USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 2 > Part 55
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Providence Newspapers .- We have seen in the preceding pages that almost a century elapsed between the date of the arrival of Roger Will- iams in Rhode Island, and the time when James Franklin established his newspaper in Newport; and it was thirty years later before Provi- denee had its first publie journal. On October 20, 1762, appeared the first number of the Providenee Gazette and Country Journal, pub- lished and edited by William Goddard. He was a native of New Lon- don, Conn., where he was born in 1740, eame to Providenee while yet a boy, and in January, 1762, began the printing business. He printed the first hand-bill in the place, which was headed, "Morro Castle taken by Storm", and his next job was a play bill. The prospectus of his paper was issued on September 1. The first number contained a well- written address to his prospective patrons, and the announcement that the location of his office was "opposite the Court House. 7s. shillings lawful money per annum or equivalent in eurreney". In July, 1763, the editor announced that he had removed his printing office "to the store of Judge Jenckes near the great bridge". In March, 1765, an- other ehange was made by removal to "the house opposite Mr. Nathan Angell's"; this was a little northwest of the Baptist church.
There was no editorial and no local news in the first number of the paper and, indeed, none of the newspapers of the seventeenth century contained local news to any noticeable extent. The second number of the paper was dated October 30, the day of publication having been changed, as announced, so "that gentlemen in the northern and west- ern parts of Connecticut may receive papers by post". There was a period of suspension of the paper from May 11, 1765, to August 9, 1766, caused by the operation of the Stamp Act. This pioneer Provi- denee newspaper was edited with ability and aequired large influenee. Stephen Hopkins, the Rhode Island statesman, contributed liberally to its columns, in his successful efforts to shape the course of the mo- mentous events of those times.1
1In "Stephen Hopkins, a Rhode Island Statesman. A Study on the Politi-
[NUMB 1}
PROVIDENCE
& GAZETTE;
AND COUNTRY
JOURNAL
Containing the frefosf Afect,
buth Foreign and Domyfic.
WEDNESDAY, October co, 1762. [Vol. L.]
To Tak PUBLICE
THROUGH the geotrothead beceraleat AMfifan wof many Gentlemen in this Colom, the flovines :s
it is able to make it's Appearance in the World, agreeable to my Pregun. which demands my meit grate: . Acknowledguents. "AFTER what has been already
Advantages of Performances. of
, often advanced in Favour of the Printing Bufinets, and the Ushex a ! Nature, in . aseantile Colony ; it would fee immerunene la ok to cally know and acknowledged elpecially to a People, who by www piritrends, and aludable Zeeland Ambition to promote cury my tu inveceft of their Country By
attempt making any IBulumion to what is for ua Condet, have made themfelves eminent for Pas Branch of Buffinefs, that might be any Ways, condu
moneft Authors, of every Denomination, from the
It calibrated Writers, even 2. common Mews.
Paper, to other in their Productions to the World
ich tome Preface an Introduction
of their Excellencies, or to been Cenfure by apolog og for this 1) frais, it Wegen
in fung Meafure, follow this Example, to excufe the
Curacies of this Beginning
Publick with the Plan I porpele, to purfue in the Exquien of my Defign ; and as);
. the Centre of Applaufe it may delen to the kimler, who, I hope, will think with Candfor, and del fine with Humoury.
As every confiderate Mind is foricitous to know the State ) che World about him, and the Circumfrances. of the fever Nations joint Inhabitants of the Universe with him, he is man dulciano) Satisfaction, to be acquainted from The" Quarters of the Globes and as we are engaged In a Pixies to be in the general Fermenty every Thing is vion of our Enenses, inut be parthals inordling
i né, with the Events and inporuin Tranfactions in the daily. and fucee Oful War agalift two fuchles Nationsy and all Feks relates to the Honour and Interest of our Country, and the Fit and as fuch, they Shall be carefully interted in this Paper It would Arabculoni to promife more in a New 1' herta in proper os poilble is Should contain , but, thus fa I car enteres without an Traputation of Vanity, that na Pascale be wanting to render it as entertaining and by generally wight a phagy, for which fungofe, I have + nablithe one ofus. Correspondence, gad Aistraceive the fiebert and Con un
Fuente from foreign Parts, and all the in . ..
