USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XII > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
[Vol. VI., No. 310. ] Thursday, January 4, 1798. [I Dol. & 25 Cts. per Ann. ] Conditions,
On which the Greenfield Gazette, will be published for the year ensuing.
I. To be published on Wednesday, commencing on the tenth day of the present month, and will be handed to its patrons early on the day of publication.
II. To be printed on white paper, of the usual size, and with a clear and handsome type.
III. The price to subscribers will be one dollar and twenty five cents per annum, de- livered at the office, to be paid semi annually.
IV. Those who procure thirteen subscribers, and become responsible for the payment, to have the fourteenth gratis.
V. It shall be composed of the earliest and most authentic intelligence, foreign and domestic : Laws of the state: Essays, moral and political : Congressional proceedings : Pieces of humour: Advertisements ; and such other speculative pieces as will afford knowledge or entertainment.
Printing Office, Greenfield, Jan. 1, 1798.
With the edition of April 25, 1798, a supplement of one sheet, with three columns, was issued.
On August 20, 1798, Dickman sold the Gazette to Francis Barker, who
cxciii
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
added to the first title, Greenfield Gazette, the words, in a separate line, " And Register Of Genuine Federalism." The issue for Saturday, Sep- tember 1, 1798, Vol. VII., No. 345, has this title and the following imprint :
Printed at Greenfield, (Massachusetts) by Francis Barker.
By whom Subscriptions for this Paper, at One Dollar and Twenty Five Cents per an- num, are received .- Advertisements inserted on reasonable terms.
( A general assortment of Books and Stationary for sale at his Office, at the New York and Boston prices.
*** Printing, in its various branches, performed with care, neatness, and dispatch.
On June 17, 1799, Barker sold the establishment back again to Mr. Dickman, and the issue for Monday, June 24, 1799, Vol. VIII., No. 387, appears under his name. He continued the paper until May 31, 1802, when he sold it to John Denio, an apprentice in his office, who dropped the party suffix. Mr. Denio, after publishing the paper for twenty-four years, removed to Albany, in June, 1827. The Gazette was continued for many years under various changes of name and ownership. In 18II, the title was changed to The Traveler, and in a few weeks to Franklin Herald.
Thomas Dickman was a native of Boston, and served his apprentice- ship with Benjamin Edes & Sons, and was postmaster in that town under John Adams. After selling the Gazette to John Denio, in 1802, he removed to Springfield, but subsequently returned to Greenfield, where he died, December 9, 1841, aged 73 years.
1792, November 27 (Tuesday)-The Medley Or Newbed- ford Marine Journal, at New Bedford, by John Spooner.
This paper was printed on a sheet 17x21 inches, four pages, four columns to a påge. The imprint of the first number reads-"New Bed- ford, (Massachusetts.) Printed and Published by John Spooner, at his Of- fice near Rotch's Wharf." Beneath this is the editor's introduction, in which he says :
Here is an extensive country situate remote from the Printing Press-Its inhabitants numerous ; but a small part of them knowing or being known in the transactions of the world unless they advance a large extra sum for their knowledge. To instruct them in the ways of men at a much cheaper rate, and make each one who rightly inproves the advantages arising from a weekly gazette as knowing as his fellow, &c., the Editor has undertaken a Weekly Newspaper, and with this address introduceth for their inspection, the first number of his Medley. .
The Editor flatters himself that so long as his exertions tend to scatter the rays of knowledge, of morality, and of refinement, among the people, the public will afford him every reasonable encouragement in proportion to the utility of his exertions.
John Spooner.
(" The Printer has been obliged to alter the day for publishing the Medley from Thursday as mentioned in his proposals so as to compare with the arrival of the Northern Mail. While the stage continues its weekly route, Saturday will be the day of publication. 4 The issue for Friday, February 13, 1795, No. 15 of Volume III., Whole Number 119, states that the paper was "Printed And Published 13
1
cxciv
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
By John Spooner, At His Office, Corner of Water & Prospect Streets." This number was printed on a sheet 163x21 inches. Number 39 of Volume III., Friday, July 31, 1795, Whole Number 143, contains the fol- lowing announcement :
To the Patrons of the Medley.
This number completes a quarter .- Quarterly settlements agree with the pro- posals .- The Editor is Necessitated to wish this condition may not be forgotten .- Those who receive them by the Post, settle half yearly .- That there may be no misunderstand- ing when bills are received, the customers are requested to particularly notice the follow- ing clause in the conditions on which the papers lare distributed :- " One Half a year's payment at the end of the First quarter, the remainder at the end of the Third quarter."
