University of Virginia Library

NEW YORK.

When treating of the introduction of printing into New
York, I should have mentioned, that in 1668, Governor
Lovelace was desirous of having a press established in that
province; and it appears by a record made at the time, that
he sent to Boston to procure a printer, but did not succeed
in his application. In 1686, among other articles of instruction
sent by King James to Governor Dongan, one was,
that he should "allow no printing press in the province."
And, consequently, the pamphlets which appeared in the
famous dispute respecting the unfortunate colonel Leisler,
in 1689 and 1690, are supposed to have been printed in
Boston. See Appendix H.

NEW YORK.

The first newspaper published in the city was printed by
William Bradford. It made its appearance October 16,
1725, and was entited,

This paper was published weekly, on Monday. I have
a few numbers of this Gazette, published in 1736. They

are printed on a foolscap sheet, from a type of the size of
english, much worn. In the title are two cuts, badly executed;
the one on the left is the arms of New York, supported
by an Indian on each side; the crest is a crown.
The cut on the right is a postman, on an animal somewhat
resembling a horse, on full speed. The imprint,
"Printed and Sold by William Bradford, in New York.

Bradford was near seventy years of age when he began
the publication of the Gazette; he continued to publish it
about sixteen years, and then retired from business. James
Parker began The New York Gazette anew in January,
1742–3.

This was the second newspaper established in the province;
it made its appearance November 5. 1733. The
Journal was of the small size usually printed at that time,
that is foolscap; generally a whole sheet, printed chiefly
on pica. It was published every "Munday." Imprint,
"New York: Printed and Sold by John Peter Zenger:
By whom Subscriptions for this Paper are taken in at
Three Shillings per Quarter."

The Journal was established for a political purpose. For
three years it was in a state of warfare with the administration
of Governor Crosby, and his successor Lieutenant Governor

Clarke. It was supposed to be published under
the patronage of the Honorable Rip Van Dam, who had
been president of the council, and opposed the governor
and his successor. The New York Gazette, printed by
Bradford, was then under the control of the governor.

Newspapers were not at that time burthened with advertisements.
I have seen several numbers printed after the
paper had been established seven or eight years, with only
one or two advertisements. It was well printed. Zenger
appears to have understood his business, and to have been
a scholar, but he was not correct in the English language,
especially in orthography.

On Sunday, the 17th of November, 1734, Zenger was
arrested and imprisoned by virtue of a warrant from the
governor and council, "for printing and publishing several
seditious libels," in the New York Weekly Journal, viz: in
Numbers 7, 47, 48 and 49. The governor and council by
message requested the concurrence of the house of representatives
in prosecuting Zenger, and a committee of conference
on the subject was chosen by the house and by the
council. The house finally ordered the request of the
governor and council to lie on the table, and would not
concur. The governor and council then ordered the mayor
and magistrates, at their quarter session in November, 1734,
to attend to the "burning by the common hangman, or
whipper, near the pillory, the libellous papers." The
mayor's court would not attend to the order; the papers
were therefore burnt by the order of the governor, not by
the hangman or whipper, who were officers of the corporation,
but by the sheriff's servant. At the next term of
the supreme court, the grand jury found the presentment
against Zenger ignoramus. The attorney general was then
directed to file an information against him for printing the
said libels, and he remained in prison until another term.
His counsel offered exceptions to the commissions of the

judges, and prayed to have them filed. The judges would
not allow, or even hear the exceptions, and they excluded
Zenger's counsel, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Smith, from
the bar. Zenger obtained other counsel, viz: Mr. John
Chambers, of New York, and Andrew Hamilton, Esq., of
Philadelphia. Mr. Hamilton made the journey from Philadelphia,
to New York for the sole purpose of defending
Zenger. Zenger being put to trial pleaded not guilty. The
printing and publishing the papers were acknowledged by
Zenger's counsel, who offered to give the truth in evidence.
This the court would not admit. Mr. Hamilton argued
the cause in a most able manner, before the court and a
numerous and respectable assemblage of people. The
judges observed, that the jury might find that Zenger
printed and published the papers in question, and leave it
to the court to determine whether they were libellous.
Mr. Hamilton remarked, that they might do so, but they
had a right, beyond all dispute, to judge of the law as well
as the fact, &c. The jury having retired a short time,
returned with a verdict, not guilty, to the great mortification
of the court, and of all Zenger's prosecutors; but which
was received by the audience with loud bursts of applause,
concluding with three cheers. The next day Zenger was
released from prison, after having been confined eight
months.