القضية ٥٧٩
of Learning and Ingenuityy may think proper to favour me with; and thei pay all the Regard to this Compositions, confiltert was of zvolding any Controverly that may create Disturbance in the Government
As the Prosecution of my Defin will be attended with great Expeace, and the Price of this Guzene ise only Erven Shillings Lawful Money In demes, or Equivalent in Old Tenor) die Continuance of publicon wat facing
upon the further Encouragement it meets with , and fuch Perfods as incli to become Subscribers, are right to be freedy in their Application, that a Jude ment may be forme } what Number It will be nereflyry to printf ss it I Gas. every Subscriber will choose to begin with the fint Nunliber, in order to perfeive the Collection completes By the Advice of several Gentlemen, i have concluded to alter the Time of Publication, from Hedrefles Mer felinday Afternoon, (to commence on the joth Inftant,) thur the Gentlemen in Newport, and other Towni in the Boss Part of this Government, or in Conflict, who fall please to favour this Undertaking, may receive their Papers by Poft:, And as it will contain all the: Weltern Advices, which will be published immediately after their Arival and tanfly commonly every Thing material from the Kaffward, it is prefaned every Well-wither to this Colony will profes i win y foll Deficiencies, to a,foreign
IF any other Scheme can be "tormake this Paper mare beneficial, I thould be extremely ofland to ar
Gentlemen for fuch Hints, md L. no Trouble or Expenre (in my Puwer's, in, making the belt Ufe of thea Information ~~_ Subscriptions se win by Darius Salons, Herty Page, Sewery Chate, Ich Bean Praze, E Mr Ofobiet, Bookfeller, Mr. Elewere Thenyou, Mr. Knight Devis, Mr. Benjamin West, Me. Joseph Literate, and by the Publick's
Obliged semble Servant
WILLIAM GODDARD.
N.B. Mlare there are a Number of Subber bers kehoping to the fame Free, then Papers Hieltall be included, fated up together, and from sitevey bey wy to be Ent, and the Person's Name no Mid Town, where they are to be isit , and faid Papers Bal be indigred inf Chaney seen, sich tych lesson of Persons in pley Than of Prwieder, as the nature Part of the bulletin, Fait aeree All Orders font free Gentlemen in the
The Planting and Growth PROVIDENCE,
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thank, the the Best of worshipping isso . we aring to their Coolclones, Max Their native Centro with all it's Conveniences and Derginin
La Laland, both in Church una Suite. Try tis the Reigns of King fast De Full, and King Crabit's the Fint. though they want the immediate
in the Year than; where they landed in the Động of Winter, having wa Hour or police to cover?
chein from the Injuries of the Weather oniaren't duits or tagus little mouse, that this be hal's
Kanto of Birine plifebiof in that Kinpoona, in incredible Haddine and petit through some the Timeny happened, vet wej dey all the hotelad Sh terings , and Replaced aly son
King Lake of very pre Advantage to the
sichle Fortouse of Mint, and the Cookies of
Dament of fame Piments, the sick of the
vene bu Yen steward, in the Boaqui
Wer Joka Curry and about two wthere fore
THE FIRST PAGE OF THE FIRST NUMBER OF THE FIRST NEWSPAPER
PUBLISHED IN PROVIDENCE. FROM THE ORIGINAL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Baciminnas
Performance will be it's belt Recommendation, I full
574
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
One of the important productions of the Goddard press was "A Discourse addressed to the Sons of Liberty. At a solemn Assembly, near Liberty Tree in Providence February 14, 1766." This was an 8 vo. of eight pages. It bears the imprint, "Providence, in New Eng- land. Printed and sold by Sarah and William Goddard, at the Print- ing Office-near the Court House."
Another was the well known political tract by Governor Stephen Hopkins, entitled "The Rights of the Colonies Examined." It bears the imprint of Mr. Goddard, 1765. This tract was reprinted in most of the colonies and was also printed by Almon in London in 1766.