No. 143 completes the third Quarter. Those who have not cancelled the first payment, will receive bills for the year-Such as have ; will receive them for one half a year.
N. Bedford, July 31st, 1795.
The number for Friday, February 3, 1797, was printed at "Corner of Union & Sixth Streets." The latest number known is Whole Number 360, Friday, September 20, 1799,- Number 48 of Volume VII. It is under- stood that the paper was discontinued about this time, or soon after.
1793, January 1-The Massachusetts Mercury, a: Boston, by Alexander Young and Samuel Etheridge.
Printed on a small half-sheet, quarto, and published there times a week -on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. With No. 79, July 3, 1793, it was enlarged to a whole demy sheet with four folio pages, and changed to a semi-weekly, issued on Tuesday and Friday. In this number, the editors made the announcement :
The enlargement of the Mercury is contemplated as a duty, which they owe to their reputation, and the liberal share of the public countenance which they have received. They have had, frequently, occasion to regret that the limits of their former paper were so circumscribed, as to exclude many valuable and lengthy communications, whose insertion would have occupied so largely that other favors would have been repressed and variety rendered impracticable. . . But the inclination of the Editors is no longer shackled ; and while they apologize for an apparent neglect to the more copious effusions of genius and speculation, they anticipate a continuance of literary favors, and of enter- taining packets of every description, to replete and variegate the Mail of the Mercury."
With this number of the paper, also, the word "Massachusetts" was omitted from the title. Vol. II., No. 3, is dated July 9, 1793. On Aug- ust 6, the partnership of Young & Etheridge was dissolved, apparently by the act of Young, who in the next issue, announces that "having dissolved the partnership under the firm of Young & Etheridge, in consequence of certain circumstances, he therefore begs leave to assure the public in general, and his friends in particular, that he shall continue to edit the Mercury in his own name, and upon its present plan." Young continued the publication alone until April 8, 1794, when he informs his readers that he had "thought proper to receive into connection in the publication of this paper, Mr. Thomas Minns, whose abilities and sedu- lous attention to the duties of his profession will probably conduce to ren-
cxCV
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
der this work more extensively useful and interesting." The accession of a new partner to the editorial department was the occasion of the following
ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
That a " Free Press is the sure palladium and bulwark of the civil and religious liberties of every community," is a truth which Americans are taught to lisp from their cradle-to expatiate, therefore, on a position so universally allowed, appears unnecessary.
Conscious, however, that the low ribaldry and personal defamation, which frequently disgrace European publications, and sometimes contaminate the purer effusions of the American press, have a most certain tendency to depreciate its worth, obstruct its utility, and to sap the foundation of everything dear and valuable to mankind, the Editors of the Mercury will ever strive, with the most cautious attention, to avoid the rocks, on which but too many of their contemporaries have been shattered.
On the other hand, they aver, with the true independence of Americans, that no sinis- ter views shall ever induce them to .swerve from that strict impartiality-that ingenuous candor, and that scrutinizing vigilance, so necessary to the very existence of Republican Freedom : - Theirs shall be the task
" To drag the lurking villain into day,"
to expose the machinations of the vindictive, and to support real merit, though laboring under the oppression of obloquy and misfortune. Fearless of consequences, the decent, the modest essays and animadversions of the Theologian, the Moralist, and Politician, shall find a most ready insertion.
Public measures, of whatever nature or complexion, may be freely and liberally des- canted upon in the pages of the Mercury ; and while it will never be sullied by any attack on private characters, Gentlemen in public capacities, the Editors hope, will never fear a minute investigation of their conduct.
But while their particular attention is directed to the dearer concerns of their own coun- try, the momentous affairs of Europe shall not be neglected-every event or occurrence- every species of intelligence, important or interesting, shall be equally sought after, and correctly detailed, with the same invariable adherence to truth, which, they trust, will ever be the leading characteristic of their conduct.
On these principles they venture to solicit a continuance of that patronage and support, which have hitherto been so liberally afforded to the Mercury, by the respectable and in- telligent citizens of Massachusetts-and with the utmost fidelity subscribe themselves the Public's
Most devoted Servants, YOUNG & MINNS.
From this date the prosperity of the Mercury was rapid in its progress. Its circulation extended, and the number of its advertising customers in- creased. The industry of the editors was indefatigable. One of them was constantly in the office, while the other was looking for the latest news at the insurance offices, on the exchange, or on the wharves, or attending to the indispensable out-door business of the concern. On the night be- fore the publication day neither of them left the office till the form was ready for the press, which was seldom before twelve o'clock.
