants.

"These Deponents say, That on or about the 16th of July last, they
went to Bartholomew Green's to see if he were ready to Print the Answer
to Old Mr. Mather's Gospel Order, but he was then unwilling to
Print it because (as he said) it would displease some of his Friends;
and to the best of their remembrance, he mentioned particularly the
Mathers. They told him it was strange he would Print any thing for
the said Mathers, and particularly the said Gospel Order, and nothing
in Answer to it or them, by which means the World might think
those Principles to be approved by all, which were abhorred by sundry
Worthy Ministers in the Land. The unfairness of which practice
they laboured to convince him of, yet he still declined to Print
it; but at length said, if they would admit the Lieutenant Governor
to be askt, to give his Approbation to it, he would Print it; which
they were unwilling to for this reason: Because they conceived it a
new Method, not practised heretofore, and which the said Green
would not have required of them now, but to put off the Printing
of this Book which answered the Mathers, whom he seemed loth to
displease. These Deponents hereupon asked said Printer, whether

he had his Honours leave to Print the Gospel Order? he said, he
had not. They then asked him if he would Print this, if Young
Mr. Mather would be Imprimatur to it? he readily said, he would.
Then they told him, it was a shame so Worthy a Minister as Mr.
Stoddard must send so far as England to have his book printed,
when young Mr. Mather had the Press at his pleasure? To which
he replied, he hoped Mr. Mather was another guess man than Mr.
Stoddard. At length they told him, if he would not Print it, they
would have it Printed elsewhere; but did not hear him say those
words in his Advertisement of the 21st Instant, namely, That he did
not refuse to print it.

"Boston, December 27, 1700.

"John Mico
Zech Tuthill."

"Sworn by the two persons Subscribing, Bartholomew Green being
present, and excepting against those words in the Evidence; particularly
the Mathers, and that he would Print it, if young Mr. Mather
would be Imprimatur to it: Also affirming he said those words, He
did not refuse to Print it, and nothing further.

 

"Coram, Isaac Addington, Nathanel Byfield.

Justices of the Peace."

"Mr. Green the Printer, being by these Depositions Convicted of
sundry Mistakes in his late Advertisement, so that his Folly and
theirs who set him on work is manifest unto all men; there is just
reason to suspect the truth of what he saith in the Fag-end of his
Advertisement, that neither the Reverend Præsident, nor any of his
Friends ever spoke a word to him to discourage his printing the
Answer to the Order of the Gospel. But whether that be true or false,
concerns not the Advertisement prefix'd to said Answer, which saith
nothing of any one speaking to the Printer, to discourage him; but
only that his Press was so much under the aw of the Reverend Author
and his friends, that we could not obtain of him to Print it; Than
which nothing can be more evident from these Depositions, which
say, The said Printer after he had positively agreed for the Printing
said Answer, fell off from his Bargain, and declin'd to Print it, because
it would displease some of his Friends, and particularly the

Mathers, who are known by all to have been his particular Friends
and Imployers. So that the Reverend Author of that Libellous
Scribble, at the tail of said Green's Advertisement (to which the Reverend
Author was not yet so Hardy as to set his Name) had no reason
to Reflect as he did on the Advertisement prefix'd to said Answer,
or to Boast of the Printer's Vindication, but might be asham'd of
both. As for the prophane Scoffs and Scurrilities not only on particular
persons, but on the Holy Churches of the Lord, and the most
Sacred Actions therein performed (by which are meant O HORRIBLE!
his two dear and precious Creatures, RELATIONS and the
CHURCH COVENANT,) which that infamous Scribble saith, is
the Spirit of the whole Answer, and those other Falsehoods it is
threatened shall appear therein; they are but Bruta Fulmina to
fright and scare the poor deluded, bigotted people withal, which is
the very Spirit and Quintessence of the Reverend Scribler. But all
these little Artifices and Cavils were plainly foreseen, and so fully
provided against by the Ingenious Authors of said Answer, that
there's no need of taking any further notice of them here.

"I shall therefore at present say no more, but that the World may
Judg what base and injurious treatment that Answer must expect
from its Enraged Adversaries, by what is contained in that one little
Canting, Scandalous Libel, wherein there are far more profane
Scoffs, Scurrilities and Impudent Falsehoods, than are in all that
GREAT and NOBLE and EXCELLENT ANSWER.

