University of Virginia Library

MASSACHUSETTS.

BOSTON.

There was not a newspaper published in the English
colonies, throughout the extensive continent of North America,
until the 24th of April, 1704.

John Campbell, a Scotchman, who was a bookseller and
postmaster in Boston, was the first[1] who began and established
a publication of this kind. It was entitled,

It is printed on half a sheet of pot paper, with a small
pica type, folio. The first page is filled with an extract

from The London Flying Post, respecting the pretender, who
styled himself James VIII of Scotland, sending popish
missionaries from France into Scotland, &c., by which the
kingdoms of England and Scotland were endangered. The
queen's speech to both houses of parliament on that occasion,
a few articles under the Boston head, four short
paragraphs of marine intelligence from New York, Philadelphia,
and New London, and one advertisement, form its
whole contents. The advertisement is from Campbell, the
proprietor of the paper, and is as follows:

"This News Letter is to be continued Weekly; and all
Persons who have any Houses, Lands, Tenements, Farmes,
Ships, Vessels, Goods, Wares or Merchandizes, &c., to be
Sold or Lett; or Servants Runaway; or Goods Stoll or
Lost, may have the same Inserted at a Reasonable Rate;
from Twelve Pence to Five Shillings, and not to exceed:
Who may agree with Nicholas Boone for the same at his
Shop next door to Major Davis's, Apothecary in Boston
near the Old Meeting House.

"All Persons in Town and Country may have said News-Letter
Weekly upon reasonable tearms, agreeing with John
Campbell Post Master for the same." The imprint is
"Boston: Printed by B. Green. Sold by Nicholas Boone
at his Shop near the Old Meeting-House." Green was
Campbell's printer, and Boone was for some weeks his publisher.

No. 2, is a whole sheet of pot, folio, three pages of which
are printed, and one is blank. Campbell's advertisement is again inserted, and a single new one is added.

In No. 4, Campbell desires those who wish to have advertisements
inserted in the News-Letter, to apply to him.

Boone's name is left out of the imprint of No. 5, and
"Sold at the Post Office" is inserted.

From No. 2, to No. 6, the News-Letter is contained on
half of a pot sheet; and very few advertisements appear,

some weeks not any. From No. 6 to No. 192, it is printed
on a half sheet of foolscap. No. 192 contains only two
short advertisements; and for years after it was but seldom
supplied with more than two, and, often, with not one new
advertisement in the week.

In No. 71, Campbell inserted the following notice.

"At the Desire of several Gentlemen, Merchants and
others, who are willing to Contribute towards supporting
this Publick Print of Intelligence, the Undertaker has begun
where it was left off, in hopes of others following their
good Example, whereby it may be carryed on at least another
year: And therefore all Persons in Town and Country,
who have a mind to encourage the same, may have said
News Letters every week by the year upon reasonable
Terms, agreeing with John Campbell Postmaster of Boston
for the same."

It does not appear that Campbell had discontinued the
paper, and his real meaning where he says he "has begun
where he left off," cannot now be well understood. No.
71, is dated August 24, 1705. It is evident from his advertisements
in the course of this publication, that he
"labored hard to get it along," that he had but very few
subscribers, and that he did not receive much encouragement
from advertising customers.

Bartholomew Green printed the News-Letter for Campbell
until November 3, 1707. No. 176, November 10, 1707,
is "printed by John Allen, in Pudding Lane near the Post Office,
and there to be Sold."

In No. 190, Campbell informs "all who have a mind to
encourage this Letter of Intelligence," to agree with him,
"Post Master of New England, at Boston."

In No. 210, four years after the first publication, Campbell
inserted the following advertisement. "This being
the last day of the fourth Quarter of this Letter of Intelligence:
All persons in Town and Country, who have not

already paid for this fourth Year are hereby desired now
to pay or send it in; with their resolution if they would
have it continued and proceeded on for a fifth year (Life
permitted); which is only to be known by the number
that take it weekly throughout the year; though there
has not as yet a competent number appeared to take it
annually so as to enable the Undertaker to carry it on
effectually; yet he is still willing to proceed with it, if
those Gentlemen that have this last year lent their helping
hand to support it, continue still of the same mind another
year, in hopes that those who have hitherto been
backward to promote such a Publick Good will at last set
in with it."

No. 390, completed four years printing of the News-Letter
by John Allen in Pudding lane. On the evening following
the day on which No. 390 was published, namely,
October 2, 1711, happened what, from that time until 1760,
was called the great fire in Boston. The postoffice and
Allen's printing house were consumed in that conflagration.
The following week the News-Letter was again
printed at Green's printing house in Newbury street, with
this imprint, "Boston: Printed in Newbury Street, for John
Campbell Post Master," which remained unaltered until
October 1715. No. 391 contains an account of the fire.
See Appendix B.

In October, 1715, B. Green added his name to the imprint,
as the printer.

No. 664 begins the year 1717 with January—the News-Letter
had previously begun the year with March. Although
this paper had at that time been published thirteen
years it still languished for the want of due support, as
appears by an address from Campbell to the public.

It was the design of Campbell that the News-Letter
should give a selected, regular succession of foreign events;
but the smallness of his paper rendered it impossible for

him to publish occurrences seasonably; and at the close
of the year he found himself greatly in arrears with his
foreign intelligence. In Nos. 769 and 799, he proposes a
remedy for this difficulty, which will, perhaps, be best understood
in his own words, and may give a correct idea of
the state of the News-Letter at that period.

"After near upon Fourteen Years experience, The Undertaker
knows that it's Impossible with half a Sheet in
the Week to carry on all the Publick News of Europe,
(tho' hitherto all those of Great Britian, Ireland, our own
and our Neighbour Provinces has been Yearly Inserted).
He now intends to make up that Deficiency by Printing a
Sheet every other Week for Tryal, by which in a little
time, all will become new that us'd formerly to be Old.
Jan'y. 12, 1719."

"The Undertaker of this News-Letter, the 12th January
last being the Second Week of this Currant Years Intelligence,
gave then Intimation that after 14 (now upwards of
15) years experience, it was impossible with half a Sheet a
Week to carry on all the Public Occurrences of Europe,
with those of this, our Neighbouring Provinces, and the
West Indies. To make up which Deficiency, and the
News Newer and more acceptable, he has since Printed
every other Week a Sheet, whereby that which seem'd
Old in the former half Sheets, becomes New now by the
Sheet, which is easy to be seen by any one who will be
at the pains to trace back former years; and even this
time 12 Months, we were then 13 Months behind with the
Foreign News beyond Great Britain, and now less than
Five Months, so that by the Sheet we have retrieved about 8
months since January last, and any One that has the News
Letter since that time, to January next (life permitted) will
be accommodated with all the News of Europe &c., contained
in the Publick Prints of London that are needful for to be
known in these parts. And in regard the Undertaker had

not suitable encouragement, even to Print half a Sheet
Weekly, seeing that he cannot vend 300 at an Impression,
tho' some ignorantly concludes he Sells upwards of a
Thousand: far less is he able to Print a Sheet every other
week, without an Addition of 4, 6 or 8 Shillings a Year,
as every one thinks fit to give payable Quarterly, which
will only help to pay for Press and Paper, giving his Labour
for nothing. And considering the great Charge he
is at for several Setts of Public Prints, by sundry Vessels
from London, with the price of Press, Paper, Labour, carrying
out the News Papers, and his own Trouble, in collecting
and composing, &c. It is afforded by the Year, or
by the Piece or Paper, including the difference of Money
far cheaper than in England, where they Sell several Hundreds
nay Thousands of Copies to a very small number
vended here. Such therefore as have not already paid for
the half Year past the last Monday of June, are hereby desired
to send or pay in the same to John Campbell at his
House in Cornhill, Boston. August 10, 1719."

Campbell's difficulties increased. A new postmaster
had just been appointed, and in the December following
the publication of the foregoing advertisements, that
postmaster began publishing another newspaper. Campbell
appeared to be displeased; a "paper war" of short
duration ensued. (See Appendix C.) Both papers were
continued; and advertising customers began to increase.

In No. 821, January 11, 1721, Campbell again addressed
his customers, and informed them, "This Publick Letter
of Intelligence was begun here at Boston by John Campbell
the 24th of April 1704, near upon Sixteen Years ago,
and ever since continued Weekly with Universal Approbation
and General Satisfaction, giving a true Account of
all the Publick Affairs of Europe, with those of this and
the Neighbouring Provinces, for the Interest and Advantage

of the Post Office, Gentlemen, Merchants and others, both
in Town and Country; and preventing a great many false
Reports. And the Author being still desired and encouraged
to carry on the same by the Gentlemen, Merchants
and others, his usual Customers, he intends (Life
Permitted) to answer their expectation, and to forward still
as regular Account of Affairs as our part of the World
will admit of; If he does not Print a Sheet every other
Week this Winter Time, he designs to make it up in the
Spring, when Ships do arrive from Great Britain. Such
Others as have a mind to promote and encourage the said
Intelligence may agree with John Campbell in Cornhill,
Boston, and have it on reasonable Terms left at any
House in the Town, Seal'd or Unsealed; and for the advantage
of the Post Office an Intire Sheet of Paper, one
half with the News, and the other half good writing Paper
to write their Letter on, may also be had there for any
one that pleases to have it every Monday."

By the latter part of this advertisement we are to understand,
that some copies of the News Letter would every
Monday be printed on a whole sheet of writing paper, one
half of which would be blank, on which letters might be
written and sent abroad through the medium of the post
office; the accommodation was the saving of postage, as
a letter and a newspaper might be forwarded in the same
sheet; and newspapers thus printed, were sold by Campbell
at his house in Cornhill.

In No. 876, December 26, 1720, Campbell, in an address
to the public, mentioned, that he had published the News-Letter
"near upon Seventeen Years," and that it was "the
first and only intelligence on the Continent of America, till
about a Year past, one was set up at Philadelphia and another
here, and how well either the one or the other has
answered the said Design, and People's great Expectation,
is left with every one to Determine." He informs his

readers that, "he designs (God willing) to carry it on
another year," with the usual proviso, that "he is Encouraged
by a competant Numbers taking it by the Year, to
enable him to defray the necessary charges of Press, Paper,
the Publick Prints, and Writing of the same."

On the 7th of August, 1721, a third newspaper in Boston
was published, entitled The New England Courant.[3] The
publisher of that paper, in an address to the public, hinted
that the News Letter was "a dull vehicle of intelligence,"
&c. This appears to have nettled Campbell, who in his
next News-Letter of Monday, August 14, made the following
defence.

