USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XII > Part 11
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Extract from the Conditions of Publication :
" The price'to subscribers will be only I dollar and 25 cts. per annum, exclusive of post- age, payable in quarterly payments. The first payment to be on the receipt of the first number, the next at the end of the second quarter, and afterwards at the expiration of . every term."
The Heatons failed to realize their expectations1, and in November, 1797, the paper passed into the hands of Herman Mann, senior, who con- tinued the publication "At his Printing-Office about 90 Rods East of the Court-House," at the same rates as above, $1.25 per year. With the issue for Thursday, March 8, 1798, Vol. II., No. 74, a change in proprietorship appears, the paper being "Published by H. Mann and T. H. Adams, near the Court-House." Adams withdrew after a few months, and the paper for Thursday, September 20, 1798, Vol. II., No. 102, was published by Herman Mann alone. No. 118, Vol. III., Thursday, January 10, 1799, shows a change in the title to Columbian Minerva, with a cut of an eagle with outspread wings between the two words of the title. The subscrip- tion price was now "I Dol. 50 Cents per Ann." This number was printed on a larger sheet, 18 x 22 inches, four pages, four columns to a page, and Mr. Mann calls the attention of the public to the
MINERVA ENLARGED.
To the Public.
In an age and country, possessing privileges and enlightened, like ours, it may be almost unnecessary to attempt to impress on the public mind, the utility of the diffusion and increase of knowledge and of literature in general. Any practicable method, then, it should seem, need only be proposed, to meet with general encouragement.
If is from a hope and belief, more and more confirmed in this, added to a solicitude to become more instrumental in the promotion of that incalculable good, that may result from the cultivation of these objects, that the Editor of the Minerva has presumed to com- mence its publication on a larger scale.
Plan.
The Columbian Minerva will continue to be published every Thursday Morning. 'The epithet, he has taken the liberty to prefix to the side, he offers as a pledge of his intended exertions to promote the general prosperity of the country, of which it is expressive, and in which, his choicest hopes centre .- He will give in detail, the events of foreign nations, with as much impartiality and precision, as may be attainable by his fallible judgment. The affairs and events of his own country naturally claim his first and most candid atten- tion. He determines to give a more ample scope to Congressional and State Proceedings and Debates ; which he conceives to be of the first importance to every class of citizens .-
1 In 1799 the Heatons were printing at Wrentham, Mass. See Brinley, 7142.
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HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
In short, after ranging the world in quest of information, without imbibing the ideas of any foreign influence and pretended, which may tend to lessen the dignity, or abridge the independence of America-he will return to his native Country, fully satisfied, that it deserves all his efforts to render it flourishing and happy. He also proposes to give an accurate State of the Market, once a month, or less, if found interesting .- The last page of the Columbian Minerva will be made a Repository for the Belles Lettres, and the most rational kind of Amusement. And Proficients and Patrons of these arts, as well as those of politics, will always receive due attention.
*** The price of this paper is acknowledged, not only by its original Printers, but all who have estimated the prime cost of materials and stocks, to be too low. The present Printer of it assures his Patrons, that the bare paper is considerably more than one third of the weekly amount-the use of materials, &c. is then gratis .- He does not expect to become rich by publishing a Newspaper-he does not even wish to be independent, with- out exertions.
Conditions.
I. The Columbian Minerva is published every Thursday Morning, on a fair type, and on paper of a large demy size.
II. It will be delivered to Subscribers, at the rate of One Dollar and Fifty Cents per annum, exclusive of Postage.
III. Payment to be made quarterly-or one half in advance, the remainder at the close of the year. Advertisements will be inserted in a conspicuous manner, and at a rea- sonable rate.
IV. Post-Riders and Others, who will take a number of Papers, and make seasonable payment, shall receive them at a reduced price-Also, any one, who will procure Nine Subscribers, and become accountable for the Pay, shall receive one gratis.
January 3, 1799.