At the common council of the city of New York, holden
on the 29th of September following, the mayor, aldermen
and assistants, presented Mr. Hamilton with the freedom
of the city, and the thanks of the corporation expressed in
the following manner.

The foregoing grant of the freedom of the city was, by
order of the corporation, sent to Mr. Hamilton by Stephen
Bayard, one of the aldermen, in a gold box weighing five
and a half ounces, made for the occasion. On the lid of
the box was engraved the arms of the city, with this motto:
"DEMERSÆ LEGES TIMEFACTA LIBERTAS
HÆC TANDEM EMERGUNT." On the inner side of

the lid: "NON NUMMIS—VIRTUTE PARATUR."
On the front of the rim of the box, a part of Tully's wish:
ITA CUIQUE EVENIAT, UT DE REPUBLICA
MERUIT.[2]

Zenger published the Journal on Mondays, till he died
in the summer of 1746. It was continued by his widow,
Catharine Zenger, till December, 1748, when she resigned
the publication to her son John Zenger. Her imprint
was, "New York: Printed by the Widow Cathrine Zenger,
at the Printing-Office in Stone-Street; Where Advertisements
are taken in, and all Persons may be supplied with
this paper." She spelled her name Cathrine in all her imprints
and advertisements.

John Zenger, in January, 1748–9, new modelled the
title of the Journal, and added a cut, coarsely executed, of
a section of the royal arms, containing three lions gardant,
encircled with the usual motto," Honi soit qve mal y pense;"
surmounted by a crown. The imprint, "New York:
Printed by John Zenger, in Stone-street, near Fort George;
Where Advertisements are taken in at a moderate rate."
John Zenger published this paper until about 1752, when
it was discontinued, but in 1766, the title was revived by
John Holt.

In The New York Journal of February 25, 1751, is the
following advertisement:

Was established by James Parker, in January, 1742–3,
about the time that Bradford discontinued his Gazette, and
he probably retained the subscribers for that paper.

I have a few numbers of this Gazette published several
months after its establishment, the title of which reads thus,
"The New York Gazette Revived in the Weekly Post-Boy.
Containing the freshest Advices, Foreign and Domestick."
It was printed on Thursdays, on a foolscap sheet, folio.
Imprint, "New York: Printed by James Parker, at the
New Printing-Office in Beaver-Street, where Advertisements
are taken in, and all Persons may be supplied with
this Paper."

Two letters appeared in the Gazette of February, 1748,
reflecting upon some respectable quakers in Philadelphia.
These letters were not genuine, and gave offence to some
of Parker's readers. He, therefore, the 29th of that month,
thus addressed the public,

"Poor Printers are often under a very unhappy dilemma,
of either displeasing one Part of their Benefactors, or giving
Offence to others; and sometimes get the Ill-will of
both sides; It has indeed been much against my Will to
print any Thing, that savour'd of Forgery, Invective, or
Partyism; but being too dependent, can't always avoid it:
The Press is looked on as the grand Bulwark of Liberty

Light, Truth and Religion; and if at any Time the Innocent
is attack'd unjustly, the Gospel pronounces such Blessed;
and common Sense tells us their Innocence will shine the more
conspicuously thereby: But on the other Hand, it often is
noted that Persons are too apt to be touch'd at having any
of their Faults exposed. However, if I have openly injur'd
any, I am willing as openly to vindicate them, or to give
them all the Satisfaction that Reason requires without
being sway'd with either their high Words or low Promises:

Shakespear'"

In 1753, William Weyman became the partner of Parker,
aud the principal manager of the paper. It was enlarged
to a crown sheet, and bore this title, The New York Gazette;
or, The Weekly Post-Boy. A cut of the colony arms divided
the title.

A stamp act was passed by the legislature of New York,
December 1, 1756, which was continued until January,
1760, but during that period this paper was sometimes
published with a stamp, and sometimes without; and it
often appeared without an imprint.

