University of Virginia Library

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287

L. APPENDIX L.

[Page 130.]

The following is the Address of Andrew Marvel to the Public, introducing
The Constitutional Courant.

"When a new public paper makes its appearance, the reader will
naturally be curious to know from whence it came, the publisher,
and the design of it. To gratify that curiosity, know reader, that
the publisher having formerly acquired a competent knowledge of
the printing business, for his amusement, furnished himself with a
set of proper materials; and the authors of the following pieces
having acquainted him that they applied to the Printers in New
York, who refused to publish them in their newspapers—not because
they disapproved them, or were apprehensive of danger, but because
several of their friends had been anxious on their account, and particularly
desired them to be careful not to publish any thing that
might give the enemies of liberty an advantage, which they would
be glad to take over them; and as these pieces are thought to be
wrote with greater freedom than any thing that has yet appeared in
the public prints, they thought proper to shew so much complaisance
to the advice of their friends as to desire to be excused, and to return
the copies: But I, who am under no fear of disobliging either friends
or enemies, was pleased with the opportunity of turning my private
amusement to the public good; I not only undertook to publish
them, but now inform my countrymen, that I shall occasionally publish
any thing else that falls in my way, which appears to me to be
calculated to promote the cause of liberty, of virtue, of religion, and
my country, of love and reverence to its laws and constitution, and
unshaken loyalty to the king—And so I bid you heartily farewell.