"☞N. B. On Monday last, the 7th Currant, came
forth a Third Newspaper in this Town, Entituled, The New
England Courant, by Homo non unius Negotii,[4] Or, Jack of
all Trades, and it would seem Good at none, giving some
very, very frothy fulsome Account of himself; but lest the
continuance of that stile should offend his readers, wherein
with submission, (I speak for the Publisher of this Intelligence,
whose endeavours has always been to give no
offence, not meddling with things out of his Province)
the said Jack promises in pretence of Friendship to the
other News-Publishers to amend, like soure Ale in Summer,
Reflecting too too much, that my performances are now
and then very, very Dull, Misrepresenting my candid endeavours
(according to the Talent of my Capacity and Education,
not soaring above my Sphere) in giving a true and
genuine account of all Matters of Fact, both Foreign and
Domestick, as comes any way well Attested, for these Seventeen
Years & an half past. It is often observed, a bright
Morning is succeeded by a dark Rainy Day, and so much
Mercury in the beginning may end in Album Grœcum.
And seeing our New Gentleman seems to be a Scholer of

Accademical Learning, (which I pretend not to, the more
my unhappiness, and too late to say, O mihi prœteritos referat
si Jupiter Annos) and better qualified to perform a work
of this Nature, for want whereof out of a design for publick
good made me at first at the Sollicitation of several Gentlemen,
Merchants and Others, come into it, according to the
Proverb, thinking that half a Loafe was better than no
Bread; often wishing and desiring in Print that such a
one would undertake it, and then no one should sooner
come into it and pay more Yearly to carry it on than this
Publisher, and none appearing then, nor since, (others being
judges) to excell him in their performances, made him to
continue. And our New Publisher being a Scholler and
Master, he should (me thinks) have given us (whom he
terms low, flat and dull) Admonition and told one and the
other wherein our Dulness lay, (that we might be better
Proficients for the future, Whither in reading, hearing, or
pains taking, to write, gather, collect and insert the Publick
Occurrences) before publick Censure, and a good example
to copy and write after, and not tell us and the
World at his first setting out, that he'l be like us in doing
as we have done, Turpe est Doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum.
And now all my Latin being spent excepting what I design
always to remember, Nemo sine crimine vivit, I promise for
my part so soon as he or any Scholler will Undertake my
hitherto Task, and Endeavours, giving proof that he will
not be very, very Dull, I shall not only desist for his advantage,
but also so far as capable Assist such a good
Scribe."

I have a file of the New England Courant for the first
two years of its publication, with the exception of the first
sixteen numbers, which are wanting. I cannot, therefore,
give Franklin's reply to Campbell; but the spirit of it is
to be discovered from Campbell's rejoinder, published in
the News Letter, August 28, 1721, viz.:

☞"J. C. to Jack Dullman[5] sendeth, Greeting.

"Sir, What you call a Satyrical Advertisement was a
just Vindication of my News Letter, from some unfair
Reflections, in your introduction to your first Courant.
Your reply in hobling Verse, had they more Reason and
less Railing might possibly have inclined me to think you
was some Man of great Learning, or as you please to Word
it, a Meikle Man; but Railery is the talent of a mean Spirit,
and not to be returned by me. In honour to the Muses I
dare not acknowledge your Poem to be from Parnassus;
but as a little before the Composure you had been Rakeing
in the Dunghill, its more probable the corrupt Steams
got into your Brains, and your Dullcold Skul precipitate
them into Ribaldry. I observe you are not always the
same, your History of Inoculation intends the Publick
Good,[6] but Letter to Mr. Compton and Rhyme to me
smell more of the Ale Tub than the Lamp. I do not envy
your skill in Anatomy, and your accurate discovery of the
Gall Bladder, nor your Geography of the Dunghill (natale
solum.) You say your Ale grows better, but have a care
you do not Bottle it too New, lest the Bottles fly and wet
your Toyes. You say you are the Wiseman, and his
Advice is, Prov. xxvi. Ver. 4. Answer not a fool according
to his folly, lest thou be like unto him. And not very disagreeable
to what I learned when a School Boy.

"Contra verbosos, noli contendere verbis.

"Against a man of wind spend not thy Breath. Therefore
I conclude with Verbum Sapienti,

"Tutius est, igitur fictis contendere verbis,

"Quam pugnare manu.    Vale.

"Since like the Indian Natives, you Delight,

to murder in the dark, eshun and fly the light,
Farewel."

This rivalship produced a whole sheet weekly from
Campbell for about two months, after which the News-Letter,
like the Gazette and Courant, was reduced to a
half sheet weekly.

In January, 1722, Campbell announced in his usual
manner his intention to continue the News-Letter another
year; but before the close of it, he resigned his right to his
printer, Bartholomew Green. Campbell had published this
paper eighteen years; and, during that period, had met
with many difficulties, and received but little encouragement.
The undertaking could not have been attended
with profit; for the expense of paper, printing, and European
publications from which he selected information, must
have swallowed up the proceeds from his small number of
subscribers.

"Published by Authority," had been omitted in the title
of the News-Letter for two years before Campbell resigned
it, but was resumed when Green began to print it on his
own account; and the day of its publication was changed
from Monday to Thursday.

When Green became the proprietor of the News-Letter,
great difference of opinion existed in the colony respecting
the concerns of church and state, as well as concerning
matters of a more local nature, and the spirit of party ran
high. A writer of that day observes, "The press has long
groaned in bringing forth an hateful but numerous brood
of party pamphlets, malicious scribbles, and Billingsgate
ribaldry, which have produced rancor and bitterness, and
unhappily soured and leavened the tempers of persons
formerly esteemed some of the most sweet and amiable.[7]

Green appeared to possess a disposition to publish an impartial
and chaste paper, and in conformity to this inclination,
he inserted in the News-Letter March 7, 1723, the
following address to the public.

☞"The Design of this Paper is not merely to amuse
the Reader; much less to Gratify any Ill Tempers by Reproach
or Redicule, to Promote Contention, or Espouse any
Party among us. The Publisher on the contrary, laments
our Dangerous and unhappy Divisions; and he would
always approve himself as a Peaceable Friend and Servant
to all, and unkind to none; nor would he ever render Evil
for Evil, either by action, speaking or writing. He longs
for the Blissful Times when Wars shall cease to the Ends
of the Earth. He would rather Endeavour his utmost to
advance an universal Concord and Harmony; were it not
for fear of adding Oyl to the Flames, and he Remembers
the Fable which shows him the Danger of Interceding between
Fierce and Contending Enemies. The Publisher
would therefore strive to oblige all his Readers by Publishing
those Transactions only, that have no Relation to any
of our Quarrels, and may be equally entertaining to the
greatest Adversaries. For this end, he Proposes to extend
his Paper to the History of Nature among us, as well as of
Political and Foreign Affairs. And agreeable to this Design,
he Desires of all Ingenious Gentlemen, in every
part of the Country, to communicate the Remarkable
Things they observe; and he Desires them to send their
Accounts Post-Free, and nothing but what they assuredly
know; and they shall be very gratefully Receiv'd and
Publish'd: That so this Paper may, in some Degree,
serve for the Philosophical Transactions of New England, as
well as for a Political History; and the Things worthy of
Recording in this as well as in other Parts of the
World, may not proceed to sink into eternal Oblivion as
they have done in all the past Ages of the Aboriginal and
Ancient Inhabitants."

In 1725, "Published by Authority," again disappeared
from the title of the News-Letter. Green continued its
publication without any thing particular attending it, until

the last week of December 1726, No. 1196. The week
following he altered its title to The Weekly News-Letter,
and began this alteration of title with No. 1, and discontinued
"the method of carrying on a Thread of occurrences
of an Old Date;" intending to publish weekly
the latest intelligence he could procure. The paper, with
the alteration of title, progressed to No. 200, October 29,
1730; Green then added the No. 200 of the Weekly News-Letter,
to the former number 1196 of the Boston News-Letter,
and the following week began with No. 1397, and
combined the former and the latter title, calling it The
Boston Weekly News-Letter.[8] On this occasion he published
the following advertisement, viz.:

"The Publisher of this Boston News-Letter, having in
concert with the late Mr. Campbell, began to Print the
same with Numb. 1, on April 24, 1704, and it being carried
on with the History of Publick Affairs to No. 1196, which
was on December 29, 1726, and then with January 5th,
1726–7, began with a new Number which amounted on the
last Thursday to 200. It is now tho't adviseable to add the
said Number 200, to the former 1196, which makes 1396,
the whole of our Number from the said 24th of April, 1704,
and now go on with Numb. 1397," &c.

No other alteration in the News-Letter took place during
its publication by Green. He dying, John Draper succeeded
him, and began the publication of the News-Letter
January 4, 1733. He announced it as follows.

☞"Mr. Bartholomew Green, who has for some
Years past been the Publisher of this Boston Weekly News-Letter,
being dead, this is to Inform the Publick in general,
and those who are the Customers for it in particular,
that it will be yet carried on, and sent out every Week
on Thursday Morning at the usual Price by John Draper,

(Son-in-Law to the said Mr. Green) who has been an
Assistant with him in the said News-Letter: And, that
Care will be yet constantly taken to insert therein all the
most remarkable Occurrences, both Foreign and Domestick,
that come to hand well attested. And all the Rev.
Ministers, or other Gentlemen, both of Town and Country,
who may at any time receive any thing worthy of publishing,
are desired to send it to the said John Draper,
at the Printing-House in Newbury-Street, that lately belong'd
to the said Mr. Green deceas'd, and it will be
thankfully received, and communicated to the Publick:
And it will yet be endeavoured to render This Weekly
Paper as informing and entertaining as possibly can be, to
the Satisfaction of all who do or may encourage it."

Draper printed the News Letter thirty years. He died
in November, 1762, and his son Richard Draper continued
its publication. At that time, the title was enlarged as
follows: The Boston Weekly News Letter and New England
Chronicle. In about a year the title was again altered to
The Massachusetts Gazette; and Boston Newes Letter, and
was decorated with the king's arms.[9] Richard Draper,
about this time, took his kinsman Samuel as a partner,
and the imprint ran thus: "Published by Richard Draper,
Printer to the Governor and Council, and by Samuel
Draper, at the Printing Office in Newbury Street." After
the death of Samuel Draper, Richard remained several
years without a partner.

In May, 1768, a singular disposition was made of the
paper. The dispute between Great Britain and the colonies
induced the government particularly to patronize
The Massachusetts Gazette, and another paper, the Boston
Post Boy and Advertiser, printed by Green and Russell.

