 | The history of printing in America, with a biography of printers, and an account of newspapers ... |  |
C. APPENDIX C.
[Page 17.]
As this was the first skirmish between printers of newspapers in
this country, I will give the following particulars respecting it, which
are extracted from the News-Letter and the Gazette. William
Brooker, who succeeded Campbell in the post office, had, in an advertisement,
mentioned his appointment; and that Campbell was
removed from office; this gave offence to Campbell, who endeavored
to make it appear that he was not removed. Brooker then published,
in No. 4 of the Gazette, the following, to substantiate what he had
asserted respecting Campbell. It was inserted in a large type and
filled nearly one half of the Gazette.
"The good Manners and Caution that has been observed in writing
this Paper, 'twas hoped would have prevented any occasion for Controversies
of this kind: But finding a very particular Advertisement
published by Mr. Campbell in his Boston News-Letter of the 4th
Currant, lays me under an absolute Necessity of giving the following
Answer thereunto. Mr Campbell begins in saying, The Nameless
Author—Intimating as if the not mentioning the Author's Name was
a fault; But if he will look over the Papers wrote in England (such
as the London Gazette, Post-Man, and other Papers of Reputation)
he will find their Authors so. As this part of his Advertisement is
not very material, I shall say no more thereon; but proceed to Matters
of more Moment. Mr. Campbell seems somewhat displeased that
the Author says he was removed from being Post-Master. I do hereby
declare I was the Person that wrote the said Preamble, as he calls it;
and think I could not have given his being turn'd out a softer Epithet.
And to convince him (and all Mankind) that it was so, I shall
give the following Demonstrations of it. Many Months before John
Hamilton, Esq; Deputy Post-Master General of North America displaced
the said Mr. Campbell, he received Letters from the Secretary
to the Right Honourable the Post-Master General of Great Britain,
&c., that there had been several Complaints made against him, and
necessary. Mr. Hamilton for some time delayed it, till on the 13th
of September 1718, he appointed me to succeed him, with the same
Salary and other just Allowances, according to the Establishment of
the Office; and if Mr. Campbell had any other, they were both unjust
and unwarrantable, and he ought not to mention them. As soon
as I was put into possession of the Office, Mr. Hamilton wrote a Letter
to the Right Honourable the Post-Master General, acquainting them
he had removed Mr. Campbell and appointed me in his room—Mr.
Campbell goes on; saying, I was superceded by Mr. Musgrave from
England. To make him appear also mistaken in this Point; Mr.
Hamilton not displacing him as soon as was expected, the Right Honourable
the Post-Master General appointed Mr. Philip Musgrave by
their Deputation dated June 27, 1718, to be their Deputy Post-Master
of Boston; and in a Letter brought by him from the Right Honourable
the Post-Master General to John Hamilton Esq; mention is
made, that for the many Complaints that were made against Mr.
Campbell, they had thought it fit to remove him, and appoint Mr.
Musgrave in his stead, who was nominated Post-Master of Boston
almost three months before I succeeded Mr Campbell, which has
obliged me to make it appear that he was either removed, turned out,
displaced, or superceded Twice. The last thing I am to speak to is,
Mr. Campbell says, It is amiss to represent, that People remote have
been prevented from having the News-Paper. I do pray he will
again read over my Introduction, and then he will find there is no
words there advanced, that will admit of such an Interpretation.
There is nothing herein contained but what is unquestionably True;
therefore I shall take my leave of him, wishing him all desireable
Success in his agreeable News-Letter, assuring him I have neither
Capacity nor Inclination, to answer any more of his like Advertisements.
To the foregoing Campbell made this answer in the News-Letter of
Jan. 18, 1719–20, viz.
"Perhaps a long Reply may be expected from the Publisher of
this Intelligence to the Introductions of his Successor's News, especially
unworthy either of his trouble to Answer, or the Candid
unprejudiced Readers to hear; who only affirms he was not turn'd
out, but resigned voluntarily in December, 1717, two years before
their first News Paper, and continued nine Months afterward, till the
13th of September, 1718, Fifteen Months before their first News,
when the Deputy Post-Master General had provided another."
No. 6. of Bos. Gaz. contains Brooker's reply, which is as follows,
☞ Since against plain matter of Fact, Mr. Campbell has charged
me a second time with unjust Reflections, unworthy either his Trouble
to answer, or the Unprejudiced Reader to hear, I do again Affirm
he was turn'd out, notwithstanding his pretended Resignation: And
I hope he will not oblige me (against my Inclination) to say Things
which perhaps may be a greater Reflection on his Candour, and to
his Ears, then to the Unprejudiced Reader's.
| The history of printing in America, with a biography of printers, and an account of newspapers ... | |