USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XII > Part 8
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1788, May 8-Berkshire Chronicle, at Pittsfield, by Roger Storrs.
This paper was printed on a sheet 12x16 inches, each page being but 8x12 inches in size. The place of publication was "near the Meeting House." The Chronicle bore for its motto:
" Free as the Savage roams his native wood, Or finny nations swim the briny flood."
No. 31, Dec. 19, 1788, was enlarged to 18x20 inches, and the name like- wise enlarged to Berkshire Chronicle and Massachusetts Intelligencer. It contained able moral, political and economical articles, relieved by lighter sketches, anecdotes and verses, together with foreign and domestic news, in compact and readable form. In the first number the readers are informed that "the printer would be happy to receive and publish any communica- tions of improvements in the arts, especially those of agriculture and manu- factures." In the number for Sept. 14, 1789, appear eleven excellent rules, by the celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, for conducting a newspaper. In those days of scarcity of money, the printer was glad enough to take his pay in grain, produce, wood, or any other article of commerce. The subscribers of the Chronicle were dilatory in their payments, and on Feb- ruary 13, 1789, Alvin Wolcott, post rider, informed his customers that he "proposed the next week, to go his circuit in a sleigh, for the purpose of transporting the pay which shall be ready for him at that time." In March, 1789, Mr. Storrs gave notice that on account of the scarcity of paper, he "would for the present publish only half a sheet, but as soon as the obstacles were removed, would print a half sheet extraordin-
clxxxiv NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
ary." On May 15, 1789, at the close of the first volume, the publisher returned his thanks to his "subscribers for their past favors and informed them that the newspaper would be suspended for two or three weeks, during which he asked for the payment of old dnes and an addition of new subscribers." He had engaged a supply of paper, and he expected in future to serve his customers without interruption. The publication was resumed soon after. In January, 1790, Mr. Storrs, with excusable pride, announced that "the printer of the Chronicle, having the intention to fur- nish his customers with the earliest intelligence, has engaged a post to ride weekly from his office in Pittsfield to Springfield on Mondays, and return on Wednesdays, with the papers published in the different States of the Union ; when matters of importance [appearing] by these will be published in the Chronicle on Thursday and immediately circulated to the several towns by the different post riders." The latest number known, No. 51, Vol. II., June 17, 1790, shows no signs of failure, but whether the paper was continued thereafter is not known.
In politics the Chronicle was Federalist, but moderate, although earnest. In morals, it opposed intemperance, gambling and lotteries.
1788, August 21-The American Herald and Worcester Recorder, at Worcester, by Edward Eveleth Powars, Printer and Book Seller.'
This was a continuation of The American Herald And The General Advertiser, started at Boston by Powars in 1781. The Herald, which was devoted chiefly to agriculture, was continued in Worcester during a period of one year and two months.
1788, September 15-The Herald of Freedom, and , the Federal Advertiser, at Boston, by Edmund Freeman and Loring Andrews.
This was a very neatly-printed little paper, small quarto in size, printed on a sheet 15 x 19 inches, four pages, three columns to the page. The pages were numbered consecutively. In the center of the heading was a cut representing the figures of Justice, Wisdom, Liberty and Fortitude, each holding her appropriate emblem. The paper was issued twice a week, on Monday and Thursday. The first number did not contain the usual opening address, nor any notice of the intended manner of publica - tion. The second number has a note of five or six lines, requesting "such of their patrons, as can make it convenient, to advance a quarter or half year's pay ;- if they can do this, without detriment to themselves, they will confer a great obligation on the editors." The original cut in the head- ing was replaced after a few months by a very elaborate and ornamental title, which is shown herewith :
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
clxxxv
(No gi.)
VOL. 114
The Herald of Freedom,
AND THE
FEDERAL ADVERTISER.
[Price Three Cents.]
TUESDAY, . Sensember 8, 1739.
[izs per Arn ]
table of the House of Representatives of the Unit ed State", the 28th ult
To His Excellency the PRESIDENT, and the Honor able the Senate and Houle ot Reprefontanves of the United States.
