University of Virginia Library

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.