Parker & Weyman having published in the Post-Boy
some "Observations on the Circumstances and Conduct of
the People in the Counties of Ulster and Orange in the
Province of New York," which gave offence to the assembly,
they were taken into custody by the sergeant at arms;
Weyman on the 18th, and Parker on his return from
Woodbridge to the city, on the 23d of March, 1756. They
were discharged on the 30th of the same month, after acknowledging
their fault, begging pardon of the house, giving
up the name of the writer, and paying fees. The
writer was the Reverend Hezekiah Watkins, missionary
from the society for propagating the gospel in foreign

parts. He lived at Newburg, in Orange county, and, by
order of the house, at their next session, he was taken into
custody by the sergeant at arms, brought to New York,
and voted "guilty of a high misdemeanor, and contempt
of the authority of the house." In a petition presented to
the house he asked pardon, and promised to be more circumspect
in future. He was, in consequence, brought to
the bar, and there received a severe reprimand from the
speaker; and, after paying the fees, was discharged.[3]

This paper was ably conducted. It often contained original,
well written essays, moral and political; and the
circulation of it was for many years very extensive.

The partnership between Parker and Weyman expired
in February, 1759, at which time Weyman began another
paper. Parker, having assigned his paper to his nephew
Samuel Parker, resided principally in New Jersey after his
connection with Weyman ceased. The nephew printed
the Post-Boy until July, 1760, when his uncle returned to
New York, and resumed the publication. The imprint,
"Printed by James Parker and Co." John Holt was the
partner; but his name was not mentioned in the firm.
This partnership ended in April, 1762, and Holt then
printed the Post-Boy, on his own account, till October,
1766, when he relinquished it to Parker, who again resumed
its publication on the 27th of November, 1766, and
continued it, with some intermissions, on a demy sheet
well printed, until near the time of his death in 1770.
See Appendix I.

The Gazette and Post-Boy, like many other American
newspapers published at that time, appeared in mourning
on the 31st of October, 1765, on account of the stamp act;
it was, however, carried on as usual, without any suspension,
and without stamps. The Gazette dated November

7, 1765, contained an anonymous letter, directed to the
publisher Holt, which he informed the public, was thrown
into his printing house, and a copy of it set up at the coffeehouse.
The contents of the letter were as follows,

To the title of the Gazette of November 7, 1765, was
added in a large type this motto: "The United Voice
of all His Majesty's free and loyal Subjects in America—
Liberty, Property, and no Stamps."

On August 27, 1770, Samuel Inslee and Anthony Carr
published this paper, and continued it two years. The
publication was then suspended for several months; but in
August, 1773, it was renewed by Samuel F. Parker and
John Anderson. They printed the Post-Boy but a short
time, when it was discontinued; having completed a period
of thirty years from its first appearance before the public.

This was the fourth newspaper established in that city,
and it was printed by Henry De Foreest. It appeared before
the year 1746, and was continued until 1747. Thus
far I speak with certainty; but how long before 1746, and
how long after 1747, it was published, I have not been
able to ascertain. It was printed weekly, on Monday.

If we may judge of the editorial abilities, and the correctness
of the printer, by the following extract from the
Evening Post of October 13, 1746, we shall not be led to
rank him with the editor of the present New York Evening
Post,[4] who is one of the most able and celebrated conductors
of a public journal in the United States.

"Last Friday arrived here Capt. Griffin from Boston,
who informs, that as soon as they heard of the French
Fleet, the Bostoneers was in the greatest hurrey imaginable
to Fortifie the Place, which they have done in a very
strong manner; that there wat 30,000 fighting men, wereof
was 700 Horse; they are very well provided with all manner
of war like stores, and ready if Monsieaur should pay
them a Visit, to give him a very warm Reception."[5]

Fleet, who republished the above paragraph in the Boston
Evening Post of October 20, 1746, thus commented
upon it." Here's Veracity, Orthography and Grammar, all
in the Compass of a few Lines; and Brother Type may
well expect the Thanks of some Gentlemen, for the great
Honour he has done them in his inimitable Piece."

After this paper was discontinued, there were only two
published in that city until 1759, viz: Parker's Gazette,
and Gaine's Mercury.