On January 3, 1797, the Mercury was enlarged, and the word Massa- chusetts was restored to the title. During 1798, the columns of the paper were largely occupied by correspondents who carried on a controversy re- lative to Free masonry. In January, 1801, the paper passed under the control of Warren Dutton, of New Haven, a gentleman of fine talents and a scholar of high reputation, who was aided by the contributions of many good writers. The title was changed to The Mercury and New England
cxcvi
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Palladium, and in 1803 the former half of the name was dropped, and the paper was afterwards known generally as the Palladium. Fisher Ames was one of its distinguished political contributors, publishing a series of valuable political essays, which were published in book form in 1809, after his death. The Palladium was perhaps the first of American news- papers to adopt the modern style of shipping reports.1 On September 21, 1828, Young & Minns transferred the paper to G. V. H. Forbes, editor of Zion's Herald, a Methodist paper, who was succeeded in November, 1829, by E. Kingman, a Washington correspondent. In 1830 the paper passed into the hands of Adams & Hudson, the proprietors of the Columbian Cen- tinel. In 1840 these papers were united with the Boston Daily Advertiser.
Of Alexander Young mention has been made in connection with the publication of the American Apollo.
Thomas Minns was a native of Boston, and was for many years in the Legislature. While connected with the Palladium he could never be in- duced to leave his business for. recreation for a single day. He died at Boston in 1834.
1793, January -The Federal Spy, at Springfield, by James R. Hutchins.
This was the first time that Springfield had enjoyed the distinction of two contemporary newspapers, a degree of enterprise which excited the wonder of Henry Wansey. 2
Hutchins was an apprentice and son-in-law of Isaiah Thomas, who furnished him with his printing materials. He left in a year or two, and was succeeded by John Worthington Hooker and Francis Stebbins. In May, 1796, Hooker sold out to his partner. No. 19, Vol. VII., is dated July 16, 1796. Stebbins continued the Spy until September 26, 1799, when he disposed of the establishment to Timothy Ashley, who on June 14, 1803, changed the name, and began a new series of numbering, with a motto, thus :
The Republican Spy
No. 8.
Vol. I.
When God from Chaos gave this world to be, Man then He form'd, and form'd him to be free.
Springfield, Massachusetts : Published by Timothy Ashley. Tuesday, August 2, 1803.
Shortly after this, Ashley sold the paper to Henry Brewer, who owned it until 1805, when he sold it to Luther Baker, who in 1806 transferred the
1 The marine news was gathered for many years by Henry Ingraham Blake. "Won- derful genius was Harry Blake," says Hudson (Hist. of Journalism, 189), in the course of an interesting sketch of this character.
" Springfield-Two newspapers are printed here three times a week."-Wansey, 55,
cxcvii
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
paper to Thomas Dickman, of Greenfield, by whom the title was changed to Impartial Federalist. In 1822 it became the Hampden Journal; in 1835, .it was merged in the Springfield Republican. Francis Stebbins started the Northern Whig at Hudson, N. Y., in 1808, and continued it for two or three years.
1793, February-Impartial Herald, at Newburyport, by Blunt & March.
Printed on a sheet 16x19 inches, four pages, three columns to a page.
The first printer and proprietor of the Impartial Herald was Edmund Blunt. He was an apprentice of John Mycall, and then editor of the Essex Journal. He remained at Newburyport from the Spring of 1783 until 1790, and after an absence of three years in Boston, returned to Newburyport and commenced the publication of the Impartial Herald with but seventy subscribers, which he increased in the course of two years to seven hundred. Upon retiring from the Herald, he published the "American Coast Pilot," and printed several editions, amounting to 20,000 copies. He afterwards published the "Practical Navigator," and other similar works. In 1810 he removed from Newburyport to New York, where he took up his residence. He lived until past four score years.