To give them the features and the consequence of governmental
papers, the publishers of them were directed to
insert in the title of each paper, "Published by Authority."
The News Letter was published on Thursdays, and the
Post Boy on Mondays. Each paper was divided into two
equal parts. Half of each paper was entitled, "The
Massachusetts Gazette, Published by Authority;" and
the other half bore their former respective titles. For
instance, the old title of Boston News Letter was reassumed,
and under this title, news and advertisements filled one half
of a whole sheet; the other half of this sheet was entitled,
"The Massachusetts Gazette, Published by Authority;"
the contents of this half, like the other, being news, advertisements,
and, occasionally, the proceedings of government
and public bodies. The same method was taken by Green
and Russell. One half of the sheet bore the title of Post
Boy and Advertiser, and the other half that of "The
Massachusetts Gazette, Published by Authority." Two
hundred and seventy-six weeks previously to this new
mode of publication, Draper had added Massachusetts
Gazette to the title of the News Letter. Green and Russell
began publishing in the mode described, on Monday, and
Draper on Thursday of the week. Green and Russell therefore
numbered that part of their sheet which was to bear the
title of Massachusetts Gazette, 277. Draper on the Thursday
following numbered his 278, and as long as this mode
of publishing the Gazette by authority continued, the
number for one press was reckoned from that of the other.
It was in fact publishing a half sheet Gazette "By Authority"
twice in a week, once by Draper and once by
Green and Russell. Each press furnished the royal arms
for the head of the Gazette.

The first time Draper published this "Adam and Eve
paper," joined together "by authority," the following advertisement
was inserted after the title of the News-Letter.

"The Thursday's paper[10] (the first ever printed in America)
returns to its primitive Title, the Gazette being
directed by Authority to be published in another manner.
The customers will be served with Care and Fidelity;
and those who advertise herein may depend on having
their Notifications well circulated.

"N. B. A Gazette will accompany the News Letter
every Thursday (tho' not always in a separate paper)
Articles of Intelligence and of publick Utility will be
thankfully received, and due notice taken of them by directing
to Richard Draper."

This method of publishing the Gazette was discontinued
at the close of September 1769, and Draper reestablished
the title as it stood at the beginning of May, 1768, viz.
The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston Weekly News Letter.
"Published by Authority," was omitted; but it continued
to be a government paper.

In May, 1774, Draper took John Boyle as a partner in
publishing the News Letter; the next month Draper died.
His widow, Margaret Draper, succeeded him as proprietor
of the paper, and Boyle was for a short time her partner;
but they separated before the commencement of the revolutionary
war. After the war began, John Howe became
her partner, and remained in business with her until the
British troops left Boston in 1776; when the publication
of the News-Letter ceased, and was never revived.

Thus began and ended The Boston News Letter. It
was the first newspaper published in this country, and the
only one printed in Boston during the siege. I have taken
more particular notice of this first paper, than I shall of
those which follow. It was published seventy-two years.

For several years before the revolution, many able
writers on the side of government, and some of its first

officers, under various signatures, appeared in this paper;
and while conducted by Richard Draper, its collection of
news was not inferior to that of any public journal in
Boston.

John Campbell, the first proprietor, lived about five
years after he resigned his right to Green. His death is
thus mentioned in the News Letter of March 7, 1728.
"On Monday Evening last, the 4th Currant, about 8 a Clock,
died here John Campbell, Esq, Aged 75 Years, formerly
Post Master in this Place, Publisher of the Boston News
Letter for many Years, and One of his Majesties Justices
of the Peace for the County of Suffolk."

[ILLUSTRATION]

NEW-ENGLAND.    No. 1.
THE
Boston Gazette.
Ship.    Post
Boy.
Published by Authority.
From Monday December 14, to Monday December 21, 1719.

This newspaper was first published for William Brooker,
who succeeded Campbell as postmaster. It was the
second which made its appearance in British America.

No. 1 was issued from the press on Monday, December
21, 1719, on a half sheet of printing foolscap, on a small
pica type, folio; and it was continued on a half sheet of
that size of paper for several years, excepting occasionally
a whole sheet, and then one page was often left blank. It
had a cut of a ship on the left, and one of a postman on the
right of the title, and was "Published by Authority." Its
imprint was, "Boston: Printed by J. Franklin, and may
be had at the Post Office, where advertisements are taken
in." This paper also began the year with March the first
year, but the following with January.

The appearance of the Gazette[11] occasioned some altercation
between its publisher and the publisher of the News-Letter.
In No. 3, we have the following advertisement.

"Post Office, January 4th. The Approbation this Paper
has already met with from the better Part of the Town, deserves
a suitable Acknowledgment from this office, with
repeated assurances, that it shall be carried on in such a
manner as to render it both beneficial and entertaining."

The proprietor, printer and publisher of the Gazette,
were soon changed. Philip Musgrave succeeded Brooker
as postmaster a few weeks after the Gazette was published.
No. 36, is printed by S. Kneeland; and the imprint of No.
41, is, "Boston Printed by S. Kneeland, for Philip Musgrave,
Post Master, at his Office in Corn-Hill, where Advertisements
are taken in, and all Gentlemen and others, may
be Accommodated with this Paper."

The Gazette was printed by Kneeland for Musgrave until
1726, and that year it was printed by Kneeland for Thomas
Lewis, postmaster.

In 1727, Henry Marshall was postmaster, and the Gazette
had another printer, Bartholomew Green, son of the
printer of the News-Letter. It was printed for Marshall
till May, 1732, when he died, and the Gazette was after
his death published by John Boydell, who succeeded
Marshall, and was again printed by Kneeland and his
partner. In 1734, Ellis Huske, being appointed postmaster,
began the publication of another paper, The Post-Boy; but
Boydell continued to publish the Gazette till he died in
December, 1739;[12] and, it then was printed for his heirs

until October, 1741, when Kneeland & Green became the
proprietors of it. Four postmasters in succession had
conducted The Boston Gazette, before it was owned by
Kneeland & Green. When this paper became their property,
they incorporated it with The New England Weekly
Journal, which they had printed on their own account for
nearly fifteen years. The title was altered to The Boston
Gazette and Weekly Journal, to show that the Journal was
combined with the Gazette. Kneeland & Green continued
to publish the Gazette in this altered form until 1752.
This paper then, after having been published thirty-three
years, was succeeded by another with the same title, which
I shall mention in its place.

When Kneeland & Green began to publish the Gazette
and Journal conjointly, on their own account, they printed
it on a half sheet of paper of the size of foolscap, in quarto,
and introduced new devices. "Published by Authority,"
had been omitted in the title many years.

While the Gazette was printed for Boydell, its size was
altered to a half sheet crown, in quarto; and, after he
quitted the postoffice, the cut of a postman on horseback,
on the right of the title, was exchanged for a pine tree.
When Kneeland & Green began to publish it for themselves,
the cut of a ship was placed on the right of the

title; the pine tree was omitted, and the cut of a news-carrier,
holding a Gazette in his hand, was introduced on
the left. After printing it several years in quarto, they
again printed it on a half sheet foolscap, folio; but occasionally
in quarto. This paper was discontinued in 1752,
on account of the dissolution of the partnership of its publishers.

This was the third newspaper which made its appearance
in Boston. It was first printed and published Monday,
August 17, 1721, by James Franklin, on a half sheet of
crown size printing paper, on a small pica type, occasionally
on long primer, but after two years generally on
pica. It was printed on Saturdays during the latter years
of its publication. Imprint—"Boston: Printed by James
Franklin, in Queen Street, where Advertisements are taken
in."

Among the reasons which induced Franklin to publish
the Courant, probably one, which was not the least considerable,
was grounded on the circumstance of the publisher
of the Gazette having taken the printing of it from
him, and given it to another printer. He warmly attacked
Musgrave, the publisher of the Gazette, in some of the
first numbers of the Courant, and endeavored to have him
turned out of office.

The Courant contained very little news, and very few
advertisements. More than half of the paper was, with few
exceptions, filled weekly with essays, in which men in
office, the clergy, and the prevailing religious opinions of
the day, were attacked. Inoculation for the small pox,
then newly introduced, was warmly, if not rudely, opposed.
A society of gentlemen furnished these essays. By moderate

people this society was called a set of "Free Thinkers;"
by others, it was denominated the "Hell Fire Club." The
essays of this society were at times opposed in the Gazette,
and in the News Letter; and these papers in turn were
warmly attacked in the Courant, but rather by satire than
argument. Some of the essays in the Courant were evidently
written by men of talent.

A periodical paper with these animating features was a
novelty in Boston; and of course attracted general notice,
and soon had warm advocates and zealous opposers. It
roused the attention of the government, and excited clerical
resentment. The reverend Doctor Increase Mather was
one of the first who openly denounced the Courant, by an
address to the public, inserted in the Boston Gazette, January
29, 172½. This address may afford entertainment to
many who are acquainted with the present management
of the press. It is as follows:

"Advice to the Publick from Dr. Increase Mather. Whereas
a wicked Libel called the New England Courant, has represented
me as one among the Supporters of it; I do hereby
declare, that altho' I had paid for two or three of them, I
then, (before the last Courant was published) sent him
word I was extremely offended with it! In special, because
in one of his Vile Courants he insinuates, that if the Ministers
of God approve of a thing, it is a Sign it is of the Devil;
which is a horrid thing to be related! And altho' in one
of the Courants it is declared, that the London Mercury
Sept. 16, 1721, affirms that Great Numbers of Persons in
the City and Suburbs are under the Inoculation of the
Small Pox; In his next Courant he asserts, that it was
some Busy Inoculator, that imposed on the Publick in saying
so; Whereas I myself saw and read those words in the
London Mercury: And he doth frequently abuse the Ministers
of Religion, and many other worthy Persons in a manner,
which is intolerable. For these and such like Reasons

I signified to the Printer, that I would have no more of
their Wicked Courants. I that have known what New England
was from the Beginning, cannot but be troubled to
see the Degeneracy of this Place. I can well remember
when the Civil Government would have taken an effectual
Course to suppress such a Cursed Libel! which if it be not
done I am afraid that some Awful Judgment will come upon
this Land, and that the Wrath of God will arise, and there
will be no Remedy. I cannot but pity poor Franklin, who,
tho' but a Young Man, it may be Speedily he must appear
before the Judgment Seat of God, and what answer will
he give for printing things so vile and abominable? And I
cannot but Advise the Supporters of this Courant to consider
the Consequences of being Partakers in other Mens
Sins, and no more Countenance such a Wicked Paper.
January 24th, 1721."[13]

This address was attacked in the next Courant with considerable
ability; and its writers went on as usual.

The New-England Courant had not been published twelve
months before Franklin was apprehended by an order from
government, and imprisoned four weeks in the common
jail. Besides this punishment of the publisher, the council
further manifested their disapprobation of the Courant by
the following resolve.

The failure of the council to restrain the freedom of the
press in respect to the Courant, and the release of its
printer from imprisonment, encouraged the club to proceed
with increased boldness. An essay published the
week following is thus headed:

The club also published the twenty-ninth chapter of
Magna Charta, with comments;[14] and then applied the
Lash,[15] as it was termed, with the greater energy, especially
to the governor and some of the clergy. The governor soon
after went to England.[16]

On the 14th January, 1723, the council again took The
New-England Courant into consideration, and passed an
order thereon, which was sent down to the house of representatives.
In consequence of which the following act was
passed, and ordered to be published three weeks successively
in The Boston News Letter, and in the Boston Gazette.