The Memorial and Petition of the Publick Creditors uso are Citizens of the Commonversion of Poroty! varia, by ale's Committee duly aushurried and in-
The following petition was read, and laid on the | adjourn without any more decifive act for the restora- tion of publick eredit, the mere inft tu'ien of offices, or the regulation of imsoft:, will hamust protect the American character itori the deriliof of its enemies, " the reproa hes of those who have'hitherto thought tlust the want of power :ses its only imperfection. Your memorialifts: with the utmof reference, beg leave to reprelen', that Di Blick eredit ishe vital fpark " modera putc. ; "tor the history of he morri de. monfrates ,at. whatever may be the extent of ter-
ilumicat 10 the principles of the revoludon, cr ite. 'e to the adoption of the fubfilling conitue> -n, will be itrefittably invited to puwake of the benefits,.end_con- fequently to promote the profferity of the confederati- on-cach flate will find an intereft in the welfare and punctuality of the reil-the federal government will be zealoufly supported as a general guarantee ; and, in fhort, a debt originating in the patriotiim that achieved the independence, may thus be con. verted into a cement that fhall Brengthen and perre. tuate the Union of America. .
In this number was the imprint in the colophon-" Printed at Boston (Massachusetts) every Tuesday and Friday, by Edmund Freeman and Lor- ing Andrews, Opposite the North Door of the State-House-Where Sub- scriptions for this Paper, at Twelve Shillings Per Annum (exclusive of Postage), Articles of Intelligence, Advertisements, &c., are thankfully re- ceived." This number contains the act of Congress of March 4, 1789, entitled " An Act to Provide for the Government of the Territory North- West of the River Ohio." In February, 1790, appeared an article "From a Correspondent," reflecting severely upon a member of the Legislature, which was followed by a complaint for libel made by John Gardner, the member in question, against Freeman, who was arrested. The trial came on in February, 1791, and attracted a great deal of attention all over the country, it being the first trial for libel in the Courts of Massachusetts. It resulted in a verdict of not guilty. About two months after this trial, Freeman took leave of the public in a very brief acknowledgment for favors received, and stated that the paper had been sold to John Howel. The latter published an address after the fashion of the day, promising to preserve inviolate the laws of decency and truth, to exercise the fullest in- partiality and most extensive candor, and to give the earliest and best authenticated intelligence. The issue for Tuesday, July 19, 1791, Numb. XXXV, Volume VI, is called simply Herald of Freedom. " Published Tuesdays and Fridays by John Howel, State Street, Boston. Two Dol- lars Pr. Ann." Shortly after, Howel announced the dissolution of the Her- ald of Freedom, and gave the following notice :
The public are now respectfully informed, that This Paper will Die To-day, and that, on Friday next, like the Phoenix from her ashes, will arise the Argus, to view with his hundred eyes, the literary, political, commercial, and agricultural interests of this great western hemisphere. Thus, various as his intentions, will, we trust, be the faculties of
clxxxvi NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
his entertainment ; and having already so liberally experienced the patronage of a dis- cerning public, under another name, will in future be as sedulous in his endeavors of merit, as they have already been liberal in the bounties of bestowing it.
Edmund Freeman was a native of Sandwich, Mass., and was brought up as a printer. Further mention of him will be found in later pages of this work.
1789, January-The Massachusetts Magazine: Or, the Monthly Museum of Knowledge and rational Enter- tainment, at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews.
This was an 80 magazine, neatly printed. The first number contained the following introduction :
To The Publick.
Agreeably to our promise, The Massachusetts Magazine now makes its appearance- It has no merit that we can boast of-It is an Infant, but, under the fostering care of liter- ary friends, may soon arrive to a respectful maturity.
Our best exertions shall not be wanting to render it worthy of the patronage we wish it to be favored with, and which, should it fail of receiving, it must, like its predecessors, soon cease to be !- but we are encouraged to hope that a work, which may be rendered so truly valuable, will not fail of being cultivated in a soil which Genius has marked for its own, and in which literary Flowers continually bud and blossom-let these Flowers only be handed to us-be transplanted into our parterre-and we shall soon be enabled to ex- hibit a most beautiful-a most useful variety.
We have received more original productions for this, our first number, than we expected -we feel grateful for them-and view them as a happy presage of future favors.
Respecting ourselves, we shall only observe, that we would avoid making any promises that we cannot fulfil-as Editors and Printers, we confess we feel ambitious of the pub- lick applause, and to gain this, no laudable efforts shall be wanting. Many of our plans for rendering this work worthy of attention and support, require time to produce their in- tended effect, and we request, at least, a suspension of censure. Every hint for improve- ment, will be thankfully received, and duly noticed.
We return our thanks to those who have already favoured us with subscriptions, and shall be happy to receive additions-they are necessary to enable us to prosecute this work to the satisfaction of numerous readers.
We are, the Publick's most obedient, And very humble Servants, The Editors.
Boston, Jan. 1789.
The first volume contained twelve numbers, those for May and Octo- ber having pp. 72 each ; the December number, pp. 66, and each of the other numbers, pp. 64, to which was added an index, pp. 6, and plates, frontispieces, portraits, maps, etc., pp. 14, making a total of pp. 802. The first volume has the following title :
The Massachusetts Magazine :
.