The Impartial Herald was "Printed on Tuesday and Friday, by Blunt & March, Middle Street, Newburyport. 12s. per Ann." So reads No. 103, Vol. II., Friday, February 20, 1795. No. 132, Vol. III., Tuesday, June 2, 1795, states that it was "Printed on Tuesdays and Saturdays." No. 271, Vol. IV., Tuesday, October 4, 1796, has the imprint-"Newburyport- Published on Tuesdays and Saturdays, by Angier March, at his Office, State-Street-two dols. fifty cents per Ann. Delivered also by Edward M. Blunt, at his Printing-Office and Bookstore sign of the Bible, State- Street." Blunt had retired from the paper some time subsequent to August 9, 1796. No. 307, Vol. IV., Tuesday, February 7, 1797, shows that the publication days were Tuesdays and Fridays. The title was now adorned by a cut in the center representing a winged figure flying, with scales in one hand, and blowing a trumpet. Angier March continued the publication of the Herald until 1801.1 He was an ardent Federalist. He was succeeded by Ephraim W. Allen, who conducted the paper for more than thirty years. Allen was born in Attleboro, Mass., April 9, 1779, and learned his trade with Thomas and Manning, in Boston. In the days of his early career, he was the printer, editor and carrier of his paper. He would frequently prepare his paper for the press on the day before its pub- lication, ride to Boston on horseback, return with what news he could get, put it in type, run off the sheet with his own hand, and then distribute it
See under date of "1795, April 30-Political Gazette."
cxcviii NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
to his subscribers. He continued the publication of the Herald until 1834, and died March 9, 1846.1
The paper is still published, as the Newburyport Herald.
1793, September 6 (Friday)-Guardian of Freedom, at Haverhill, by E Ladd & S Bragg.
Printed on a sheet 16 x 21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page, nearly all in small pica type. Imprint-"Printed and Published every Friday morning, by E Ladd and S Bragg. in Haverhill (Massachusetts, ) 9s. pr. ann."
This was a Federalist paper. The publication day was changed in a few weeks to Monday, and still later to Thursday. With the number for May 10, 1794 (Vol. I., No. 29), Eliphalet Ladd assumed the sole pro- prietorship of the paper, Samuel Bragg withdrawing.2 On May 29, 1794, Vol. I., No. 35, Ladd was succeeded by Samuel Aiken, who, four weeks later (June 26, Vol. I., No. 40), transferred his interest to Benjamin Edes, Jun. The following shows the title, etc., of the paper :
Guardian of Freedom.
Printed on Thursdays, by Benjamin Edes, jun. in Congress Street, Haverhill, (Massachusetts.)-9s. per Annum. No. 25, of Vol. II.] Thursday, March 12, 1795. [Whole No. 77.
This number was printed on a sheet 17 x 21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. The Guardian of Freedom was discontinued in 1798, and was succeeded by the Impartial Register (see under date of 1798, July 27).3
1794, April 8 (est. )-The Morning Star, at Newburyport, by Robinson & Tucker.
Printed on a folio sheet, four pages, four columns to a page. The fol- lowing shows the arrangement of title, motto, imprint, etc. :
The Morning Star.
The Printer's heart should ever be of steel -- Whate'er the man, the Printer should not feel- But paint the growing fool, and paint the wise --- And catch the manners living as they rise.
No. 25 of Vol. I.] Tuesday, September 23, 1794. [Whole No. 25.
1 History of Newburyport, etc., by Mrs. E. Vale Smith (afterwards Blake), Newbury - port, 1854, 255.
2 Further mention of Ladd and Bragg will be found in the history of the New Hamp- shire newspapers. For the title of a book printed at Haverhill in 1794 by E. Ladd and S. Bragg, see Brinley, 6058.
3 History of Haverhill, etc., by George Wingate Chace, Haverhill, 1861, 652.
cxcix
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
Published on Tuesdays, by Robinson & Tucker, Middle-Street,
Newburyport,
[Price 9f. per Annum, 4d. single.
Only a few copies of the paper are known, and all are of the year 1794, beyond which the Star probably failed to rise.
1794, October 4, Saturday (est. )-The Times ; or the Even- ing Entertainer, at Boston, by Hall and MacClin- tock.
Printed on a sheet 20 x 153 inches, four pages, three columns to a page, each page 10 x 15} inches, the printed part of the page being 8 x 133 inch- es. The following shows the arrangement of the heading of the earliest number known :
THE TIMES:
OR THE
EVENING ENTERTAINER.
" Eye nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies-and catch the manners living as they rise."
No. 9. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1794. VOL. I.
In the lower right hand corner of the fourth page is the imprint, as fol- lows :
Published by HALL & MACCLINTOCK, State-Street, Boston, on Tuesday, Thursday and and Saturday Evenings. The price for one paper 6,f .- for two, 10/ 6-for three, 13/ 6 per annum.' Four cents single.