The Mercury was first introduced to the public on the
3d of August, 1752.[6] It was published weekly, on Monday,
on a crown sheet, folio; a cut of the king's arms was
early introduced into and divided the title; this cut, in the
year 1763, was exchanged for a figure of Mercury; some
years after, the arms of the province took the place of
Mercury, when the title was altered to The New York
Gazette and the Weekly Mercury; and, in 1777, the king's
arms again appeared in the title. The usual imprint
for many years was, "Printed hy Hugh Gaine, Printer,
Bookseller and Stationer, at the Bible and Crown, in Hanover-Square."

For a few years, the collection of intelligence in this paper
was not inferior to that of any paper published in the city.
Its circulation became extensive, and it gained many advertising
customers.[7]

On the 12th of May, 1753, Gaine published in the Mercury
a part of the proceedings of the assembly of New
York, and the king's instructions to governor Osborne, I
believe without permission, and not correctly; for which
he was called to the bar of the house on the Wednesday

following. On asking pardon, he was merely reprimanded
by the speaker, and dismissed.

In 1775, a series of well written essays, under the title
of The Watch Tower, were published in this paper.

During the political contest with Great Britain, the Mercury
appeared rather as a neutral paper. Gaine seemed
desirous to side with the successful party; but not knowing
which would eventually prevail, he seems to have been
unstable in his politics. After the war commenced, he
leaned toward the country. When the British army approached
New York in 1776, Gaine removed to Newark,
in New Jersey, and there, during a few weeks, published
the Mercury. Soon after the British gained possession of
the city of New York, he returned, and printed under the
protection of the king's army; and, like Rivington, devoted
his paper to the royal cause.

During the war both Gaine and Rivington were taken
notice of by a poet to whom the muses were auspicious.[8]
Several poetical essays, of which Gaine and Rivington were
the heroes, appeared in the newspapers, and afforded no
small degree of amusement to those who were acquainted
with these noted typographers; particularly a versification
of Gaines's petition to the republican government of the
state, at the close of the war. See Appendix J.

Gaine published the Mercury until peace was established,
and it was then discontinued, after an existence of about
thirty-one years.

This paper made its first appearance February 17, 1759.
It was printed on a crown sheet, folio, every Monday, with
the king's arms in the title; and the typography was not inferior
to that of the other newspapers published in the city.

Weyman, who had been many years the partner of
Parker, and manager of the Gazette and Post-Boy, was
encouraged and handsomely supported by subscribers; and
for some time he had a share of advertising customers.
After publishing this paper several years, his subscribers
dropped off, his advertising customers decreased, and the
publication of the Gazette was several times suspended.

Weyman, who was printer to the colony, in November,
1766, published in his Gazette, the address of the house of
representatives to his excellency the governor, in answer
to his speech at the opening of the session of the general
assembly; in doing which, he neglected, contrary to the
rules of his profession, to read by copy, and to revise his
proof sheet; in consequence of this neglect two gross
errors escaped from his press. One was, the insertion of
the word never instead of ever; the other was the omission
of the word no. The sentence in which the word was
omitted, should have read thus—"Your excellency has
done us no more than strict justice in supposing that we
will cheerfully cooperate with you." Two days after the
publication of this address in the Gazette, the printer was
ordered to attend the house, and he attended accordingly.
Being asked by the speaker, "Whether he printed The
New York Gazette," which was shown to him; and answering
in the affirmative, he was asked, "Why he had in his

said Gazette, reprinted the address to his excellency Sir
Henry Moore, in a manner injurious to the honor and
dignity of the house?" He replied, that "he was very
innocent of the alteration made in the said address, till a
number of the Gazettes had been distributed; that upon
discovering the mistakes he immediately corrected the
press, and endeavored to get back all the erroneous copies;
that he had charged one of his journeymen with making
the alterations, but could not prove the fact upon him; and
that as the same had not been printed with any design by
him, he hoped the house would pardon his inadvertency."
Weyman was directed to withdraw; and, the house proceeded
to the consideration of the excuse he had offered;
after which he was ordered to attend the house, with his
journeyman, William Finn, the next morning at ten o'clock.
Weyman and his journeyman attended according to order,
and being placed at the bar of the house, Weyman was
further examined; the house then resolved, that the errors
made in reprinting the address, "appeared to be done
through the carelessness and inadvertency of the said
Weyman, without any design in him of reflecting on the
house." Weyman thereupon made an acknowledgment
of his fault, asked pardon of the house, and promising to
behave more circumspectly for the future, was discharged
from further attendance."[9]