H. Mann.
Number 128, Volume III., Thursday, March 21, 1799, has in the title, the cut of a figure of Wisdom, seated on a throne, holding a sceptre in one hand, the other resting upon a globe, with the motto below, "Lux Sapien- tiæ." This was printed on a sheet 20 x 23 inches. The subscription price was "gs. per Ann." No. 165, Vol. IV., December 5; 1799, announ- ces : "This number of the Columbian Minerva completes two years since the present editor became proprietor of it." The issue for Thursday, De- cember 26, 1799, has a mourning band enclosing the columns, on account of the death of Washington. In the issue of June 12, 1800, is announced the death, at Wrentham, of Benjamin Heaton, formerly one of the editors of the paper. The Minerva was discontinued September 4, 1804, when its edi- tor in his valedictory to the public, remarks : "Few persons of the present day, are willing to labor, either with hands or head, without compensation, and, generally, what is called a handsome profit. While I am ready, and do, from my heart lament my inabilities as an editor, to make it [the Mi- nerva] of the utmost utility-I have to deplore the want of encouragement to bring every latent spark of genius into its best exercise." Apparently Mr. Mann was not hopelessly discouraged with his newspaper experience, for on May 14, 1805, he started the Norfolk Repository ; this continued until September 17, when the post rider disappeared with a large share of the funds belonging to the establishment, and its publication was unavoid- ably suspended, and was not resumed until March 25, 1806, when it was published in quarto form until its final decease in 18II. Mann was the author of the Annals of Dedham, which he printed in 1813, and printed
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
several music and other books at Dedham, between 1797 and 1815; in the last named year the business was in the name of H. Mann & Co. 1
1797, October 31 (Tuesday )-The Newburyport Herald and Country Gazette, at Newburyport, by William Barrett and Angier March.
Printed on a sheet 17 x 22 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. As already stated, this was a consolidation of the Impartial Herald and the Political Gazette establishments, the former owned by William Barrett, and the latter by Angier March. The following shows the title, etc., of the first number of the consolidated paper :
No. I, of Vol. I.]
The
[Tuesday, Oct. 31, '97.
Newburyport Herald and Country Gazette.
Published on Tuesdays and Fridays, by Barrett & March, West Corner of Market-Square.
GE"The price of the Newburyport Herald, &c. is Two Dollars and Fif- ty Cents per ann. exclusive of postage, and Six Cents single.
It was continued as a semi-weekly for some time. The issue for Fri- clay, January 5, 1798, Vol. I., No. 20, shows that Mr. Barrett had with- drawn from the concern, and the paper was "Published on Tuesdays and Fridays, by Angier March, at his Office, Middle-Street." In the issue for Tuesday, January 9, 1798, No. 21, Vol. I., is the following notice of terms, etc. :
This Paper,
Is published every Tuesday and Friday, at the very low price of Two Dollars fifty cents per ann. one quarter to be paid in advance.
Subscriptions, thankfully received ; etc.
Communications, Articles of intelligence, &c thankfully received etc.
Advertisements inserted on reasonable terms-but must be paid for previous to insertion. Every kind of Printing executed with care and dispatch on the most moderate terms by
Angier March, Who keeps constantly for Sale, at his Office, State-Street, Books & Stationary, and blanks of various kinds at the lowest prices.
No. 19 of Vol. III., Tuesday, December 31, 1799, is in mourning ou account of the death of Washington. The paper was well conducted by March, who showed considerable ability as an editor and writer. The Herald subsequently passed through many hands, and is still published.
1798, January 1-The Federal Gazette and Daily Adver-
J Brinley, 5947, 5897, 5931, 5927, 6069, 5958.
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HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
tiser, at Boston, by Caleb P. Wayne.
Printed on a crown sheet, 17 x 21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. It was a daily paper. In the first number the editor defined his principles in this language :
As the editor is an American, he shall avoid as much as possible all partiality towards any foreign nation ; and shall speak favorably or unfavorably of each, in proportion to the injuries of which it may be guilty, or the good faith it may observe, towards his own country. No private scandal or defamation will ever find a place in his paper; but pub- lic men and public measures, he conceives, are fair subjects of public animadversion. Ja- cobinical principles he detests, and shall omit no opportunity of exposing their dangerous · tendency, though he shall not soil his page with illiberal censure on the individuals who propagate them, as long as they keep within the bounds of decorum and personal respect; but he will not pledge himself always to treat with tenderness the notorious revilers of our government and its officers. This is the only impartiality which the editor professes, and these are the only sentiments he thinks a real American should entertain.