Mac Clintock soon retired from the firm, and No. 14, issued November 5, has the name of Thomas Hall alone in the imprint, which also shows a change in the days of publication to "Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Evenings," the imprint being other wise unchanged. This was the second tri-weekly paper published in Boston. The experiment was not a success, as it is understood that the paper was discontinued in the course of two or three months.
1794, October 7 (Tuesday)-The Worcester Intelligencer :
cc
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
Or, Brookfield Advertiser, by Isaiah Thomas and Elisha H. Waldo.
Printed on a sheet 17 x 21 inches, four pages, four columns to a page. This was one of the numerous branch offices of Isaiah Thomas's large es- tablishment at Worcester. The business was principally in charge of . Waldo, while Thomas furnished the capital and exercised a supervision over the enterprise. The arrangement of the title, together with the im- print, etc., appear herewith :
The Worcester Intelligencer : Or, Brookfield Advertiser.
Utile Miscere Dulci, Primum Mobile Nobis .- "To Raise the Genius and to Mend the Heart."-Addison.
Vol. I.] Brookfield, Tuesday, October 7, 1794. [No. I.
Printed at Brookfield, Massachusetts, by Isaiah Thomas and Elisha II. Waldo.
By whom Advertisements and Subscriptions for this Paper are received. The price of this Paper is Nine Shillings 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 four Shillings, and continued three Weeks longer for two Shillings. Larger Advertisements at a proportionable Price.
Printing, in all its Variety, performed with Care, Neatness and Fidel- ity, by said Thomas and Waldo, in Brookfield ; and by said Thomas in Worcester.
* A large Assortment of Books and Stationary always for Sale, at said Thomas's Bookstore in Worcester.
In the third number, and thereafter, the motto is credited to Pope, 1 instead of to Addison. The issue for Tuesday, February 24, 1795, Vol. I., No. 21, shows a change in the first part of the title to The Worcester County Intelligencer.
Some time after Tuesday, April 21, 1795, No. 29, Thomas disposed of the establishment to Waldo, by whom the name and imprint were changed as follows :
1 To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart.
-Prologue to Cato.
cci
HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
The Moral and Political Telegraphe :1 Or, Brookfield Advertiser.
Utile Miscere Dulci, Primum Mobile Nobis .- "To Raise the Genius and to Mend the Heart."-Pope. Price Six Cents, Single.
One hundred and seventy five a year.
(Vol. I .- No. 42.)
Brookfield, Wednesday, July 22, 1795.
Printed at Brookfield, Massachusetts. By Elisha H. Waldo,
By whom Subscriptions for this paper are received. Subscriptions are also received by Messrs. Reed and Rice, in the Southparish. Advertise- ments inserted as usual. A general assortment of Books and Stationary, English and West India Goods for sale at the Printing office, by
Rice & Waldo.
The paper was the same in size and general appearance as before. The latest number known is Vol. II., No. 98, Wednesday, August 17, 1796, the imprint being unchanged. The paper was probably discontinued soon after the date just mentioned.
I794, October 20-The Federal Orrery, at Boston, by Thomas [Robert Treat] Paine.
This was a semi-weekly paper, issued on Mondays and Thursdays, at $2. 50 a year. It was printed by Waldo & Greenough, at No. 42 Cornhill, Boston. The scholarly young editor introduced his paper with this ad- dress :
TO THE PUBLIC.
Confiding in the smiles of an indulgent and generous public, the editor of the Orrery is enabled to anticipate the earliest period, which his most sanguine hopes had contemplated, as the commencement of his publication. Under auspices so flattering, were he to pro- crastinate, but for a day, the active execution of his office, he would be guilty of ingratitude to that republican liberality, which has so universally countenanced, and that literary friendship, which has so splendidly supported his proposals.
To the sons and daughters of science and taste, he returns his most respectful thanks for the reception of many elegant favors ;- to the merchants of this metropolis, he feels a deep obligation for the extensive circulation, to which they have so greatly contributed ; -and to every description of his numerous friends, he presents the warm tribute of grate- ful acknowledgement.
In the prosecution of a work, whose birth has been propitiated by an unprecedented patronage, the editor will most rigidly adhere to those principles of impartiality, which he
1 It is hardly necessary to say that the " telegraphe" in those days was not the electric telegraph of this generation. It then consisted of a series of elevated stations, from which messages were transmitted from one to another by a system of signals. When Morse invented his apparatus for sending messages by wire he adopted the word already in com- mon use and prefixed to it the word " magnetic," to distinguish it from the old-fashioned " telegraphe.'
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.