Weyman made several severe attacks on Parker, his late
partner, who was comptroller of the post office, and indirectly

accused him of giving orders to postriders not to
circulate The New York Gazette; but it does not appear
that the comptroller of the post office did anything more, at
that time, than to require the publishers of newspapers
to furnish saddlebags for postriders, in which newspapers
might be carried separate from the mail, the contents of
which, it was said, often received injury from the dampness
of newspapers. By several of Weyman's remarks, it
is evident he was not on good terms with Parker after they
separated; and Weyman, in some of his addresses to the
public, mentioned that he had "to struggle hard against
many inconveniences, joined to his incumbrance occasioned
by the short circulation of cash, and the arrearages of his customers."
We do not often exhibit liberality toward those
of the same profession with ourselves, who, as we imagine,
enjoy a degree of prosperity superior to that which falls to
our lot, or consider whether the cause of our inferiority
may not be negligence or misfortune. Parker, by a long
course of business, and good management of his affairs,
possessed a very handsome property. Weyman, from various
causes, was not so fortunate, and therefore, probably,
did not feel that cordiality toward his former partner, he
otherwise might. However this may have been, Weyman
actually brought the following charge against one of the
postmasters general, and the comptroller of the post-office,
both of whom were publishers of newspapers, viz: of
"endeavoring to stop the circulation, by post, of any newspapers
but their own, under a base conclusion, that every
government ought to take its own newspapers."

Weyman's valedictory gives us an idea of his circumstances,
his feelings, and his editorial abilities. It is as
follows.

This Gazette terminated December 28, 1767, after it had
been published about nine years. The publisher died in
July following.

Note.—Weyman began in 1764 to print the Book of Common Prayer,
by order of Sir Wm. Johnson. The work met with so many hindrances,
that in 1768, when Weyman died, only 74 pages had been completed.
An account of the origin and progress of this work is given by Dr.
O'Callaghan in vol. viii, pp. 815–17, Doc. Colonial History of New York.
The printing of the work was finished by Hugh Gaine.—M.

Was published, if I recollect aright, rather short of two
years. I cannot be certain that I am altogether correct as
to the title. I once owned a file of this paper, but lost it
many years since. It was handsomely printed, on a crown
sheet, folio. The title was in German text, well engraved
on a block. Samuel Farley, the printer and publisher of
it, was an Englishman.[10] Before the Chronicle had fully
gained an establishment, the house in which it was printed
took fire and was consumed. The paper was first printed
in 1761, and was discontinued, in consequence of the fire,
in 1762.

A paper with this title was published in New York in
the year 1753. How long before this period the paper was
in circulation, or how long after, I am unable to say. I cannot
discover any one who is able to give me information
respecting it. It was published but a short time.

Holt, the editor of this Journal, began the publication
of it May 29, 1766, with new types, &c., but issued only
"Numb. 1," when it was suspended, and he resumed printing
Parker's New York Gazette, which he had relinquished
the preceding week.[11] He continued to publish the Gazette
till the 9th of October following, when he again resigned
the Gazette to the proprietor, and on the 16th of that
month recommenced publishing the Journal, which he did
not again lay aside; he, however, began this second publication
of the Journal with "Numb. 1241," following that
of Parker's Gazette. Of course Parker's Gazette and
Holt's Journal had the same number weekly at the head
of their respective papers, and both were published on
Thursday. The imprint to the Journal was, "New York:
Printed and Published by John Holt, near the Exchange,
(For six years last past, publisher of the New York Thursday's
Gazette and Weekly Post-Boy.") At first the title
was without a cut, but in a short time it appeared with the
king's arms; which, until 1775, decorated the titles of many
of the newspapers on the continent of North America, as
well as those of the West India islands.