Mr. Goddard left Providence in 1767 and was engaged in editorial work in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore many years. Return- ing to Providence in 1792, he died in 1817, leaving a son, William, who inherited and cultivated his father's literary talent and newspaper ability, in which lines of work he for many years held a foremost position in this State, as will appear further on. Beginning August 9, 1766, after the interregnum, the Gazette was published by Sarah Goddard & Co .; she was mother of William. In September, 1767, the firm was composed of William Goddard and John Carter, and in November following (Mr. Goddard having left Providence), Mr. Car- ter became sole proprietor of the Gazette. Preceding and through the Revolution thic Gazette advocated Whig principles, but after peace was declared it opposed the paper money party in this State and also the adoption of the United States constitution. During a later period it became a supporter of the strong Federal political organization, and when the anti-Masonic movement came into exist- ence it ably advocated the new party.
In October, 1771, the paper was printed in "the new building on Main street, opposite the Friends' meeting house", and a little later, "in Meeting street, opposite the Friends' mecting house". In Novem- ber, 1793, J. Carter and William Wilkinson were associated as pub- lishers of the Gazette, and their establishment was in the postoffice, "opposite the market". In May, 1799, Mr. Carter again became sole owner and so continued until February, 1814, when he sold the whole to Hugh H. Brown and William H. Wilson. Mr. Carter had been connected with the paper and the printing business forty-seven years, and under his control the Gazette acquired a large measure of influ-
cal History of the Eighteenth Century (1884) by William E. Foster", pp. 46-8, the writer gives a very large share of the credit for making the Gazette what it was to Stephen Hopkins. The first number did contain No. 1 of a series of historical articles from his pen, entitled, "The Town of Providence from its Settlement to 1763". After allusion to the influence of Boston and Philadel- phia papers, the writer of this work says: "The quick eye of Stephen Hop- kins must have seen at once the pre-eminent advantage of this agency for shaping public sentiment"; and further, Hopkins's share in it was continuous and he contributed "a large share of its contents", etc.
575
THE PRINTER AND THE PRESS.
ence and success. He was a skillful practical printer, having served his apprenticeship with Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, and his paper was noted for its freedom from typographical errors.1
Mr. Brown purchased Mr. Carter's interest in the business in June, 1816, and continued sole owner until January, 1820, when he took Walter R. Danforth as partner, giving him editorial charge of the paper. An effort had previously (1795) been made to publish thic paper semi-weekly, but it did not receive sufficient encouragement ; but when Mr. Danforth acquired his interest this change was success- fully introduced. During about one year the paper was issued Mon- days and Thursdays, and afterwards on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On January 1, 1825, Mr. Brown again became sole owner and em- ployed Albert G. Greene as editor. On the 5th of October, of that year, a consolidation was effected by the Gazette and the Rhode Island American, and the firm of Carlile & Brown (Francis Y. Carlile and Hugh H. Brown) was formed and conducted the business on the north side of Market square. The paper assumed the title, The Rhode Island American. The American was originally started October 21, 1808, by Dunham & Hawkins (Wm. W. Dunham (editor), David Hawkins, jr.), and was printed "at the sign of the American Eagle, opposite the Market. Three Dollars per Annum-half in advance". The editorial announcement in the first number stated, probably as the reason for establishing the paper, that the "pressing necessity of the present period, which is to decide whether the politicks of Washington shall once more regain their proper influence in the hearts of his country- men, demands correspondent exertion". From October, 1825, during one year, William S. Patten edited the consolidated paper, and was succeeded by Christopher E. Robbins. In March, 1827, Mr. Carlile bought his partner's interest and employed Benjamin F. Hallett as editor. In July of that year the Microcosm, a weekly paper, estab- lished June 10, 1825, by Walter R. Danforth, was absorbed by the American, and two years later, July, 1829, the Cadet and Statesman was also absorbed and the title was changed to the Rhode Island American, Statesman and Gazette. The Cadet and Statesman was