The editorials were generally short, but spicy and ill-natured. He en- gaged in a newspaper war in which he attacked, to use his own language, "The notorious Jacobin Bache, Editor of the Aurora, Printer to the French Directory, Distributor General of the principles of insurrection, anarchy, and confusion-the greatest fool, and most stubborn Sans Cu- lotte in the United States ;" "the insipid and detestable Editor of the Recorder, O'Carey,1 who so generously supplies all the pastry-cooks in Philadelphia with his paper gratis, for their various uses ; a general ped- ler in French Arguments ; and who, after having been four or five times sent to oblivion, has lately been permitted by the Devil to come forth again and wage war with virtue and order ;" "One Holt, of New London, Editor of a little vehicle of sedition, called the Bee-for which he will accept pay in anything ;" "Next, with majestic stride, appears a member of the new order of Jacobin Cavalry, arrayed with the Wooden Sword and other insignia, Charles Pierce, the irredoubtable Editor of the Portsmouth Oracle." The daily issue of the Federal Gazette was discontinued March 5, 1798, and on March 8, the paper was issued as The Federal Gazette and General Advertiser, on Mondays and Thursdays, until March 26, 1798, when it was discontinued.
, "The failure of this enterprise," says Buckingham, "could hardly have been avoided. The income from advertising customers was small, and could not have been worth naming in comparison with the necessary cost of a daily publication. The original communications were not numerous, and what few there were, were chiefly on the politics of the day, -subjects on which the editor himself exhausted all his powers. Most of his paragraphs are similar in style and temper to the specimens already given. The paper was apparently conducted with industry ; but industry without judgment is not all that is required to render a daily paper worthy of extensive support.
"Wayne came to Boston from Philadelphia, and returned to that city soon after the discontinuance of the Federal Gazette."
1 Matthew Carey.
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
1798, January 17 (Wednesday)-Berkshire Gazette, at Pitts- field, by Orsemus C. Merrill and Chester Smith.
Printed on a sheet 19 x 23 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The second number shows the title, motto, etc., as follows :
BERKSHIRE GAZETTE.
Number Il. ] "Man Is Man, And Who Is More." [Volume I.
By Merrill And Smith, Pittsfield ; Wednesday, January 24, 1798.
No explanation was ever vouchsafed of the Bunsbyan motto. Merrill withdrew from the firm in June, 1798, and was succeeded by Nathaniel Holley, the paper then being printed by the firm of Holley & Smith. In March, 1799, Holley retired, and the paper was thereafter conducted by Chester Smith alone. In assuming sole charge of the paper, he announced that the subscription price, delivered at the office, would be "one dollar per annum, as previously, or one dollar and fifty cents if delivered by carrier or post rider. Advertisements not exceeding twelve lines are inserted three times for one dollar, and three weeks longer for thirty-eight cents. Longer advertisements in proportion." The issue for Wednesday, April IO, 1799, Number 13, Volume II., has the following imprint :
Printed at Pittsfield, (Massachusetts)-by Chester Smith. By Whom Advertisements and Subscriptions for this Paper, are received .- The Price is One Dollar and Fifty Cents per Annum. Those who call at the Office for their Papers, in companies, or otherwise, shall have them for One Dollar .- Advertisements, not exceeding twelve lines, are inserted three weeks for One Dollar, and continued three weeks longer for Thirty eight Cents .- Larger Advertisements in proportion.
*** Printing In Its Various Branches, Performed With Care, Neatness And Dispatch.
The latest number known is Number 41, Volume II., Wednesday, Oct - ober 23, 1799. The paper may have been continued to the end of the year, but no longer. In the following October, J. D. & S. D. Colt de- manded payment from those indebted to its publisher, by an advertise- ment in the Pittsfield Sun, which then succeeded to the printing office.
1798, March 17 (Saturday) (est.)-The Farmers' Register, at Pumpkin Hollow, Conway, by Theodore and A.
H. Leonard.
Printed on a sheet 19 x 22 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The following shows the appearance of the title, etc., of the earliest num- ber known :
The Farmers' Register.
Here truth unlicens'd reigns, and dares accost, Even kings themselves, or rulers of the free. Thomson's Liberty.
Vol. I .- No. 23.] Saturday, August 18, 1798. [I Dol. & 50 Cents Per Ann.
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HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
Conway-(Massachusetts)-Printed & Published by Theodore & A. H. Leonard, a few rods north of the Meeting-House, Where Advertisements will be inserted on reasonable terms, and Communications gratefully received.