"At a great & General Court of Assembly of His
Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, held at
Boston the fifteenth Day of November, 1722.

"In Council, Jan. 14, 1722.[17]

"Whereas the Paper called The New England Courant,
of this Day's date, contains many Passages in which the
Holy Scriptures are perverted, and the Civil government,
Ministers and People of this Province highly reflected on,
Ordered, That William Tailer, Saml. Sewal, and Penn
Townsend, Esqrs. with such as the Honourable House of
Representatives shall join, be a Committee to consider and
Report what is proper for this Court to do thereon.

"Sent down for Concurrence. J. Willard, Secretary."

"In the House of Representatives, Jan. 14th, 1722.
Read and Concurred, and Mr. Fulham, Mr. Remington,
Mr. Stone, and Mr. Knolton be joined with them.

John Clark, Speaker."

"The Committee appointed to consider of the Paper
called The New England Courant, published Monday the
Fourteenth, Currant, are humbly of Opinion that the Tendency
of the said Paper is to mock Religion, and bring it
into Contempt, that the Holy Scriptures are therein profanely
abused, that the Reverend and Faithful Ministers
of the Gospel are injuriously reflected on, His Majesty's
Government affronted, and the Peace and good Order of
His Majesty's Subjects of this Province disturbed, by the
said Courant; And for prevention of the like Offence for
the Future, the Committee humbly propose, That James
Franklin, the Printer and Publisher thereof, be strictly

forbidden by this Court, to Print or Publish the New England
Courant, or any Pamphlet or Paper of the like Nature,
except it be first supervised by the Secretary of this Province;
And the Justices of his Majesty's Sessions of the
Peace for the County of Suffolk, at their next Adjournment,
be directed to take sufficient Bonds of the said Franklin,
for his good Behaviour for Twelve Months Time.

"Per Order of the Committee.

William Tailer."

"In Council Jan. 15th, 1722. Read and Accepted."
"Sent down for Concurrence. J. WILLARD, Secretary."

"In the House of Representatives, Jan. 16, 1722. Read
and Concurr'd. John Clark, Speaker."

"Consented to.    W. Dummer."    A true Copy. Examined
per J. Willard, Secretary."

Notwithstanding this act of government, Franklin published
the Courant on the Monday following without submitting
its contents to the Secretary. For this neglect, a
"Bill of Indictment was some months after preferred to
the grand jury against him for contempt of an order of
the general court." The jury returned Ignoramus on the
bill, but Franklin was bound to the good behavior pursuant
to the order of the General court."

The act of government was voluntarily published in the
Courant; and it also appeared in The American Weekly
Mercury of February 26th, 172 2/3, published in Philadelphia,
with the following severe remarks, which were unquestionably
furnished by the Courant club in Boston, viz.

"My Lord Coke observes, That to punish first and then
enquire, the Law abhors, but here Mr. Franklin has a severe
sentence pass'd upon him even to the taking away Part of
his Livelihood, without being called to make Answer. An
Indifferent Person would judge by this vote against

Couranto, That the Assembly of the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay are made up of Oppressors and Bigots who
make Religion only the Engine of Destruction to the
People; and the rather, because the first Letter in the
Courant of the 14th of January (which the Assembly Censures)
so naturally represents and exposes the Hypocritical
Pretenders to Religion. Indeed, the most famous Politicians
in that Government (as the infamous Gov. D—and his
Family) have ever been remarkable for Hypocrisy; and
it is the general Opinion that some of their Rulers are rais'd
up and continued as a Scourge in the Hands of the Almighty
for the Sins of the People. Thus much we could
not forbear saying, out of Compassion to the distressed
People of the Province, who must now resign all Pretences
to Sense and Reason, and submit to the Tyranny of Priestcraft,
and Hypocrisy. P. S. By private Letters from Boston
we are informed, That the Bakers there are under great
Apprehensions of being forbid baking any more Bread,
unless they will submit to the Secretary as Supervisor
General and Weigher of the Dough, before it is baked into
Bread, and offered to Sale."

Franklin and the Courant Club did not choose to submit
the contents of that paper, before publishing it, to the
secretary of the government for his approbation. After
deliberating what was best to be done to evade the act, it
was determined to alter the imprint by leaving out the
name of James, and inserting that of Benjamin Franklin.[18]
This determination was carried into immediate effect.

The Courant now purported to be "printed and sold by
Benjamin Franklin in Queen Street," although he was a
minor. The club proceeded without any apparent mitigation
of "the Lash." The Courant was published in the
name of Benjamin Franklin for some time after he left his
brother; and, for anything that appears, until its publication
ceased in the beginning of the year 1727. Before this
paper was discontinued, the writers for it became languid,
and for months in succession no original essay appeared.

James Franklin, at a subsequent period, removed to
Newport, and established the first press in Rhode Island.
The Courant was published about six years.

[ILLUSTRATION]

AI     Numb. I.
The NEW-ENGLAND
Weekly JOURNAL.
Containing the most Remarkable Occurrences Foreign and Domestick.

This paper was first published March 20th, 1727, on a
half sheet of foolscap size, folio. At first it was published
on Mondays; but, after several years, Tuesday was
substituted. Imprint—"Boston, Printed by S. Kneeland,
at the Printing-House in Queen-Street, where Advertisements
are taken in." See Appendix D.

During the first year of the Journal, several literary
gentlemen furnished it with short essays on miscellaneous
subjects, more however of a moral than a political nature,
and which, although well written, did not occasion the
excitement in the public mind which was produced by
the writers for the Courant.

The first year, the editor of the Journal assumed the
name of "Proteus Echo, Esq." In No. 3, he requests those
who will do him the honor to contribute to the embellishment
of his Journal, to direct to him at Mr. Samuel Kneeland's
in Queen-Street; and he gives a humorous account
of himself. In No. 4, he describes, in the same manner,
his associates, among whom he mentions "two divines
who sometimes did themselves the honor of half an
hour's setting," &c., and observes, that the gentlemen,
whom he had described, "will have no inconsiderable hand
in these weekly entertainments." At the close of the first
year, the editor presents his "gratitude to those generous
hands which have made such considerable presents to the
authors of these Essays." He mentions a piece of Spanish
gold from a gentleman, and a silver pen from a lady;

and he then informs his readers that, a year being completed
since the first publication of the Journal, the essay
then published "is the last piece which will be published
by the gentlemen who begun and have till now supplied
this paper." He concludes by observing that the writers
were three in number, one of whom supplied the poetry,
and signed his pieces with one of the letters composing
the word Musœ.

The second year, the Journal was not supplied with original
essays;[19] the third year, it contained eighteen numbers,
moral and entertaining, supposed by some to have
been principally composed by governor Burnet; they
began the January after his arrival at Boston, and ceased
a few weeks before his death. I have seen a file of the
Journal, containing these numbers, with an index written
by a former proprietor of the volume, whom I suppose to
have been one of those who wrote for the Journal during
the first year of its publication. In this index the eighteen
numbers are noticed thus, "Speculation-Govr.. No. 1." 2, &c.

The collection of foreign and domestic intelligence for
the Journal, even for that day, was but indifferent, though
not much inferior to the other Boston papers. In the
head, preceding the title, a signature was inserted weekly,
the signification of which I have not ascertained—it was a
letter of the alphabet; first, A, with a figure after it, was
used for several months, changing the figure weekly; then

B took the place of A, and so on; but the same letter did
not appear to be continued for any definite period. After
two or three years, the signature consisted of a letter without
a figure.

When S. Kneeland had published the Journal four
months, to his name in the imprint was added that of T.
Green. For the first year of the partnership there was a
singularity of this kind. The imprint to the Journal was,
"Printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green," etc., yet Green
alone, it seems, was responsible for the correctness of the
paper, and appears to have been the sole conductor of it.
In such advertisements, published in the Journal, as required
explanation, the public were requested to "enquire
of the Printer."

In the Journal of February 3, 1729, the following notice
appeared: "The Printer of this paper would have emitted
herewith his Desire, that some errors of the last Journal
might be laid to his Charge; he not having then any Person
by Him to correct the Press as usual, and being since
convinced that they are his own; such as "fresh passage,
Imation, Piquanry—distin'd—Spectable—Dictors—
execated—Vengance—Destracted: with a few other slips
which if the Reader pardons, he will oblige The Printer."
Immediately after this notice, the imprint, "S. Kneeland
& T. Green" stands as usual. This may be explained by
observing, that Kneeland committed the printing of the
Journal to Green, and for four or five years after their
partnership commenced, himself kept a bookshop in King's
street. The shop occupied the attention of Kneeland; and
although the Journal was printed in the name of Kneeland
& Green, yet the former was considered as the proprietor,
and the latter as the printer, and the profits were shared
between them. Judge Danforth, and the Rev. Mather
Byles, the elder, it is said were the principal editors of the
Journal, and often corrected the press. Mr. Byles, it is

also said, wrote many of the poetical and other essays in
that paper.

Kneeland gave up his bookshop about the year 1742;
and afterwards attended wholly to printing. Essays, etc.,
were subsequently addressed to the publishers, and people
were directed to inquire of the printers, etc.

The New England Weekly Journal was published nearly
fifteen years by the same printers, and without any alteration
of the title or the imprint. At the close of the year
1741, this paper was incorporated with the Boston Gazette
by Kneeland & Green, who then became proprietors of
that paper, and the title of the paper so consolidated was,
The Boston Gazette and Weekly Journal. The imprint was
as before, with the addition of "Price 16s. a year, and 20s.
seal'd," paid quarterly.

The printers of this paper were great advocates of the
reverend George Whitefield, the reverend Mr. Edwards,
&c. The reverend Thomas Prince was supposed to have
taken an active part in the publication of this paper, and
for a time to have assisted in correcting the press. The
first publication that issued was a general prospectus,
without any number. The second publication was numbered
1.

The Journal was incorporated with the Gazette in 1741;
and, in 1752, the Gazette was discontinued, twenty-five
years after the first publication of the Journal.

[ILLUSTRATION]

The Weekly Rehearsal.
Monday, September 27, 1731.

This paper was published on a half sheet of printing
foolscap, folio, on a small pica type; and was established
by a young gentleman of great literary talents, who afterwards

became a celebrated law character;[20] and Monday was
the day of its publication. It was not numbered the first
forty-six weeks.