1The town papers and records of Providence show that Mr. Carter and his business associates carried on a large business for those times and were favored with public patronage. While Mr. Carter was alone he rendered a bill to the town (Town paper No. 1,350), covering a period of about a year from the fall of 1774, which was mostly for advertising. Some of the items are of interest: "Advertising inhabitants to give an acct. of Strangers in
their Families". "Relative to obnoxious Persons removing from other towns". "Relative to Shopkeepers raising the Price of Goods". "Advertising Arms distributed in the late Alarm to be brought in". "Advertising Assize of Bread", etc. Town paper No. 5,779, date of June, 1790, is a bill from Mr. Carter, among the items being one for "250 copies of the Order of Procession to be observed on receiving the President of the United States", 18s. Also one for "200 promissory notes for the Town Treasurer", 9s. At the January session of 1798 of the General Assembly it was voted that "fifty-two dollars &
576
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
founded as the Literary Cadet and Saturday Evening Bulletin, April 22, 1826, and was published by Smith & Parmenter (Samuel J. and Jonathan C.), with Sylvester S. Southworth, editor; it was a weekly until 1827 and afterwards, until its absorption, a semi-weekly. At the same time (July, 1829) the publishers began issuing the Daily Adver- tiser, which was continued until February, 1833. In November, 1829, Daniel Mowry, 3d, became sole proprietor of the business and issued the paper with the title, The Microcosm, American and Gazette, until April, 1833, when he sold to James S. Ham and Joseph Knowles (J. S. Ham & Co). At the close of another year this paper was discontinued. During all of its twenty-six years of existence this journal retained the confidence and endeavored to promote the best interests of the public. During the period when William Goddard was its editor it attained its best position, and after he left it, it began to decline and was consolidated with the Gazette as before stated. The best literary talent in Providence and its vicinity contributed to the American ; this fact, with the able editorials of Mr. Goddard, gave the paper high standing in the community.
In the library of the Rhode Island Historical Society are files of a paper called The Literary Subaltern, the first number of which ap- peared on January 1, 1829, and the files continue to August 31, 1832, which was probably the last number of the publication. William Marshall was the first publisher, and was succeeded by Hall & Sim- mons. Sylvester S. Southworth was editor, and the paper was ably conducted.
There are features of historical interest in the printing business in Providence in early years, as distinct from newspaper publication. It has already been noted that the pioneer printers found a profitable part of their business in the making of almanacs. Prominent among the early almanac compilers was "Benjamin West, A. M., A. A. S.", as his name appears on various imprints. His almanac for 1770 was printed by John Carter at the "Sign of Shakespeare's Head, near the Coffee House". In 1784 this almanac was printed by Bennett Wheel- er and "sold by the Groce, Dozen or Single by Mr. Terence Reilly, opposite the Market, by Messrs. Thurber & Chandler, at the North
Thirty-four cents, be allowed to Messeurs Carter and Wilkinson, out of the General Treasury, in Specie, or in the Bills of Credit emitted by this State, at the established Rate of Exchange; it being the Amount of their Account for Paper, Quills, Sand-Box, Ink and a Blank Book delivered to the Committee for Revising the Laws, . and for Printing done for the State, from the fourteenth of November last, to the present time."
· Town paper No. 14,100, date of May 6, 1770, is a bill of Mr. Carter for the Providence Gazette for one year, to Henry Bowen, Mr. Bowen being then in public office. A similar charge is that of May, 1772, by Solomon Southwick to Henry Bowen, for the Newport Mercury, one year, 6s. 9d. In this connec- tion may be properly given the bill of Samuel Nightingale to the town (Town paper No. 14,099), date of May 8, 1775, which includes "2 quire Paper", at 11d.
577
THE PRINTER AND THE PRESS.