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. clxxxvii
Or, Monthly Museum Of
Knowledge and Rational Entertainment.
Containing Poetry, Musick, Biography, History, Physick, Geography, Morality, Criti- cism, Philosophy, Mathematicks, Agriculture, Architecture, Chemistry, Novels, Tales, Romances, Translations, News, Marriages, Deaths, Meteorological Observations, &c., &c. .
Omne Tulit Punctum, Qui Miscuit Utile Dulci, Lectorem Delectando, Pariterque Momendo .- Horace.
Vol. I .- For 1789. Edited by Thadeus Mason Harris. Printed at Boston,
By Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold at their Bookstore, No. 45, Newbury Street, and by said Thomas at his Bookstore in Worcester, by whom Subscriptions for this Work are still received.
MDCCLXXXIX.
Vol. II., for 1790, has the following engraved title : "The Massachu- setts Magazine, Or Monthly Museum. Containing the Literature, His- tory, Politics, Arts, Manners & Amusements of the Age. Simul et jucunda et idonea dicere vitæ. [Cut of two volumes.] Literatura Lux Menti." Imprint-"Printed at Boston, By I. Thomas and E. T. An- drews ; At Faust's Statue, No. 45 Newbury Street." This title was by Webb, Script, and S. Hill, Sculpt. The volume contains 780 pages, including an index of pp. 8 ; also 14 plates.
Vol. III., for 1791, pp. 795, including index, pp. II ; also 15 plates.
Vol. IV., for 1792, pp. 770, including index, pp. 10 ; also 9 plates.
Vol. V., 1793, pp. 774 (one wide column to a page), including index, pp. 6, and 13 plates.
Vol. VI., 1794, pp. 764; index, pp. (4), 16 plates, two columns to the page. Imprint : "Published at Boston By Weld, Greenough & Hill."
Vol. VII., 1795, pp. 576; index, pp. (3), 9 plates. Imprint : "Published in Boston, By Alexander Martin." This volume begins with April, 1795. Vol. VIII., 1796, pp. 688; index, pp. (5), 6 plates. Edited by William Biglow. Imprint : "Boston. Printed By James Cutler, At the Printing Office, In Quaker -- Lane, Where The Magazine, in Future, Will Be Deliv- ered."
The June number contains the following notice :
To The Public.
The engagement of Mr. Harris, as editor of this publication, closing with the pres- ent number, the Proprietors, with the greatest reluctance, are obliged to dispense with that gentleman's assistance, as he declines a renewal of his contract ; they have, therefore,
clxxxviii NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
determined to suspend the publication of the Massachusetts Magazine, until a new editor can be procured, etc.
Magazine Office, Quaker-Lane, June 1796.
In the July number appears the following :-
To the Public.
The Editor must apologize for the paucity of original matter in this number of the Magazine. The expected suspension of its publication has prevented correspondents from forwarding their customary communications.
The magazine ended with the number for December, 1796, Vol. VIII., No. XII.
The price is given on one of the covers, bound at the last of the vol- ume, as :
" ""Price 3 dolls. per ann. 25 cents single."
Thomas does not mention the last three volumes of this Magazine.
1789, April 23 (Tuesday) -Courier de Boston, at Boston, by Samuel Hall.
This was the first paper published in the French language in New Eng- land. It was printed on a small quarto sheet, eight pages, two columns to the page. Buckingham says "it was printed for Joseph Nancrede, a French emigrant, who kept a book store in Marlboro' street, opposite the Marlboro' Hotel, and received pupils for instruction in French." The following shows the arrangement of the title, together with the imprint of the first number :
Courier de Boston, Affiches, Annonces, et avis.
L' Utilité des deux Mondes.
Prix, 5 Pence. ] Du Jeudi, 23 Avril, 1789. [No. T.
A Boston, de l' Imprimerie de Samuel Hall, Libraire, dans le Cornhill, No. 53, ou l'on peut se procurer chaque Numéro. - On souscrit, pour le Courier de Boston, chez M. Hall ; à Salem, chez MM. Dabney et Cush- ing ; à New-York, chez M. Thomas Greenleaf, et John Fenno ; à Philadel- phie, chez M. Mathew Carey ; et chez les principaux Imprimeurs des Etats-Unis. -- L' Editeur se sera un plaisir, et même un devoir, de recevoir et de traduire tous les morceaux utiles qu'on voudroit lui communiquer dans tous les genres, sur-tout sur le commerce.