The first paper was printed September 27, 1731. The
imprint—"Boston: Printed by J. Draper, for the Author,
by whom Advertisements are taken in." Afterwards,
"Printed by J. Draper, for the Author. Advertisements
are taken in by Mr. Hancock, at the Bible and Three
Crowns in Ann-Street, 1732." For the first six weeks,
mottos in Latin from the classics were inserted after the
title. The motto was different in each week; and, for the
first six months, with very few exceptions, a moral or entertaining
essay was weekly published in the Rehearsal,
which usually filled more than half the paper. These
essays were sometimes selected, but generally original. Before
the termination of one year, its original essays were discontinued,
and it had become a mere vehicle of intelligence.

Thomas Fleet began to print it with No. 47, and it
appears, by an advertisement in that number, that he was
interested in the publication. It became a good paper for
foreign and domestic news, but was no longer a literary
journal.

On April 2, 1733, Fleet became the sole proprietor of
the Rehearsal, and thus announced it to the public:

The imprint from No. 79 to 202, August 11, 1735, when
the Rehearsal was discontinued, was, "Boston Printed by
T. Fleet, at the Heart and Crown in Cornhill, where
Advertisements are taken in. Advertisements are also
taken in by Mr. N. Belknap, Bookseller, near Clark's
Wharf, at the North End. Price 16s. per year."

It was Fleet's intention to alter the time of publication
from Monday morning to Monday evening, as appears
from an advertisement published in the last number of the
Rehearsal, viz:

[ILLUSTRATION]

NEW-ENGLAND.
No. 1.
THE
BOSTON
Weekly Post-Boy.
Ship.
Post-Boy.
MONDAY, October, 1734.

Postmasters established the first two newspapers published
in Boston; and succeeding postmasters seemed to
claim a right to such publications, or at least to think that
a newspaper was an appendage to their office. Ellis Huske[21]
being appointed postmaster of Boston, and Boydell not
choosing to resign the Boston Gazette, Huske began in
October, 1734, the publication of another paper, entitled
The Boston Weekly Post-Boy. It was at first printed on a
half sheet of small demy, in quarto, but soon after on a
half sheet of crown, in quarto, on a small pica type. Huske
retained the device of the postman, and the ship, on the
right and left of the title, which had hitherto appeared in
the Boston Gazette published by his predecessors. The
Post-Boy was published on Mondays; no printer's name
appeared.[22] The imprint was, "Boston; Printed for Ellis
Huske, Post-Master: Advertisements taken in at the Post Office
in King's-Street, over against the North-Door of
the Town-House, where all Persons in Town or Country
may be supplied with this Paper." This imprint was continued,

without the name of the printer, during the twenty
years of its publication, which began and ended with Huske.
I have never seen any number of this paper after December,
1754; but, I believe, it was continued until within a few
weeks of the time when the provincial stamp act took place,
in 1755.

Nothing extraordinary attended this publication. Its
features were much like those of the News-Letter and the
Gazette. Towards its close it was reduced to half a sheet
foolscap, folio. It was not uncommon for the publishers
of the New England Journal, and those of the Gazette, to
vary the size of their papers, and to print them on half a
sheet folio or quarto, of different sizes, as they found it convenient.
Most of the paper then used in America was imported
from Europe, and paper of a particular size could
not, at all times, be obtained.

The devices in the title were twice engraved anew during
its publication. Those last engraved were, afterwards,
made use of by Green and Russell, when they began to
publish The Boston Weekly Advertiser.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Numb. 2.
THE
Boston Evening-Post.
Monday, August 25, 1735.

Fleet having discontinued the Rehearsal on Monday,
August 11, 1735, began the publication of The Boston
Evening Post on the evening of the following Monday. It
was printed on a half sheet of large foolscap printing paper.
He commonly made use of paper of this description, excepting
when he printed a whole sheet; then he generally
used the smaller size of foolscap or pot. The imprint—
"Boston: Printed by T. Fleet, at the Heart and Crown,

in Cornhill, where advertisements are taken in at a moderate
Price." Excepting in the title, the Evening Post did
not differ from the Rehearsal. It was the best newspaper
then published in Boston. The selection of entertaining
and amusing pieces from London publications, and some
of Fleet's own humorous paragraphs gave it animation,
and its news were well selected and seasonably published.
It interfered very little with political controversy, and not
greatly with religious disputes. Fleet was a wit, and no
bigot; he did not appear to be a great friend to itinerant
preachers; and he was not, like the brethren of the type
of that day, afraid to attack the highly popular, and greatly
distinguished itinerant preacher Whitefield.

A paragraph was published in the Evening Post of
March 8, 1741, which was next day taken notice of by the
governor and council, who ordered an information to be
filed against Fleet, that he might be prosecuted at the next
superior court. How the affair ended I never knew, but
probably a prosecution did not take place, as Fleet procured
five respectable persons to testify to the truth of the
contents of the paragraph. See Appendix E.

Fleet had a peculiar faculty in wording his advertisements.
The following advertisements of negroes appeared
in the Evening Post, in April 1758. "To be sold by the
Printer of this Paper, a Negro Man, about thirty years old,
who can do both Town and Country Business very well,
but will suit the Country best, where they have not so
many Dram Shops as we have in Boston. He has worked
at the Printing Business fifteen or sixteen years; can
handle an ax, Saw, Spade, Hoe, or other Instrument of
Husbandry as well as most Men, and values himself, and
is valued by others, for his skill in Cookery and making of
Soap." "Also, a very valuable Negro Woman, about
thirty years old, (sold only for her frequent pregnancy),
with a fine healthy Boy two years old."

In June of the same year, in a dunning advertisement
to his customers, he adds, "In the days of Mr. Campbell,
who published a newspaper here, which is forty years ago,
Paper was bought for eight or nine shillings a Ream,[23] and
now tis Five Pounds; his Paper was never more than half
a sheet, and that he had Two Dollars a year for, and had
also the Art of getting his Pay for it; and that Size has continued
till within a little more than one year, since which
we are expected to publish a whole Sheet, so that the
Paper now stands us in near as much as all the other
charges." See Appendix F.

Fleet continued to publish the Evening Post until he
died, in 1758. His sons, Thomas and John, in copartnership,
continued it with much approbation, till April 1775,
when the revolutionary war occasioned its immediate
termination. It was published forty years.[24]

When T. and J. Fleet succeeded their father, they introduced
a cut of their sign, the Heart and Crown, into the
centre of the title of the Evening Post, and published it
every Monday morning instead of Monday evening.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Boston, January 4, 1748. Numb. 1.

Cut

The Independent  Advertiser.

This paper was of a political cast. It was first published
Tuesday, January 4, 1748, by Rogers & Fowle, printers and
copartners. It was printed on a half sheet of good paper,
of crown size, folio, with a new long primer type. The

device in the centre of its title was a large cut of Britannia
liberating a bird confined by a cord to the arms
of France. Britannia is represented sitting, the arms of
France lying on the ground before her; the bird is on the
wing, but being impeded by the cord, one end of which is
fastened to the arms of France, and the other to the bird,
Britannia is in the act of cutting the cord with a pair of
shears, that the bird may escape.

This paper was published weekly on Tuesday, but the
day of the week was not mentioned in the title. The
imprint: "Boston: Printed and Sold by Rogers & Fowle
in Queen-Street, next to the Prison, where Advertisements
are taken in at a reasonable Price. And all Gentlemen
and others may be supplied with this paper." This, like
all the English American newspapers then published, had
two columns to a page.

The following is an extract from a pertinent and well
written address of the publishers to the public: "As our
present political state affords Matter for a variety of
Thoughts, of peculiar Importance to the good People of
New-England, we purpose to insert every thing of that
Nature that may be pertinently and decently wrote. For
ourselves, we declare we are of no Party, neither shall we
promote the narrow and private Designs of any such.
We are ourselves free, and our Paper shall be free—free as
the Constitution we enjoy—free to Truth, good Manners,
and good Sense, and at the same time free from all licentious
Reflections, Insolence and Abuse. Whatsoever may
be adapted to State and Defend the Rights and Liberties
of Mankind, to advance useful Knowledge and the Cause
of Virtue, to improve the Trade, the Manufactures, and
Husbandry of the Country, whatever may tend to inspire
this People with a just and proper Sense of their own
Condition, to point out to them their true Interests, and
rouse them to pursue it, as also any Piece of Wit and

Humor, shall at all Times find (free of Charge,) a most
welcome reception. And although we do not altogether
depend upon the causal Benevolence of the Publick to
supply this Paper, yet we will thankfully receive every
Thing from every quarter conducing to the Good of the
Publick and our general Design."

The Advertiser was supplied with well written essays,
chiefly political. A number of gentlemen associated for
this purpose, among whom, we are told, was the late
governor Samuel Adams. This association consisted of
whigs, who advocated the rights of the people against
those measures of the government which were supposed
to infringe upon the privileges of the province secured by
charter.

The Advertiser was handsomely printed. It contained
but little foreign intelligence, and not much domestic
news. Its principal object was political discussion, as the
means to rouse the people of the colony to maintain their
rights. The continuance of this paper was short. Rogers
& Fowle dissolved their copartnership in April, 1750; and,
their Independent Advertiser ceased with their connection,
after being published two years.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Numb. 1.

THE
Boston   Gazette.
OR,
WEEKLY   ADVERTISER.

Cut.

Containing the freshest Advices Foreign and Domestick.

This paper was published by Samuel Kneeland after
the dissolution of his partnership with Timothy Green.
It superseded the old Boston Gazette and Weekly Journal,
and was created upon its foundation. For the want of a
more appropriate device, a very singular cut was used in

its title which had been designed and engraved for the
lxxvth fable of Croxall's Esop; representing the boy viewing
himself in the glass, his little sister, who was offended
with his vanity, and their father who moralized on the subject
of their difference.[25]

This Boston Gazette made its first appearance on Wednesday,
January 3, 1753. It was printed on a half sheet
of crown, quarto, on a new long primer type, with the following
rather singular introduction after the title. "As
the Types generally us'd in the Printing of the late
Boston Gazette or Weekly Journal,[26] are worn out, it has been
tho't proper, on the Return of the Year, to alter the Form
and Title of this Paper, as it now appears. 'Tis proposed
to publish the same, as usual, every Tuesday; and hope
Care will be taken to furnish it from Time to Time with
the most remarkable Occurrences, both of a foreign and
domestick Nature."

After the first number it was regularly published every
Tuesday, and continued to be printed in quarto, on paper
of the same size. No printer or publisher's name appeared
in the imprint, which was, "Boston: Printed opposite the
prison in Queen street, where Advertisements are taken
in." This imprint remained unaltered the first year; the
second year Kneeland added his name to it, and exchanged
the cut before mentioned, in the title, for a well executed
one of the arms of the province.[27]

Kneeland published this Gazette two years, when it was
discontinued on account of the provincial stamp act, and

never revived. This paper was better printed than the
old Boston Gazette, and had, for those days, a considerable
number of advertising customers.

