University of Virginia Library

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

No newspaper was printed in this colony until the year
1756.

PORTSMOUTH.

A press having been established in Portsmouth by Daniel
Fowle from Boston, he in August, 1756,[1] began the publication
of a public journal, entitled

It was first printed from a long primer type, on half a
sheet foolscap, in quarto; but was soon enlarged to half a
sheet crown, folio; and it sometimes appeared on a whole
sheet crown. Imprint, "Portsmouth, in New Hampshire,

Printed by Daniel Fowle, where this Paper may be had at
one Dollar per Annum; or Equivalent in Bills of Credit,
computing a Dollar this year at Four Pounds Old Tenor."

Fowle had several type metal cuts, which had been engraved
and used for an abridgment of Croxall's Esop; and
as he thought that there should be something ornamental
in the title of the Gazette, and not finding an artist to engrave
any thing appropriate, he introduced one of these
cuts, designed for the fable of the crow and the fox. This
cut was, in a short time, broken by some accident, and he
supplied its place by one engraved for the fable of Jupiter
and the peacock. This was used until worn down, when
another cut from the fables was substituted. Eventually,
the royal arms, badly engraved, appeared; and at the same
time, "Historical Chronicle" was added to the title; a cut
of the king's arms well executed, afterwards took the place
of the other.

In September, 1764, Robert Fowle became the partner
of Daniel in the publication of the Gazette, and in 1774
they separated. In 1775, there was a little irregularity in
the publication of the paper, occasioned by the war; but
D. Fowle in a short time continued it as usual. The Gazette
was not remarkable in its political features; but its
general complexion was favorable to the cause of the
country.

In May, 1776, Benjamin Dearborne, to whom Fowle
taught printing, became the publisher of this paper, and
altered its title to, The Freeman's Journal, or New-Hampshire
Gazette. Dearborne continued the paper a few years,
after which it was again published by Fowle, who made
several alterations in the title. In 1785, Fowle relinquished
it to Melchor & Osborne, who published it for a
number of years; and it is, at the present time (1810), issued
from the press of their successors with its original
title. The New-Hampshire Gazette is the oldest newspaper

printed in New England; and only two of those which
preceded it are now published in the United States.[2]

This was the second newspaper published in New Hampshire.
Its first appearance was on the 21st of January,
1765. It was introduced with an address to the public,
which states that,

"The Publisher proposes to print Nothing that may
have the least Tendency to subvert good Order in publick
or private Societies, and to steer clear of litigious, ill natured
and trifling Disputes in Individuals; yet, neither opposition,
arbitrary Power, or publick Injuries may be expected
to be screen'd from the Knowledge of the People, whose
Liberties are dearer to them than their lives."

The Mercury was published weekly, on Monday, on a
crown sheet, folio, from a new large faced small pica from
Cottrell's foundry in London.[3] Imprint, "Portsmouth, in
New-Hampshire, Printed by Thomas Furber at the New
Printing-Office near the Parade, where this Paper may be
had for one Dollar or Six Pounds O. T. per year; One Half
to be paid at Entrance."

The Mercury a few weeks after its first appearance was
very irregular as to its size. It was most commonly comprised
in a sheet of pot or foolscap, printed broadsides, but
occasionally on half a sheet of medium or demy, according
as paper could be purchased at the stores the moment it
was wanted. The typography of the Mercury, the new

type excepted, did not exceed that of the Gazette. The
collection of intelligence was inferior; and this paper was
not more supported by any number of respectable writers
than the Gazette. Before the first year of the publication of
the Mercury ended, Furber took as a partner Ezekiel Russell,
and his name appeared after Furber's in the imprint.

They who in the greatest degree encouraged the Mercury,
very warmly opposed the stamp act, laid on the colonies
at this time by the British parliament; indeed, the
spirit of the country rose in opposition to this act; and,
although some publishers of newspapers made a faint stand,
yet few among those more immediately attached to the
British administration, were hardy enough to afford the
measure even a feeble support. The New Hampshire Gazette,
which some thought would not appear in opposition
to the stamp act, came forward against it; and, on the day
preceding that on which it was designed the act should take
place, appeared in full mourning, contained some very
spirited observations against this measure of government,
and continued to be published as usual without stamps.

The Mercury did not gain that circulation which it might
have obtained had its editors taken a more decided part,
and either defended government with energy, or made the
paper generally interesting to the public by a zealous support
of the rights and liberties of the colonies. In consequence
of the neglect of the publishers to render the Mercury
worthy of public attention, the customers withdrew, and
the paper, after having been published about three years,
was discontinued. From this time to the commencement
of the war, the Gazette was the only newspaper published
in the province of New Hampshire.

EXETER.

The third newspaper which appeared in New Hampshire,
was issued from the press in Exeter, near the close
of the year 1775, and published, irregularly, by Robert
Fowle, under various titles, in 1776 and part of 1777, until
discontinued. It was printed on a large type, small paper,
and often on half a sheet. It was first entitled, A New Hampshire
Gazette, afterwards The New Hampshire Gazette;
The New Hampshire Gazette, or Exeter Morning Chronicle;
The New Hampshire [State] Gazette, or, Exeter Circulating
Morning Chronicle; The State Journal, or The New Hampshire
Gazette and Tuesday's Liberty Advertiser. These and
other alterations, with changes of the day of publication,
took place within one year. It was published, generally,
without an imprint. In the last alteration of the title, a
large cut, coarsely engraved, was introduced; it was a copy
of that which had for several years been used in The Pennsylvania
Journal,[4] and the same which Rogers, some time
before, had introduced into the Salem Gazette and Advertiser.

Several other newspapers since 1777, have had a beginning
and ending in Exeter.