In 1774, Holt discarded the cut of the king's arms from
the title of the Journal, and in its place introduced that of
a snake divided into parts, with the motto "Unite or die."
In January, 1775, the snake was united, and coiled with the
tail in its mouth, forming a double ring; within the coil
was a pillar standing on Magna Charta, and surmounted
with the cap of liberty; the pillar on each side was supported

by six arms and hands, figurative of the colonies.[12]
On the body of the snake, beginning at the head, were the
following lines,

Holt had published Parker's Gazette, first in company
with Parker, and afterwards on his own account, from
1760 to 1766. As I have before observed, he began the
second publication of the Journal with No. 1241, following
in order the number of the Gazette which he published the
preceding week. For this he assigned as a reason, that he
should be able the more readily to settle with his customers.
He seemed to consider the subscribers to Parker's Gazette
as his customers, and the Journal as a continuation of the
Gazette, which he had lately published. He mentioned
his "having occasion to alter the title of his paper, "meaning
Parker's Gazette; "and, that he had altered it, first
for the sake of distinction, as he was informed Parker intended
publishing a paper under the former title; and,
secondly, because, as Parker formerly published a paper
under that title, he, Holt, would not avail himself of any

advantages from a name originally assumed by Parker."
The fact was, Parker ever had been the proprietor of the
Gazette and Post-Boy, and had taken Holt as a partner;
and, two years after, when the copartnership ended, leased
to him his paper and establishment. Holt could not command
any property when he became the partner of Parker,
who had been many years in business, and had acquired
much celebrity as a printer, of which Holt as his partner
was a partaker, and derived much benefit from it; but after
his partnership and the subsequent lease of Parker's establishment
had expired, and he began business for himself,
he appeared disposed to retain both Parker's Gazette, and
the purchasers of it, without due compensation.

Holt procured a new printing-apparatus at the time he
began the Journal. This paper soon had a very extensive
circulation; it was sent to all who had been customers to
the Gazette; and was generally received.

The Journal was a zealous advocate for the American
cause; it was supported by many able writers besides
the editor; and it maintained its ground until the British
army took possession of the city of New York, in 1776,
when the publisher of it removed to Kingston (Esopus),
and the Journal was discontinued several months; but was
revived at that place in July, 1777. Esopus was burned
by the British in October of that year, and Holt removed
to Poughkeepsie, where he published the Journal until the
termination of the war.

In the Autumn of 1783, it was again printed in the
city of New York, with an alteration in the title, as follows:
The Independent Gazette; or The New York Journal
Revived. In January, 1784, it was printed, from a new
and handsome burgeois type, "at No. 47, opposite the
Upper Corner of the Old-Slip, Hanover-Square;" and was
published twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays; but
before the close of that month the editor, Holt, died.

Elizabeth Holt continued the Journal, after her husband's
decease, until 1785, but it appeared only on Thursdays.[13]

In January, 1787, Elizabeth Holt and Oswald[14] sold their
right in the Journal, and their establishment, comprising
the whole of their printing materials, to Thomas Greenleaf.

Greenleaf, soon after he came into possession of the Journal,
printed it daily, or rather, he made the establishment
the foundation of two papers. One he published with the
same title, weekly, on Thursday, for the country; the other,
intended for circulation in the city, bore the title of The
New York Journal, and Daily Patriotic Register. The titles
of these papers were afterwards altered. That printed daily
was called The Argus, or Greenleaf's New Daily Advertiser;
and the weekly paper was published twice a week, and entitled
Greenleaf's New York Journal and Patriotic Register.

When the two great political parties were forming, subsequent
to the organization of the federal government, that
which opposed the administration, attacked the measures
of the venerable Washington with a great degree of virulence,
in Greenleaf's paper.

Greenleaf was born at Abington, in Massachusetts, and
was taught printing in Boston, by Isaiah Thomas. He was
the son of Joseph Greenleaf, who, at an advanced age, in
1774, engaged in the printing business at Boston.