[ILLUSTRATION]

NUMB. 1.

THE
Boston GAZETTE,
OR
COUNTRY JOURNAL.

Province
arms.

Britannia
liberating a
bird.

Containing the freshest advices, Foreign and Domestick.

This was the third newspaper bearing the title of The
Boston Gazette. No. 1 was published April 7, 1755, on
a crown half sheet, from a long primer type. The title
had two cuts, which had before been used, the one for the
last Boston Gazette, and the other for the Independent
Advertiser. The province arms, or the Indian, was placed
on the left, and Britannia liberating a bird on the right of
the title; but the disproportion in the width of the cuts,
Britannia being twice the width of the Indian, pressed the
title from the centre of the page, and destroyed the uniformity
which would have been preserved had the parts
been properly arranged. The imprint, "Boston: Printed
by Benjamin Edes and John Gill at their Printing-Office
near the East End of the Town-House, in King Street;
where all persons may be supplied with this paper, and
where Advertisements are taken in. Also printing done
at a moderate Rate with Care and Dispatch." Edes and
Gill removed soon after to the printing house which had
been occupied by Rogers and Fowle, in Prison lane; the
imprint was altered and shortened, and the Gazette was
occasionally printed on a whole sheet crown. About the
year 1760, it became a common custom in Boston to print
all newspapers on a whole sheet.

Several of the gentlemen who had associated to write
for the Independent Advertiser, joined by some others,
encouraged the establishment of this paper; they were the
editors of its literary department, and the purveyors of its
political information. During the long controversy between
Great Britain and her American colonies, no paper
on the continent took a more active part in defence of the
country, or more ably supported its rights, than the Boston
Gazette; its patrons were alert and ever at their posts, and
they had a primary agency in events which led to our
national independence.[28]

A provincial stamp act, or, as it was called, "An act for
granting to his Majesty several Duties on Vellum, Parchment
and Paper, for two years, towards the defraying the
Charge of this Government," was passed by the legislature
of the province a few months before Edes & Gill began
the publication of the Boston Gazette, and it took effect
the first of May following. The act embraced newspapers,
which were to pay one-half penny for each paper. Of the
several newspapers which had been established in Boston
previously to this period, only three were now in being,
viz: the News-Letter, the Evening Post, and this new Boston
Gazette. These were all printed from May 1st, 1755, to
April 30, 1757, on paper stamped by the colonial government.
The figure of the stamp was round, of the size of
half a dollar, and the words "HALF PENNY—HALF PENNY,"
were inclosed between two circular lines, and formed the
border; in the centre was a bird, probably meant for an

eagle on the wing; this device was stamped with red ink
on a corner of the sheet.[29]

In 1768, after the death of Samuel Kneeland, Edes & Gill
occupied his printing house, where the two former Boston
Gazettes, and the New England Weekly Journal had been
printed. There they continued to publish the Gazette, of
which they were proprietors, until April, 1775, when the
revolutionary war commenced. Before this event took
place, the device in the title underwent a change. The
figure of Britannia was exchanged for that of Minerva,
seated; before her was a pedestal on which was placed a
cage; Minerva with her left hand supported a spear, on
which was placed the cap of Liberty, and with her right
opened the door of the cage, and liberated a bird which
appeared in the act of flying towards a tree that stood at a
distance from a city. This cut was coarsely executed.

The publication of the Gazette was suspended from
April, 1775, to the 5th of June following, when Edes, having
set up a press at Watertown, renewed the printing of
the paper, and continued it until November, 1776, when
he returned to Boston, and again published the Gazette in
Queen street. Gill had no concern in printing the Gazette
after April, 1775; but in 1776 he began another paper,
entitled The Continental Journal.

Edes's sons, Benjamin and Peter,[30] were, sometime after

his return to Boston, concerned with him in printing the
Gazette. In 1784, Edes and his eldest son Benjamin,[31]
only, were together, and published this paper in Cornhill,
No. 42,[32] under the firm of Edes & Son; and they introduced
a new cut—the goddess of liberty was represented
standing instead of sitting; this was the only alteration in
the device; but the following motto was added and engraved
underneath the figures, "Libertas et natale solum."
The Gazette was printed afterwards in Marlborough street,
and then again in King street, now State street.

Some time after, Edes printed and published it on his
own account in Kilby street. But the Gazette no more
"thundered in the capitol." Its former writers were silent,
and age and infirmity overtook its publisher. The paper
however, lingered along, unnoticed by its rivals, and almost
by the public, to whom it had been a faithful and useful
servant, until 1798. Forty-five years having completed
their revolutions since its first publication, Edes at this time
took his farewell of the public, and the Gazette expired![33]

[ILLUSTRATION]

Numb. I.

THE
BOSTON   Weekly Advertiser.

Containing the freshest advices,   Foregin and Domestick.

Post-Boy.

This paper was first published August 22, 1757, by John
Green and Joseph Russell, in Queen street, printers and
copartners. It was printed weekly, on Mondays, with a
new long primer type, on paper of crown size, folio,
two columns in a page, and generally on a whole sheet.
The imprint—"Boston: Printed by Green and Russell,
opposite to the Probate-Office in Queen-Street, where all
Persons may be supplied with this Paper at Five Shillings
and Four Pence Lawful Money per Annum, and where
Advertisements are taken in, and all sorts of Printing
Work done at a moderate rate, with Care and Dispatch."

After it had been published about two years, the title
was altered to Green & Russell's Post-Boy and Advertiser, &c.
It was changed a second time, to The Boston Post-Boy and
Advertiser; and again to The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston
Post-Boy and Advertiser.

When its title was The Boston Weekly Advertiser, it had
for the first year the cut of the postboy in the centre of the
title; the second year the ship was added. The cuts were
placed like those in the former Boston Post-Boy, published
for Huske, and were identically the same which had been
used for that paper; the ship on the left, and the postman
on horseback on the right of the title. When the paper
was called The Massachusetts Gazette, &c., the old devices
were thrown aside, and the king's arms were substituted.
Its circulation was not extensive, and it was not distinguished
for original essays of any kind, nor as the channel
of important intelligence; but it was well printed, and

always on good types. All the printers in Boston were on
friendly terms respecting business; their papers were all
of one size, and the columns and pages of one measure.
Draper printed the News-Letter on Thursdays. Columns
of news, advertisements, &c., in types, were weekly interchanged
by Green & Russell with Draper. They followed
this practice as long as the Post-Boy was published by
Green & Russell, and found it very convenient. Their
readers did not complain, although whole columns, which
had been published in the News-Letter on Thursday, appeared
again from the same types, on the following Monday,
in the Post-Boy.

Green and Russell were appointed printers to the British
commissioners, and supplied the blanks and other work for
the custom house. This induced them, apparently, to become
advocates for the measures which the British administration
adopted toward the American colonies, and
accordingly The Boston Post-Boy, on the 23d of May, 1768,
appeared with the insignia of government. It had for
several years been printed on a whole sheet, as other newspapers
in Boston then were. One-half of this sheet now
bore the title of, "The Massachusetts Gazette, Published
by Authority;" and the other half, its usual title of Boston
Post-Boy, &c., as has been already described.[34] The
royal arms were substituted, in the title, for the postman
and the ship.

This mode of publication continued till September, 1769,
when printing the Gazette by Authority was discontinued,
and the Post-Boy and Gazette were united under the title
of The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston Post-Boy and Advertiser,
and the cut of the king's arms was retained.

In April, 1773, Green & Russell resigned the printing
and publishing of this paper to Mills & Hicks, two young
printers, who, having received patronage and encouragement
from the officers of the crown, &c., continued it with
renewed spirit; and several good writers in favor of government
became its supporters, the animation and weight
of whose communications attracted more notice from the
public for the Post-Boy than it had before received. In
this manner the paper was printed until a short time after
the commencement of the war in 1775, when it was discontinued.
The Weekly Advertiser was published about
eighteen years.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Vol. I.    No. 1.

The Boston Chronicle.

MONDAY, December 21, 1767.

From the first publication of The Boston Weekly Advertiser,
more than ten years passed before an attempt was
made to establish another newspaper in that town. During
this period four journals, viz: The News-Letter, The Evening
Post, The Gazette, and The Advertiser, or Post-Boy,
were regularly published.

December 21, 1767, The Boston Chronicle was added to
the number. It was printed on a whole sheet demy, in
quarto, on a broad faced long primer, from an Edinburgh
foundery. It was published weekly, on Mondays, for the
first year, and intended to imitate in its appearance the
London Chronicle. The price per annum, being six shillings
and eight pence, was but a very small consideration
for a newspaper on a large sheet, and well executed. It
was "Printed by Mein and Fleming, in Newbury Street,

opposite the White Horse Tavern." Mein and Fleming
were Scotchmen. John Mein was a bookseller, and John
Fleming a printer. The Chronicle was published by Mein.
For the first year, this paper was well supplied with essays
on various subjects judiciously selected from British authors,
and it contained the celebrated letters of the Pennsylvania
Farmer.[35] It grew daily into reputation, and had
a handsome list of subscribers.

With the beginning of the second year, the size of the
paper was altered to a crown folio, and published every
Monday and Thursday, without any addition to the price.
This was the first newspaper published twice a week in
New England. Before the close of the second year of
publication, its publisher, Mein, engaged in a political warfare
with those who were in opposition to the measures of
the British administration. In the Chronicle he abused
numbers of the most respectable whigs in Boston; and he
was charged with insulting the populace. To avoid the
effects of popular resentment, it became necessary for him
to leave the country. Fleming continued the Chronicle
during the absence of Mein, in the name of the firm; but
it had fallen into disrepute, and its subscribers in rapid
succession withdrew their names. Many supposed that
Mein was privately assisted by the agents of government,
and several circumstances rendered this opinion probable.
But when the paper lost its subscribers it could neither be
profitable to its publishers, nor answer the design of its
supporters. Its publication, therefore, ceased on the 25th
of June, 1770. On this occasion its remaining subscribers
were thus addressed.

"*** The Printers of the Boston Chronicle return thanks
to the Gentlemen who have so long favoured them with

their subscriptions, and now inform them that, as the Chronicle
in the present state of affairs cannot be carried on,
either for their entertainment or the emolument of the
Printers, it will be discontinued for some time."

It was never revived.

[ILLUSTRATION]

The Massachusetts Spy.

Vol. I.]    TUESDAY, August 7, 1770.    [Numb. 2.