The paper was discontinued at the end of six months, with No. 26, in October, 1789.
1789, November-Western Star, at Stockbridge, by Lor- ing Andrews.
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. clxxxix
This paper was printed on a sheet 15 x 19 inches in size, four pages, three columns to the page. In the center of the heading was an eight- pointed star, with numerous fine lines between the points, separating the words "Western" and "Star." Imprint-" Printed And Published By Loring Andrews, Stockbridge (Massachusetts :)." The issue for Tuesday, February 24, 1795, No. 14, Vol. VI., Whole No. 274, has the word "An- drews's" in a scroll above the words Western Star, as part of the title. Imprint-"Printed at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, by Loring Andrews, By whom Subscriptions for this Paper, Essays, Articles of Intelligence and Advertisements would be thankfully received-Advertisements not ex- ceeding Twelve Lines will be inserted Three Weeks for Four Shillings- larger ones at a proportionate price, and continued on reasonable terms." The issue for Monday, February 27, 1797, No. 15, Vol. VIII., Whole No. 379, shows a slight change in the title to The Western Star, and that Andrews had been succeeded by Rosseter & Willard. With the issue for Monday, November 13, 1797, No. 52 of Vol. VIII., Whole No. 416, the eight-pointed star was restored to its place in the title. Rosseter & Wil- lard continued the publication until some time in the summer of 1798. The issues for Monday, April 23, May 7, May 21, 1798, had five columns to the page. The issue for Tuesday, August 21, 1798, No. 40 of Vol. IX., Whole No. 456, was printed by Benjamin Rosseter alone. In the issue for Tuesday, October 23, 1798, he announces that the supply of the usual paper gave out and he was obliged to use a smaller size, the sheet being 16 x 21 inches. He still published the paper on Monday, May 20, 1799, No. 26 of Vol. X., Whole No. 494. The title was afterwards changed to Berkshire Star. The paper was removed to Lenox in 1820, and continued as the Berkshire Journal until 1823; then as the Massachusetts Eagle. It was removed to Pittsfield in 1842, and is still published as the Berkshire County Eagle.
1790, July 20 (est. )-American Herald. And The Washı- ington Gasette, at Boston, by Edward Eveleth Pow- ars.
Printed on a sheet 18x21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. This was a revival of The American Herald previously published (1781-88) in Boston, and afterwards (1788-89) in Worcester, by Powars. The issue for Monday, December 13, 1790, Vol. I., Numb. 22, has the imprint- "Boston [Commonwealth of Massachusetts]: Printed and published by Edward Eveleth Powars, opposite the new Court-House, in Court-Street." This is the only number of this revival known to the writer. It may be noted here that the issue of the American Herald for Thursday, June 19, 1788, Volume VII., Number 365, has the imprint-"Boston : Printed by Edward Eveleth Powars, opposite the New Court-House, Court-Street. [Price Three Cents. ]" It will be observed that the new American Herald
CXC
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
was issued from the same locality as the first one-perhaps from the same. office. Powars probably consolidated the American Herald with the Her- · ald of Freedom, on acquiring the latter paper, in 1791 or 1792, continuing the publication from his old office.
I790 (?)-
at Pittsfield, by Alden Spooner, soon after removed to Windsor, Vermont .-- Holland.
This statement is based on a tradition, the accuracy of which has not been verified.
1791, August 28-The Argus, at Boston, by John Howel.
This was the successor of the Herald of Freedom. It was printed on a sheet 163 x 21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The earliest number known is dated August 30, 1791, Vol. VII., Numb. XLVII, and has the imprint :- "Massachusetts : Boston :- Printed and published Tuesdays and Fridays by John Howel opposite the Court-House, in Court-Street." Thereafter the number of the volume and of the paper was omitted. Howel soon relinquished the paper to Edward Eveleth Pow- ars, who continued it so late as Friday, June 28, 1793. The imprint of this number reads : "Boston :- Printed and Published, on Tuesdays and Fri- days, by Edward E. Powars, Directly opposite the Court-House, Court- Street. Price 13 | 4 Pr. Ann. 6 cents single."
1792, January 6 (Friday)-The American Apollo, at Bos- ton, by Belknap & Young.
This was an octavo magazine, principally literary in character, issued on Fridays. Each number contained two parts: Part I., Volume I., con- sisted of a few pages weekly of the Collections of the Massachusetts His- torical Society, which ran to 208 pages of the first volume in this form. Part II., Volume I., consisted of eight to twelve pages each, except No. 38, which has only four pages. The first twelve numbers of this joint publication were issued in dingy pink-colored wrappers ; after that in white ones. The cover title of one of the earliest numbers was as follows : No. 7.] Friday, February 17, 1792. [Vol. I.