He continued the papers above mentioned until 1798;
at which time the yellow fever raged in New York, and
great numbers left the city to escape that pestilence; but
Greenleaf remained at his post, took the disease, and fell a

victim to it at the age of forty-two years. He was well
acquainted with his business, enterprising, and amiable in
his manners. After his decease, his widow, Ann Greenleaf,
published both the semi-weekly and daily paper for
a time; but eventually sold her establishment to James
Cheetham, who altered the title of both papers. The one
published semi-weekly was now called, The American Watchtower,
and the daily paper bore the title of The American
Citizen. Cheetham was born and brought up in England.
He was not bred to printing, but he was a very able editor,
and a distinguished writer. Occasionally the vigor and
pungency of his style remind his readers of the productions
of the renowned Junius.[15]

I have not been able to ascertain, accurately, when this
paper first made its appearance, or when it was discontinued;
but it was published by Alexander and James
Robertson, and commenced either in 1768 or 1769.

Not long after the close of the year 1770, the printers of
the Chronicle removed to Albany, and the publication of
it ceased.

This Gazette commenced its career April 22, 1778, on a
large medium sheet, folio. It was printed weekly, on Thursday;
and when it had been established one year, this imprint

followed the title, "Printed at his Ever open and
uninfluenced press, fronting Hanover-Square." A large
cut of a ship under sail was at first introduced into the title,
under which were the words New York Packet. This
cut soon gave place to one of a smaller size. In November,
1774, the ship was removed and the king's arms took
the place of it. In August, 1775, the words "Ever open
and uninfluenced" were omitted in the imprint.

The Gazetteer was patronized in all the principal towns
by the advocates of the British administration who approved
the measures adopted toward the colonies; and it undoubtedly
had some support from "his Majesty's government."
The paper obtained an extensive circulation, but eventually
paid very little respect to "the majesty of the people;"
and, in consequence, the paper and its publisher soon became
obnoxious to the whigs.

Rivington continued the Gazetteer until November 27,
1775; on which day a number of armed men from Connecticut
entered the city, on horseback, and beset his habitation,
broke into his printing house, destroyed his press,
threw his types into heaps, and carried away a large quantity
of them, which they melted and formed into bullets. A
stop was thus put to the Gazetteer.[16]

Soon after this event, Rivington went to England, where
he supplied himself with a new printing apparatus, and was
appointed king's printer for New York. After the British
gained possession of the city, he returned; and, on October
4, 1777, recommenced the publication of his Gazette under
the original title; but in two weeks he exchanged that title
for the following, Rivington's New York Loyal Gazette; and
on the 13th of December following, he called his paper The
Royal Gazette. Imprint, "Published by James Rivington,
Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty." The

Royal Gazette was numbered as a continuation of the Gazetteer,
and Loyal Gazette, and was published on Wednesdays
and Saturdays; printed on a sheet of royal size, with
the royal arms in the title.

Rivington could not consistently have given the Royal
Gazette the motto selected by our brethren, the printers of
the (Boston) Independent Chronicle—"Truth its Guide,
and Liberty its Object." This Gazette was, by some, called
The Brussels Gazette[17] of America; but it commonly
went by the name of Rivington's lying Gazette. Even
the royalists censured Rivington for his disregard to truth.
During the war, a captain of militia at Horseneck, with
about thirty men, marched to Kingsbridge, and there
attacked a house within the British lines, which was garrisoned
by refugees, and took most of them prisoners. Rivington
published an account of this transaction which greatly
exaggerated the affair in favor of the refugees; he observed
that a large detachment of rebels attacked the house, which
was bravely defended by a refugee colonel, a major, a
quartermaster, and fifteen privates; and that after they
were taken and carried off, another party of refugee dragoons,
seventy-three in number, pursued the rebels, killed
twenty-three of them, took forty prisoners, and would have
taken the whole rebel force, had not the refugee horse "been
jaded to a stand still." Several times did Rivington apologize
for mistakes made in paragraphs which he himself had
manufactured for his Gazette.

The following appeared in the Royal Gazette of July 10,
1782, when there was a prospect of peace.

"To the Public.—The publisher of this paper, sensible
that his zeal for the success of his Majesty's arms, his sanguine
wishes for the good of his country, and his friendship
for individuals, have at times led him to credit and circulate

paragraphs without investigating the facts so closely
as his duty to the Public demanded; trusting to their feelings,
and depending on their generosity, he begs them to
look over past errors, and depend on future correctness.
From henceforth he will neither expect nor solicit their
favors longer than his endeavors shall stamp the same degree
of authenticity and credit on the Royal Gazette (of
New York) as all Europe allow to the Royal Gazette of
London." See Appendix K.