Although The Boston Chronicle had become unpopular,
and the times were deemed unfavorable for publishing a
new paper; yet, under inauspicious circumstances, an attempt
was made to establish one on a new plan. The
Massachusetts Spy was calculated to obtain subscriptions
from mechanics, and other classes of people who had not
much time to spare from business. It was to be published
three times a week, viz: on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Twice in the week it was to be printed on a quarter
of a sheet, and once on a half sheet. When published in
this way, news were conveyed fresh to subscribers, and the
contents of a Spy might with convenience be read at a
leisure moment.

This plan was detailed in the first number, which appeared
in July, 1770, and was sent gratis to the inhabitants
in all parts of the town. In a short time such a subscription
was obtained as to warrant a prosecution of the design,
and the publication of the Spy commenced with No. 2,
August 7, 1770, and was printed in this form for three
months by Z. Fowle and I. Thomas; the partnership was
then dissolved; and the Spy was continued by Thomas.

but published only on Mondays and Thursdays, each number
containing half a sheet of large crown, in quarto. In
this manner the Spy was issued three months longer. At
the expiration of that time, the object of publishing it in
this introductory form being obtained, it was set aside to
make way for the appearance of a weekly newspaper on a
larger sheet than any that had at that time been published
in Boston.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Cut.

THE
Massachusetts Spy.

>Cut.

A Weekly, Political and Commercial Paper; Open to all Parties, but influenced by None.

Vol. I.]    THURSDAY, March 7, 1771.    Numb. I.

Number 1, of this newspaper, was published March 7,
1771, on a whole sheet, royal size, folio, four columns in a
page. Massachusetts Spy, was in large German text, engraved
on type metal between two cuts; the device of the
cut on the left was the Goddess of Liberty sitting near a
pedestal, on which was placed a scroll, a part of which, with
the word SPY on it, lay over on one side of the pedestal, on
which the right arm of Liberty rested. The device on the
right was, two infants making selections from a basket
filled with flowers and bearing this motto: "THEY CULL
THE CHOICEST." The imprint, "Boston: Printed and
Published by Isaiah Thomas, in Union Street, near the
Market, where Advertisements are taken in." The day of
publication was Thursday. The majority of the customers
for the former Spy preferred the way in which it had been
published, and withdrew their subscriptions. On the appearance
of this the subscribers did not amount to two
hundred, but after the first week they increased daily, and
in the course of two years the subscription list was larger

than that of any other newspaper printed in New England.

A number of gentlemen supplied this paper with political
essays, which for the time were more particularly calculated
for that class of citizens who had composed the
great majority of its readers. For a few weeks some communications
were furnished by those who were in favor of
the royal prerogative, but they were exceeded by the writers
on the other side; and the authors and subscribers among
the tories denounced and quitted the Spy. The publisher
then devoted it to the cause of his country, supported by
the whigs, under whose banners he had enlisted.

Writers of various classes, in the whig interest, furnished
essays, which in a very considerable degree aided in preparing
the public mind for events which followed.

Common sense in common language is necessary to influence
one class of citizens, as much as learning and
elegance of composition are to produce an effect upon
another. The cause of America was just, and it was only
necessary to state this cause in a clear and impressive
manner, to unite the American people in its support.

Several attempts were made by the government of the
province to prosecute the printer, but without effect. A
piece in No. 37, under the signature of Mucius Scævola,
more particularly excited an attempt of this nature,
(see Appendix G). The printer had the further honor of
being exhibited and burnt in effigy by the royalists of
North Carolina, and he was threatened with having a coat
of tar and feathers by a regiment of British soldiers, which
paraded before his house.[36]

In October, 1772, the addition of Thomas's Boston Journal
was made to the title of the Spy; a political motto from
Addison's Cato had been previously added.[37]

On the 7th of July, 1774, during the operation of the
Boston port bill[38] so called, and just after the landing of four
additional regiments of troops, with a train of royal artilery,
a new political device appeared in the title of this
paper—a snake and a dragon. The dragon represented
Great Britain, and the snake the colonies. The snake was
divided into nine parts, the head was one part, and under
it N. E. as representing New England; the second part
N. Y. for New York; the third N. J. for New Jersey; the
fourth P. for Pennsylvania; the fifth M. for Maryland; the
sixth V. for Virginia; the seventh N. C. for North Carolina;
the eighth S. C. for South Carolina; and the ninth
part, or tail, for Georgia. The head and tail of the snake
were supplied with stings, for defence against the dragon,
which appeared furious, and as bent on attacking the
snake. Over the several parts of the snake was this motto,
in large capitals, "JOIN OR DIE!" This device, which was
extended under the whole width of the title of the Spy,
appeared in every succeeding paper whilst it was printed

in Boston. Its publication ceased in that town on the 6th
of April, 1775, and on the 19th of that month hostilities between
Great Britain and America commenced. A few days
before this event took place, its publisher sent, privately, a
press and types to Worcester; and, on the 3d of the following
May, the publication of the Spy was resumed, and
was the first printing done in that town. The title of the
paper, of course, was again altered; it was now The Massachusetts
Spy; or, American Oracle of Liberty; headed with
"Americans! Liberty or Death! Join or Die!" The day
of publication at Worcester was Wednesday.

MAGAZINES, ETC.
PRINTED IN BOSTON BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

The Boston Weekly Magazine.

This production made its first appearance March 2, 1743,
on a half sheet, octavo. No. 1 contained some extracts
from the magazines published in London: a Poem to a
political lady, an Ode by Mr. Addison, two short domestic
articles of intelligence from the Boston newspapers,
and the entries at the custom house for the week. The
day of publication was Wednesday. It was continued only
four weeks, and was printed by Rogers & Fowle.

The Christian History.

No. 1 of this periodical work was published on Saturday,
March 5th, 1743, on a large half sheet of fine medium
in octavo, printed on a new small pica type. After the
contents is a quotation from the Psalms: "That I may
publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy
wondrous works."—Psal. xxvi, 7. The imprint: "Boston,
N. E. Printed by Kneeland & Green, 1743, for Thomas
Prince, Jun. A.B." The price was two shillings new tenor
per quarter, and six pence more new tenor per Quarter
covered, sealed, and directed." The editor and publisher
was the son of the Reverend Thomas Prince, of Boston,
author of The New England Chronology.

The Christian History was regularly published, in numbers
of eight pages each, every Saturday, for two years;
each year making a volume, to which was prefixed a title
page, and an index. The title page to the first volume
reads thus: "The Christian History, containing Accounts
of the Revival and propagation of Religion in Great
Britain and America. For the year 1743."

The editor gave the general contents as follows: "1.
Authentic Accounts from Ministers, and other creditable
Persons, of the Revival of Religion in the several Parts of
New England. 2. Extracts of the most remarkable Pieces
in the Weekly Histories of religion, and other accounts,
printed both in England and Scotland. 3. Extracts of
written Letters, both from England, Scotland, New-York,
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Georgia,
of a Religious Nature, as they have been sent hither from
creditable Persons and communicated to us. 4. Remarkable
Passages, Historical and Doctrinal, out of the most
famous old writers both of the Church of England and
Scotland from the Reformation, as also the first Settlers of
New-England and their Children; that we may see how
far their pious Principles and Spirit are at this Day revived;
and may guard against all Extreams."

The American Magazine and Historical Chronicle.

The first number of this Magazine, for September, 1743,[39]
was published on the 20th of the following October. It
was printed on a fine medium paper in 8vo. Each number
contained fifty pages; and was published, monthly, by
"Samuel Eliot, in Cornhill, and Joshua Blanchard in Dock-Square,"
booksellers; and printed by Rogers & Fowle, "in

"Prison Lane," who were also concerned in the publication,
and, after the first year, were sole proprietors of it.
Jeremy Gridley, Esq., who had edited the Rehearsal, it has
been said, was also the editor of this magazine.

The following is an extract from the prospectus, viz: It
will contain "1. A summary Rehearsal of the proceedings
and debates in the British Parliament. 2. A View of
the weekly and monthly Dissertations, Essays, &c., selected
from the publick Papers and Pamphlets published in London
and the Plantations, viz: Political State, Transactions
of the Royal Society, &c., with Extracts from new Books.
3. Dissertations, Letters and Essays, moral, civil, political,
humorous and polemical. 4. Select Pieces, relating to the
Arts and Sciences. 5. Governour's Speeches, with the
Proceedings of the Assembly, and an Abridgment of the
Laws enacted in the respective Provinces and Colonies.
6. Poetical Essays on various Subjects. 7. Monthly Chronologer,
containing an Account of the most remarkable
Events, Foreign and Domestick. 8. Price Current. 9.
Births and Deaths. 10. A Catalogue of New Books. The
Magazine will be continued of the same Size, that so the
Twelve Months may be bound in the same Volume at the
Year's end with a compleat Index, which shall be added to
the Month of December."

This Magazine imitated The London Magazine in its appearance;
a large cut of the town of Boston, in the title
page, answered to a similar cut of the city of London in
the title page of the London Magazine. Its pages were
like those of that publication in size, two columus in a
page, divided by the capital letters, A B C D E and F, at
a distance from each other, and not by a line, or as printers
term it, by rules. The imprint, "Boston: Printed by
Rogers & Fowle, and Sold by S. Eliot & J. Blanchard, in
Boston; B. Franklin, in Philadelphia; J. Parker, in NewYork;
J. Pomroy, in New Haven; C. Campbell, Post-Master,

New Port. Price Three Shillings, New Tenor, a Quarter,"
equal to half a dollar. It was well printed, on a long primer
type, and was not inferior to the London and other
magazines, then published in that city; but the extensive
plan marked out in its prospectus could not be brought
within the number of pages allowed to the work. In the
general title page for the year, the before-mentioned view
of the town of Boston, was impressed from a copperplate
engraving; both the cut and the plate were as well executed
as things of the kind generally were for the English
magazines.

This work was issued three years and four months, and
then discontinued. It has no cuts or plates excepting those
for the title pages.

The New-England Magazine.

This work is without date, either in the title, in the imprint,
or in any of its numbers. No. 1 was published
August 31, 1758. The title page is as follows: The NewEngland
Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure. In the centre
of the page is a small cut, the device a hand holding a
bouquet, or bunch of flowers, with the motto, "Prodesse et
Delectare e pluribus unum." One-half of this motto is on
the left of the cut, and the other half on the right; underneath
the device is this couplet:

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather
Grapes of Thorns, or Figs of Thistles? Every good Tree
bringeth forth good Fruit, but a corrupt Tree bringeth

forth evil Fruit. A good Tree cannot bring forth evil
Fruit, neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit."

"Printed by Benjamin Mecom, and sold at his shop under
the New-Printing-Office, near the Court-House, on Corn-hill
in Boston.

Each number of this Magazine contained sixty pages
12mo. Its publication was intended to have been monthly,
but it came from the press irregularly, and was printed
from types of various sizes. Some pieces were, both in
prose and verse, on pica, and some on long primer; the
pages were not in columns. Its contents were a collection
of small fugitive pieces from magazines, newspapers, &c.
These were not arranged under general heads, excepting
poetry, which was headed "Poetical Entertainment;" and
we make one more exception for a head of "Queer Notions."
The price was eight pence for each number.