THE AMERICAN APOLLO,
Containing the Publications of the HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Essays, Moral, Political, and Poetical, and the daily Occurrences in the Natural, Civil, and Commercial World.
cxci
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
[Cut of Apollo, with lyre, bow and arrows, a swan at his feet ; beneath, an open vol- ume, a globe, lyre, palette, laurel and palm ; above, a scroll, with the motto, Pater Mu- sarum Scientiæ Princeps.]
SUBSCRIPTIONS for the AMERICAN APOLLO, are received by the Publishers at their Printing-Office, State Street, Boston, and by the follow- ing Printers and Booksellers .- Mr. J. Dabney, and Mr. W. Carleton, Salem -B. Emerson, Esq. Post-master, Newburyport-J. Libbey, Esq. Post-mas- ter, Portsmouth-S. Freeman, Esq. Post-master, Portland-I. Thomas, Esq. Worcester-Mr. E. W. Weld, Springfield-T. Hilldrup, Esq. Postmaster, Hartford, and by many other gentlemen in various parts of the United States.
Printed at Boston, By BELKNAP and YOUNG, State Street.
In the first number is the announcement :
The Printers of the American Apollo present the compliments of the season, to their friends and patrons and thank them for the generous encouragement which they have given to this undertaking. They hope they shall be able by constant attention, to pro- ·mote the valuable design for which this paper is published, and merit their future favours.
We are happy in presenting the public with the Apollo, from the first complete Print- ing-Press ever made in this town-The wood-work was made by Mr. Berry, and the iron- work by Mr. McClench, it is well executed in every particular, and does honor to the in- genious constructors.
The first page of each cover contained the title as above. The other pages were filled with advertisements, principally of books printed by the publishers of the magazine. Numbers I to 19 were printed by Belknap & Young, who dissolved partnership May 16, 1792. No. 20 was printed by Joseph Belknap, and Numbers 21-39 by Messrs. Belknap and Samuel Hall. No. 39 was the last that appeared in octavo form, and these 39 numbers, making 416 pages, constitute Volume I. After that the Apollo was enlarged to a newspaper, containing four pages, and continued till December 25, 1794, Nos. 40-156, when the paper was doubtless discon- tinued, although No. 156 contains no notice of discontinuance. Hall re- tired from the paper with the issue No. 130, and Nos. 131-156 were issued by Joseph Belknap alone.
In its enlarged form as a newspaper, Buckingham says that "it was well conducted and maintained a respectable literary character. The editor's paragraphs discover a better knowledge of the English language and a more familiar acquaintance with composition, than those of the con- temporary Boston journals. The correspondents were numerous, and many of their contributions are of a character well adapted to amuse and improve the readers. The selections, in general, were judiciously made, and evince care and industry in collecting and condensing intelligence, and purity of taste in gathering sentiments, anecdotes, and historical fragments from popular authors. Its politics were of the Federal school, but neither ultra nor violent."
cxcii
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Joseph Belknap was the son of the Rev. Dr. Jeremy Belknap, the histo- rian, and was brought up as a printer ; he was the editor of the Apollo, and probably received some aid from his father at the commencement of the enterprise. Belknap's partner, Young, was the father of the Rev. Dr. Alexander Young, of Boston.
No title page of the Apollo in octavo form was ever issued, nor was there any preface, index or explanation, other than above.
1792, February 1-Impartial Intelligencer, at Greenfield, by Thomas Dickman.
The paper was printed on a sheet 16 x 193 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The name was changed in the August following to Greenfield Gasette, and on March 5, 1795, to Greenfield Gazette, Or, Mass- achusetts and Vermont Telegraphe. The issue for Thursday, May 21, 1795, No. 17, of Vol. IV., Whole No. 173, has the following imprint :
Printed at Greenfield, (Massachusetts,) by Thomas Dickman.
Advertisements for this paper, which has a large circulation in the States of Massachu- setts and Vermont, will be thankfully received, and inserted on moderate terms.
"&"Said Dickman constantly keeps for sale, at his Book Store, in Greenfield, an assort- ment of Books and Stationary.
*** Printing, in its various branches, performed with neatness and dispatch.
This number was printed on a sheet 17 x 21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. On January 4, 1798, the title was again changed, as follows :
Greenfield Gazette.
An Impartial Register Of The Times.
Printed And Published On Thursdays, by Thomas Dickman, At His Printing Office, In Greenfield, Massachusetts ; Where Subscriptions, Ad- vertisements, &c. For This Paper, Are Received.
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