The Deposition of Bartholomew Green Printer.

"Who Testifies and Says, That on Saturday, some time last
Summer, Mr. Thomas Brattle, and Mr. Zech. Tuthill came to my
Work House in Boston, and brought with them a Manuscript of
small Writing for me to Print; and calling me aside to one end of
the Room, desired me to be private in it, and to keep it from the
Mathers; informing me that it was an Answer to Old Mr. Mathers
Book, of the Order of the Gospel. And after I had taken it into
my hand, Mr. Brattle told me, it was not yet ready, he would Transcribe

it. They asked me how much I thought it would make: I
answered, Three Sheets, or something more, in Octavo; and told
them I could not do it before the Laws were Printed, which would
be next Monday or Tuesday. They asked me how much Paper
Three Sheets would take to Print a Thousand: I answered about
Seven Ream. They asked me how much I would have a Sheet; I
answered, Two and Twenty Shillings. They said, I could do it
cheaper. I reply'd, Mr. Brattle was very curious in Correcting.
They told me, That would be for my Credit, or to that purpose.
After some other words I consented to do it for Twenty Shilling
Per Sheet: Whereupon they told me, they would have the Paper
of Mr. George; and so went away, taking the Copy with them.
After they were gone, it came into my mind what great disturbance
the Manifesto had made (which I Printed very privately at said
Tuthill's desire) which made me the more thoughtful, lest this might
give more Offence. Yet for all, I went not to the Reverend Præsident;
neither did I receive any Discouragement from him, or any of his
Friends, as to my Printing of it.

"The Monday or Tuesday following, Mr. Zechariah Tuthill came
alone to my Printing House, where I was, and guessing at his Business,
I desired him to walk out with me. Then I told him, I was
much concern'd about the Book, and prayed him to tell me who was
the Author of it. What? said he, Now you have been with Mr.
Mather. To which I replied, I have not. Whereupon he said,
There are three or four that are the Authors of it. Then I desired
only that I might mention it to the Lieutenant Governour, or ask his
Approbation; which said I, I ought to do in Books of Controversy.
Mr. Tuthill seem'd to be willing I should; which greatly satisfied
me. And understanding His Honour was to be in Town that day,
I was to wait on him for that end. This is the substance of what
pass'd between Mr. Tuthill and me.

"A little while after, in the same day, Mr. John Mico, and the
said Mr. Zechariah Tuthill came to me to my Printing Room, and
charged me by no means to go to the Lieutenant Governour, for
they would not have him know of it. After this, there passed some
discourse concerning Mr. Increase Mather's Book, the Order of the
Gospel, and of Mr. Stoddard's Book, of Instituted Churches, as I

understood. Mr. Mico asked me if it were not pity, or a shame,
that such a man as Mr. Stoddard should send so far as England to
have his Book Printed. The Answer to which I do not justly
remember, nor for what reason he spake it to me: for Mr. Stoddard's
Book was never offered me to Print; by himself or any other person.
Afterward Mr. Mico said to me, Well! you do refuse to Print it,
meaning the Manuscript that was an Answer to Mr. Increase
Mather's Order of the Gospel. I answered No, I do not refuse to
Print it: but am not willing to do it without the Lieutenant Governor's
Leave, or to that purpose. Whereupon they said they
would have it printed elsewhere; and went away in some Anger.

"Boston Jan. 4th, 1700,—1.   Bartholomew Green."

"Boston Jan. 4th, 1700,—1.   Sworn by Barthol. Green,
Printer; Mr. Thomas Brattle, Mr. John Mico, and Mr. Zechariah.
Tuthill, being Notified and Present.

 

"Coram Nobis.

Samuel Sewall. Peter Sergeant. Penn Townsend.

Justices of the Peace"

The Deposition of John Allen and Timothy Green, Printers.