Mecom, the publisher of this Magazine, gave the following
poetical description of its contents in an advertisement,
viz:

This work found very few purchasers. Three or four
numbers were published in the course of six or seven
months, and it was then discontinued.

The Censor.

The Censor was altogether a political publication. The
first number appeared November 23, 1771. It was printed
in a small sheet, foolscap, folio, on an English type, by
Ezekiel Russell, in Boston, and published on Saturdays.

It made its appearance without any formal introduction.
A dissertation in the Massachusetts Spy, under the signature
of Mucius Scævola, probably occasioned the attempt
to establish this paper. Mucius Scævola had attacked
Governor Hutchinson with a boldness and severity before
unknown in the political disputes of this country. The
piece excited great warmth among those who supported
the measures of the British administration, and they immediately
commenced the publication of the Censor; in which
the governor and the British administration were defended.
Lieutenant Governor Oliver was the reputed author of
several numbers of the Censor, under the signature of A
Freeman, and these were thought to be better written
than any other communications to that paper. Several
other politicians were engaged as writers for the Censor,[41]
but they gained no proselytes to their cause; and, although
numbers of the first characters on the side of government
came forward with literary and pecuinary aid, yet the circulation
of the paper was confined to a few of their own
party. As the Censor languished, its printer made an
effort to convert it into a newspaper; and, with this view,

some of its last numbers were accompanied with a separate
half sheet, containing a few articles of news and some
advertisements. But neither its writers nor its printer
could give it a general circulation, and it was discontinued
before the revolution of a year from its first publication.

The Royal American Magazine.

A Prospectus of this work appeared many months before
the magazine; but the disordered state of public affairs,
and the difficulties which individuals experienced from
them, prevented it from being sooner put to press; and
after a few numbers had been published, the distress occasioned
to the inhabitants of Boston by shutting up and
blockading their port, obliged its editor to suspend the
publication.

The first number for January, 1774, was published at
the close of that month. It was printed on a large medium
paper in octavo, on a new handsome type. Each number
contained three sheets of letter press, and two copperplate
engravings. The title was, The Royal American Magazine,
or Universal Repository of Instruction and Amusement. The
type metal cut in the title page, represented, by an aboriginal,
America seated on the ground; at her feet lay a
quiver, and near her a bow on which her right hand rested;
in her left hand she held the calumet of peace, which she
appeared to offer to the Genius of Knowledge standing
before her dispensing instruction. Imprint, "Boston:
Printed by and for Isaiah Thomas, near the Market." Then
follow the names of several printers on the continent who
sold the work.

The editor, after having been at considerable trouble and
expense in bringing the work before the public, published
it six months, and then was obliged, first to suspend, and

afterwards to relinquish it; but Joseph Greenleaf continued
the publication until April following, when the war put
a period to the magazine.

This was the last periodical work established in Boston
before the revolution. It had a considerable list of subscribers.

SALEM.

This was the first newspaper printed in Salem. No. 1
was published August 2, 1768; and it was continued
weekly, on Tuesday, crown size, folio, from small pica and
brevier types. In the centre of the title was a cut, of
which the design was taken from the official seal of the
county. The principal figure a bird with its wings extended,
and holding a sprig in its bill; perhaps intended
to represent Noah's dove; and this device was far from
being ill adapted to the state of our forefathers, who having
been inhabitants of Europe, an old world, were become
residents in America, to them a new one. Above the bird
a fish, which seems to have been intended as a crest,
emblematical of the codfishery, formerly the principal dependence
of the county of Essex, of which Salem is a shire
town. The whole supported by two aborigines, each holding
a tomahawk, or battle axe. Imprint, "Salem: Printed
by Samuel Hall, near the Town-House, Price 6s. 8d. per
annum."

It was afterwards "printed by Samuel and Ebenezer
Hall." The Gazette was well conducted, and ably supported
the cause of the country.

In 1775, soon after the commencement of the war, the
printers of this paper removed with their press to Cambridge,
and there published the Gazette, or, as it was then
entitled, The New England Chronicle: Or, the Essex Gazette.
The junior partner died in 1775, and S. Hall became again
the sole proprietor. When the British army left Boston
Hall removed to the capital, and there printed The New
England Chronicle, the words Essex Gazette being omitted.
After publishing the paper a few years with this title, he
sold his right to it, and the new proprietor entitled it
The Independent Chronicle,[42] and began the alteration with
No. 1.

This paper, the second published in the town, made its
first appearance in June, 1774, printed on a crown sheet,

folio, on an old long primer type, published weekly on
Friday. Imprint, "Salem: Printed by E. Russell, at his
New Printing-Office, in Ruck-street, near the State-House."[43]

This Gazette was of short continuance; its circulation
was confined to a few customers in Salem and the neighboring
towns, which were inadequate to its support.

Was first published June 18, 1776. It was published
on Tuesday, printed on a crown sheet, folio. Imprint,
"Salem: Printed by J. Rogers, at E. Russell's Printing-Office,
Upper End of Main-Street," &c. Russell was
the conductor of this paper, Rogers being only his agent;
it was published only a few weeks. In the head was a
large cut, a coarse copy of that which then appeared
in the title of the Pennsylvania Journal; the device, a ship
and a book, or journal, &c., as has already been described.

It was several years after this newspaper was discontinued
before the printing of another commenced in Salem.
In January, 1781, Mary Crouch and company issued from
their press The Salem Gazette and General Advertiser. This
Gazette was printed only nine months, when Samuel Hall,
who first published The Essex Gazette, returned to Salem,
and, on the 18th of October, 1781, established The Salem
Gazette, afterwards printed by T. Cushing.[44]

[See List of Newspapers printed in the United States in
January, 1810.]

NEWBURYPORT.

No attempt was made to establish a newspaper in that
place until the year 1773.

Was issued from the press, December 4, 1773, by Isaiah
Thomas, printed on a crown sheet, folio, equal in size to
most of the papers then published in Boston. At first its
day of publication was Saturday; afterwards, Wednesday.
Two cuts were in the title; one, the left, representing the
arms of the province, that on the right, a ship under sail.
Imprint, "Newbury-Port: Printed by Isaiah Thomas &
Henry Walter-Tinges, in King-Street, opposite to the Rev.
Mr. Parsons's Meeting-House," &c. Thomas was the proprietor
of the Journal; he lived in Boston, and there published
the Massachusetts Spy. Tinges, as a partner in the
Journal, managed the concerns of it. Before the full
expiration of a year Thomas sold his right in this paper to
Ezra Lunt, and, about two years after, Lunt sold to John
Mycall. Tinges was a partner to both; but to the latter
only for about six months, when the partnership was dissolved,
and Mycall became the proprietor and sole publisher
of The Essex Journal, the publication of which he continued
many years.

WORCESTER.

The printer of the Massachusetts Spy, or Boston Journal,
was obliged to leave Boston, as has been mentioned, on
account of the commencement of hostilities between the
colonies and the parent country. He settled in this place,
and on the 3d of May, 1775, recommenced the publication
of that paper, which he continued until the British troops
evacuated Boston, when he leased it for one year to William
Stearns and Daniel Bigelow. They adopted another
motto: "Undaunted by Tyrants, we will die, or be free."
After the first lease expired, the paper was leased for
another year to Anthony Haswell, printed. Owing to
unskillful workmen, bad ink, wretched paper, and worn
down types, the Spy appeared in a miserable dèshabillè
during the two years for which it had been leased, and for
two years after. At the end of that term, the proprietor
returned to Worcester, and resumed its publication, with
a new motto: "Unanimity at Home, and Bravery and
Perseverance in the Field, will secure the Independence
of America."

Good materials of the kinds just mentioned could not
be immediately procured, and the Spy from necessity was
continued under numerous disadvantages until 1781, when
it was printed from a good type, on better paper, with new
devices and an engraved title. The device on the left was
a figure representing America, an Indian holding the cap
of Liberty on a staff with the left hand, and in the right a
spear, aimed at the British lion, which appeared in the act
of attacking her from an opposite shore. Round the device
was "LIBERTY DEFENDED FROM TYRANNY." That on the

right was a chain of thirteen links, with a star in each link,
representing the union of the thirteen states. This chain
was placed in a circular form, leaving an opening for the
arms of France, to which the ends of the chain were attached,
and which perfected the circle. Above the arms
were two hands clasped, and directly over them a sword,
with its hilt resting on the clasped hands; the motto,
"UNION." The title was thus new modelled, Thomas's Masschusetts
Spy; or the Worcester Gazette. Motto: "The noble
Efforts of a Virtuous, Free and United People, shall extirpate
Tyranny, and establish Liberty and Peace."

At the conclusion of the war the Spy was enlarged, and
each page contained five columns. It was printed from
new types; and the motto was changed to "Noscere res humanas
est Hominis. Knowledge of the word is necessary
for every man."

About that time, its editor began to publish, in the
paper, as room would permit, Robertson's History of America,
and completed the whole in about one year.[45] This
was followed by a history of the revolutionary war. Besides
these, the Spy contained valuable, useful, and entertaining
extracts, on various subjects, from European and
American publications, as well as original essays.[46]

This paper was printed with continued improvements
until March, 1786, when the publication was, on the following
account, suspended. The legislature of Massachusetts
had in March, 1785, passed an "act, imposing duties
on licensed vellum, parchment and paper." This act laid

a duty of two-thirds of a penny on newspapers, and a penny
on almanacs, which were to be stamped. The British
stamp act of 1765, violently opposed in the colonies, rendered
this act so unpopular from its very name, that the
legislature was induced to repeal it before it went into
operation. But, in the July following, another act was
passed, which imposed a duty on all advertisements inserted
in the newspapers printed in this commonwealth. This
act was thought by the publisher of the Spy, and by many
others, to lay an improper restraint on the press. He
therefore discontinued the Spy during the period that this
act was in force, which was two years. But he published
as a substitute a periodical work, entitled The Worcester
Weekly Magazine, in octavo.

The restoration of the Spy took place in April, 1788,
and a motto was at that time introduced from the constitution
of Massachusetts, viz.: "The Liberty of the Press is
essential to the security of freedom."

In 1801, Thomas resigned the printing and publishing
of the Spy to his son Isaiah Thomas, Jr. The Spy is the
oldest newspaper in Massachusetts.[47]

In 1785, a neat, small paper, was published semi-weekly
in Charlestown, Massachusetts, entitled The American Recorder
and Charlestown Advertiser. It was printed about three
years by Allen & Cushing, and then discontinued. I mention
this, because it was the only newspaper issued from
a press in the county of Middlesex.