It was first printed in the house occupied in 1867 by Osee Adams (then standing a little south-east of where the Baptist Meeting-House stood in 1867), and afterwards used as a tin-shop; later, "a few rods north of the Meeting-House," in Pumpkin Hollow, in the building occupied some time prior to 1867 by Lucy Severance. 1 The ambitious publishers evidently discovered, after a brief experience, that the profits of the concern, divided by two, were insufficient for their support, and the second mem- ber of the firm retired, leaving the paper to be conducted by Theodore Leonard alone, with the same title and at the same place. Mr. Leonard had no editorial sentiments, and published whatever came to his hands, on both sides of the political questions of the day. Part of the contents of of his paper were Federalistic in their sentiments, part Republican, and part moral. Many of the political communications were of a character that would not be tolerated in any respectable paper of this day. Leonard also printed a hymn book at Haverhill, in 1798. It is said that the paper was continued for about two years, but the latest number known is the issue for Saturday, October 6, 1798, Vol. I., No. 30, and it is doubtful if it was continued much beyond that date.
1798, July 5 (Thursday) (est.)-Political Focus, at Leo- minster, by Charles and John Prentiss.
Printed on a sheet 18 x 22 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. This paper was printed from the former office of the Rural Repository, previously published by Charles Prentiss. The appearance of the head- ing of the earliest number known, together with the conditions, are shown herewith :
I Doll. 50 Cents Per Ann.] Political Focus. [6 Cents Single.] Leominster, (Massachusetts)-Published Every Thursday, By Charles & John Prentiss, North Of The Meetinghouse.
Vol. I.] Thursday, July 26, 1798. [No. 4.
The
Political Focus
Will continue to be published every Thursday, on paper of its present size, and with the type which is now exhibited.
Payment will be expected quarterly, except where for mutual convenience stipulations to the contrary are made. Subscriptions for this paper will be gratefully received. Ad- vertisements inserted reasonably.
All kinds of Printing performed with neatness and dispatch at this Office.
1 Address by Charles B. Rice, at Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Conway, Mass., June 19, 1867, Northampton, 1867, P. 53.
1
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
In March, 1799, John Prentiss left the town and went to Keene, New Hampshire, where he began the publication of the New Hampshire Centi- nel. The Political Focus was continued by Charles Prentiss as sole pro- prietor so late as Thursday, December 5, 1799, Vol. II., No. 75. Soon after this date he was associated with A. Rind in the publication of the Washington Federalist, at Georgetown, District of Columbia, as already related. Although paying more attention to political matters, the Political Focus was distinguished by the same literary excellencies which had char- acterized the Rural Repository.
1798, July 27 (Friday)-Impartial Herald, at Haverhill, by Angier March.
Printed on a sheet 17 x 23 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The arrangement of the title and the publisher's salutatory are given here- with :
Impartial § A flying figure, holding a flag in one? ¿hand and a pair of scales in the other. )
Herald.
Printed At Haverhill, (Massachusetts, ) By Angier March.
Vol. I.)
Friday, August 3, 1798. - (No. 2.
To The Public.
It is usual on the commencement of a Newspaper, to preface it with a long address to its Patrons-But the Editor of this paper offers it to the subscribers and to the Public without a long profession of faith-sensible that its character cannot be determined by an address in the first publication. He will only observe that if the most assiduous attention to business, the most sacred regard to truth, and an inviolable attachment to his country and government have any merit in the view of his fellow citizens, he cannot but hope the Impartial Herald will receive some share of the public favor.
Conditions.
I. This paper will be continued on its present size and type.
II. No exertions will be wanting to render it interesting in point of intelligence and information-speculative essays, political effusions and pieces of humour will form its en- tertainment.
III. The price will be 372 Cents, per quarter, exclusive of postage, to be paid in advance. -Papers will be packed according to direction, and forwarded to Subscribers at a distance, by the earliest conveyances.
*** The correspondence of Moral, Political, Philosophical and Poetical writers is press- ingly solicited. Useful and entertaining extracts will be thankfully received. Gentlemen from Boston, Salem or elsewhere, will particularly oblige by favoring me with late papers, or intelligence. Advertisements conspicuously and reasonably inserted.
A Card.
Those printers of Newspapers who will forward their papers in exchange will confer an essential obligation on
The Editor.
Haverhill, July 27.
It will be remembered that March had previously published a paper called the Impartial Herald, at Newburyport, which had been consoli- dated in October, 1797, with the Political Gazette, under the title of New-
ccxvii
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
buryport Herald and Country Gazette. In the issue of his Haverhill paper for Friday, September 7, 1798, Vol. I., No. 7, was the following notice :
( This paper is published every Friday at the low price of 2/ 3 per. quarter, exclusive of postage, to be paid in advance .- Papers will be carefully packed according to direction and forwarded to subscribers at a distance by the earliest conveyances. Advertisements conspicuously and reasonably inserted.