"These Deponents can and do Testify, That being at Barthomew
Green's Printing house at or about the 13th of July 1700. Where
Mr. Thomas Brattle and Mr. Zechariah Tuthill came, and call'd
the said Green aside to another part of the Room, where they had
some Private Discourse; which said Green afterwards informed us,
that it was to Print an Answer to Mr. Mather's Order of the Gospel.
Some few days after, the aforesaid Zechariah Tuthill came alone to
the aforesaid Printing-House, where we also then were. And the
said Green and Tuthill went out together, and had some discourse
together. After the said Tuthill was gone, the said Green told us
that he had proposed to the said Tuthill the acquainting the Lieutenant
Governour with it before he proceeded in doing it; which
the said Green said, that the said Tuthill was willing to: Whereat
the said Green seem'd mightily well pleased. But some time after
in the same day, came the aforesaid Tuthill with Mr. John Mico to
the aforesaid Printing house; and we do Testify that we heard the
said Mico forbid the said Green acquainting the Lieutenant Governour
with it; but that he should say nothing of it. Other discourse

happened, which we took not much notice of. But this we
can, and do Testify to, That we heard the said Mr. John Mico, or
Tuthill, one of them say, Well! or What, then you Refuse to Print
it. Unto which the said Green Replyed, No, I do not Refuse to
Print it: but am unwilling without the Lieutenant Governour's
Leave, or Approbation. Hereupon they went away seemingly Angry,
saying, We will have it Printed elsewhere.

     

"Boston January 4th.	"John Allen.
"1700.	Timothy Green."
"1701. [N. S.]

"Boston Jan. 4, 1700, 1. Sworn by the Subscribers, John Allen,
and Timothy Green; Mr. Thomas Brattle, and Mr. John Mico,
and Mr. Zechariah Tuthill being Notified and Present.

 

"Coram Nobis

Samuel Sewall. Peter Sergeant. Penn Townsend.

Justices of the Peace"

To the Candid READER.

"THE shortness of my Advertisement of the 21st of December,
1700, having rendred it less intelligible, & given Occasion for some
Exceptions that have been since taken against it: for this reason I
have explained it in the Foregoing Depositions. As also because
there being no mention made in the Deposition of Mr. Thomas
Brattle and Mr. Zechariah Tuthill of the 27th of December, of
their speaking to me to Print their Copy privately; some might
happily think, I Owned that they did not speak to me to do it privately:
Whenas I declar'd to the contrary. And some might think
and boast, that I had Owned, that I had most untruly, or at least
most unfairly declared in my said Advertisement: Which I never
did Own; neither doth the Attestation of the Honourable Justices
Import I did.

"And because what pass'd between Mr. Zechariah Tuthill & me
singly, is wholly Omitted in both the Depositions said Tuthill was
concerned in.

"The Sum is, Whenas no Name appeared in the Title Page; nor
so much as the Name of any Author was told me, when I requested
it; & I had no opportunity to read it over my self; the Piece

being also Controversal: I concluded it would be altogether inconvenient
for me to Print it upon my own head without asking advice;
for which I referr'd myself to the Honourable WILLIAM STOUGHTON,
Esq; our Lieutenant Governour, who became Commander
in Chief of the Province before the Week was out. For His Excellency
the Lord BELLOMONT, our Governour, began his Voyage
to New York, upon Wednesday the 17th of July, 1700. the very
next day after Mr. Mico and Mr. Tuthill were with me. Nor was
it a new thing to show Copies to the Lieutenant Governour in order
to their being Printed. Mr. Sewall's Phænomena Apocalyptica was
taken off the Press, and carried to the Lieutenant Governour for his
Allowance. By the same Token, one Half Sheet being wrought off
too soon: the Author was at the Charge to Print it over again, to
gratify His Honour in some Alterations that could not otherwise be
made. Besides other Instances that might be given. And considering
the Lieut. Governours Eminent Qualification to judge of Books;
the Station God has given him in the New English Church; and
the good Offices he has done for Mr. Benjamin Colman and his
Church in particular: Every one that is not a Stranger in Boston
may wonder at it, that a Book Dedicated to the Churches of Christ
in N. England, a motion to have it first view'd by his Honour,
should be rejected with so much Disdain. For my own part, The
obstinate Refusal of so fair an Arbiter, made me fear some foul
Play: which is the principal Aw that I remember my self to have
been under.

"In fine, the Maintenance of my self & Family of small Children,
depending under God, upon the good will of them that please to set
me on Work, I have no intent to provoke or affront any person or
Order of men; but to oblige them so far as is consistent with clearing
of my Reputation; which (as little and low as I am) ought to be
more eligible to me than much gainful business. And now having
truly and uprightly given an Account of my doing in this matter, I
humbly submit it to the Charitable Censure of every judicious &
Impartial Reader.