During the war, a newspaper was published daily in the
city of New York under the following arrangement: Rivington's
Royal Gazette on Wednesday and Saturday, Gaine's
Gazette or Mercury on Monday, Robertson's, Mills & Hick's
Royal American Gazette, on Thursday—and Lewis's New
York Mercury and General Advertiser on Friday. These
papers were all published under the sanction of the British
commander in chief; but none of the printers assumed the
title of "Printers to the King" except Rivington, who had
an appointment.

When the war ended, Rivington discarded from his paper
the appendages of royalty. The arms of Great Britain no
longer appeared. It was no more The Royal, or a Loyal
Gazette, but a plain republican newspaper, entitled Rivington's
New York Gazette and Universal Advertiser. It was,
however, considered as a wolf in sheep's clothing, and, not
meeting with support, the publication of it terminated, and
the editorial, labors of Rivington ended, in the year 1783.
Few men, perhaps, were better qualified than the editor of
the Royal Gazette to publish a newspaper.

It has been remarked (page 309, vol. 1), that for some
time Rivington conducted his paper with as much impartiality
as most of the editors of that period; and it may be
added, that no newspaper in the colonies was better printed,
or was more copiously furnished with foreign intelligence.
In October, 1773, Rivington informed his readers that each

impression of his weekly Gazetteer, amounted to 3,600
copies.

Was first issued from the press of John Anderson, in
August, 1775; the publication of which was on Mondays
and Thursdays, and continued but a few months. It was
printed on a half sheet, quarto, of crown paper. It seems
to have borrowed its title from a political paper published
in New Jersey ten years before; but it resembled that paper
in the name only.

The publication of this paper commenced the first week
in January, 1776. It was printed Thursdays, on a sheet
of royal folio, with a new long primer type. Imprint:
"Printed by Samuel Loudon, in Water-Street, between the
Coffee-House and the Old Slip."

I take notice of this paper, although, it originated after
the war began, because it was the last established in the city
before the declaration of independence. Loudon died at
Middletown Point, New Jersey, February 24, 1813, in the
ninetieth year of his age.

During the war it was published at Fishkill; after the
return of peace it was again printed in the city; it was
finally changed to a daily paper, and continued several
years.

OTHER PERIODICAL WORKS
PUBLISHED IN NEW YORK BEFORE 1775.

This was a neatly printed paper, published weekly on
Thursday, on a sheet of foolscap writing, folio, by James
Parker. It contained moral and political essays, but no
news. It first appeared on November 30, 1752, and the
publication of it was supported two years. The pieces in
it were written by a society of literary gentlemen, in and
near New York; several of whom were afterwards highly
distinguished in public life. The late Governor Livingston,
the Rev. Aaron Burr, president of New Jersey College,
John Morin Scott, Gen. William Alexander, known afterwards
as Lord Stirling, and William Smith, who died chief
justice of Canada, were reputed to be writers for the
Reflector.

This work, it has been said, ultimately gave much offence
to men in power, by whom the writers for it were
silenced. Parker appeared to be intimidated, and declined
being further concerned in the publication. "The authors
applied to him to publish, by way of supplement, a vindication
of the work, with an account of its origin and design,
and the cause of its being discontinued. He refused,
and some suspected that he was drawn off by those in office,
instead of being alarmed into a relinquishment of the work.
After Parker declined, De Foreest was applied to, who consented
to print the supplement; and in an advertisement
said, or was made to say, that 'the writers of the Reflector,
on this occasion, were obliged to employ the worst printer

in the city.'" These were not, I believe, the identical words
used on the occasion, but it is the import of them.

Printed on a half sheet, foolscap, and published weekly,
on Friday, by Parker and Weyman. It was continued
about three months.

ALBANY.

A newspaper was first published in this city in 1772.[18]
Alexander and James Robertson were its publishers.

The publication of it ended in 1775. The Robertsons,
as has been observed under the head Connecticut, &c., were,
in 1773, concerned in printing The Norwich Packet; and it
is not improbable that, at the same time, one of them resided
in Albany and conducted the Post-Boy. In 1776,
they joined the royalists in the city of New York.