On October 26, 1798, March transferred the paper to Seth H. Moore and Chester Stebbins, who changed the name to Haverhill Federal Gazette, beginning a new series of numeration. (See under the date just mentioned.)
1798, August 14 (Tuesday)-The Political Repository: Or, Farmer's Journal, at Brookfield, by Ebenezer Mer- riam & Co.
Printed on a sheet 19 x 233 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The following shows the arrangement of the title and the imprint of the earliest number known :
The Political Repository : Or, Farmer's Journal.
Vol. I.] Brookfield, Massachusetts, Tuesday, August 14, 1798. [No. I.
Printed at Brookfield, Massachusetts, by Ebenezer Merriam & Co. By whom Adver- tisements and Subscriptions are received. The price of this Paper is One Dollar and Sev- enty-Five Cents Per Annum, or for fifty-two Newspapers :
A smaller number of Papers at a Price proportionable. Advertisements not exceeding Twelve Lines, are inserted three Weeks for One Dollar, and continued three Weeks longer for Fifty Cents. Large Advertisements at a price proportionable.
C&A general Assortment of Books and Stationary for Sale, by said Merriam & Co: in Brookfield, and by G. Merriam in Worcester.
Ebenezer Merriam had bought out a printing office previously established by Isaiah Thomas, in 1793, he having been one of Thomas's apprentices. He subsequently took in his brother John as a partner. Later, George and Lewis, sons of John, and Ebenezer P., son of Ebenezer, became partners in the concern, and thus originated the great printing and publishing busi- ness of the Merriams of Springfield, still carried on in that place. They are most widely known as the publishers of Webster's Dictionaries. The Repository for Tuesday, January 29, 1799, has appended to the title the motto "Utile Dulci."-"We blend the sweet with the useful."-Horace. The latest issue known is Vol. IV., No. 195.
1798, October 26 (Friday)-Haverhill Federal Gazette, at Haverhill, by Seth H. Moore and Chester Stebbins.
As previously stated, this was a successor of the Impartial Herald, begun July 27, 1798. It was printed on a sheet 19 x 23 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The new publishers brought out their paper with the following heading and introduction :
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Haverhill Federal Gazette.
Haverhill, Massachusetts : Printed by Seth H. Moore & Chester Steb- bins, Near The Bridge.
No. I. Vol. I.] Friday, October 26, 1798. [I DIl. & 75 Cts. pr. Ann.
Printing-Office, Haverhill, October 26, 1798. To the Patrons of the Impartial Herald.
The Subscriber, from the remoteness and variety of his avocations, finding it impossi- ble to do justice, at the present critical situation of our national affairs, to the publication of a Newspaper in this town ; and justly appreciating the importance, for general informa- tion, of having a Federal and well conducted Paper published here, has transferred the right and charge of the business, heretofore continued under his care, to Messrs. Seth H. Moore & Chester Stebbins ;
(Subscribers who have not conformed to his conditions, by paying one quarter in advance, are requested to settle with the above gentlemen, who are empowered to receipt therefor, in behalf of
A. March.
To the Public.
The subscribers having purchased the copy-right of this paper, of Mr. Angier March, beg leave to inform the Public, and the former Patrons of the "Impartial Herald," that the publication will be continued by them, under the title of the " Haverhill, Federal Gazette."
Seth H. Moore, Chester Stebbins.
The word Federal in the title was surmounted by an eagle ; below, were flowers and leaves.
No. 37, Vol. I., is dated Thursday, July 4, 1799, and announces that the paper will be published " Every Thursday Morning, Near The Bridge." The latest number known is No. 5, Vol. II., Whole No. 57, Wednesday, November 20, 1799. The paper was discontinued with the issue of a week later. It was fairly well printed, and in its general character and point of ability was about on a par with most of its contemporaries.
1798, December 8-Columbian Courier, at New Bedford, by Abraham Shearman, Jun.
Printed on a sheet 18 x 22} inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The heading and imprint of the Courier appear below :
Columbian Woodcut. Courier.
Printed and Published by Abraham Shearman, Jun. at the Four-Corners, New-Bedford, Massa.
No. 2. Vol. I.] Evening of Seventh Day, XII. Mo. 15. [I D. 50 cts. pr. Ann. -or Saturday, December 15, 1798.
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