End, and by the Author". The first bookseller in Providence was probably Daniel Jenckes, who had a store about 1763, and others followed as the business developed. The second printing establish- ment opened in Providence was that of John Waterman, who had the popular title of "Captain". He also operated a paper mill, which was started in 1764; of this mill the New England Almanac for 1765 states that "a spacious mill had been built in Providence, for making paper". Mr. Waterman advertised in the Gazette of August, 1764, for rags. He issued a volume of sermons about 1764-5 and also "Songs composed for the Use and Edification of such as love the Truth in its Native Simplicity. Providence. Printed and sold by Waterman & Russell, at the new Printing Office at the Paper Mill". This book bears no date. In 1768 from the same press was published the famous discourse of Silas Downer, delivered at the dedication of the Liberty Tree in Newport, and a "Catalogue of all the books in the Providence Library", same year. Among the works issued from the press of John Carter was an "Account of the observation of Venus upon the Sun. by Benjamin West" (1769) ; "Poems by the late Josias Lyndon Ar. nold" (1797) were published by Carter & Wilkinson, with a number of addresses delivered by President Maxcy, Paul Allen, and various ministers ; these with almanacs and seminons covered most of the Provi- dence imprints previous to 1800. J. Douglass M'Dougall was printing in Providence in 1776, in which year he issued "An Essay on Man in Four Epistles, by Alexander Pope, Esq. Prov : Printed and Sold by J. D. M'Dougall, on the west side of the Great Bridge. 1776". In the early years of printing the business was almost invariably com- bined with the selling of books, stationery, blanks, etc., and quite fre- quently with publishing of books on the proprietor's account.
In March, 1779, the American Journal and General Advertiser was started by Solomon Southwick and Bennett Wheeler; the office was located at the corner of North Main and Mecting streets. Mr. South- wick left the business in the following November, and Wheeler subse- quently removed to the west side of the river. The paper was a weekly and continued to about December, 1783. In the succeeding January Mr. Wheeler founded the United States Chronicle, "Political, Com- inercial and Historical". This weekly paper survived until some time in 1802, after about cighteen years of such success as the better jour- mals of that period commanded.
Now followed in Providence a number of short-lived journals, some of which deserved a better fate. January 4, 1796, Joseph Fry started a semi-weekly with the customary high-sounding title, The State Ga- zette and Town and County Advertiser ; it was a small sheet, published Mondays and Thursdays, on the north side of Market square, and suspended before the close of a year. Next came the Providence 37
578
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Journal and Town and County Advertiser, a weekly, founded by John Carter, jr., on January 1, 1799, suspended January, 1802. The Im- partial Observer was a weekly paper established in July, 1800, by Samuel J. Williams, and continued by him until March, 1801, when he was succeeded by Benoni Williams ; suspended in March, 1803. In the spring of this year Samuel J. Williams started the Liberty's Cen- tinel, of which a few numbers only were issued. A more promising and permanent journal came into existence as a Democratic organ, in the Providence Phenix, which was established in May, 1803, by Theo- dore H. Foster and William W. Dunham (Foster & Dunham). It was a weekly, issued on Saturdays from an office on Westminster street. Mr. Foster left the firm after one year, Dunham continuing alone to July, 1805, when William Olney took the business and continued to January 10, 1807. He was succeeded by Jones & Wheeler (Josiah Jones, Bennett Wheeler), who published the Phenix until 1816, when they changed its name to the Providence Patriot and Columbian Phe- nix, and so continued it to January 1, 1819. Jones, Wheeler & Cran- ston (Barzillai Cranston) then became the publishers and continued to January, 1820, when Cranston retired and Jones & Wheeler contin- ued to May, 1823. Eaton W. Maxcy then succeeded to Mr. Wheeler's interest, but a year later transferred it to William Simons. Jones & Simons continued to December, 1829, after which Jones published the paper as agent, with James O. Rockwell, editor. The paper suspended at the close of 1832; it had been issued semi-weekly after 1819. While
this paper was not financially successful, it wielded large influence in the Jeffersonian political field and was sincere and aggressive. Mr. Maxcy was its ablest editor and an accomplished writer, but was with- out the newspaper training so necessary for success in these later times. "In fact the small success attained by any Providence newspaper prior to 1830, was largely owing to the fact that their editors were, in many cases, broken-down professional men who, aside from being hampered by a stilted and ponderous style, had no journalistic training."1
The next newspaper in Providence was the Rhode Island Farmer, which was published about one year from July, 1804, by David Hea- ton and Benoni Williams ( Heaton & Williams).
At about the beginning of the war of 1812, Herman B. and Daniel Man started the Providence Centinel and War Chronicle, with George R. Burrill, editor; only a few numbers were issued.
The Manufacturers and Farmers Journal was founded in Provi- dence, in response to the prevalent belief that the industrial interests needed a journal that would properly represent their affairs. During the years between the close of the War of 1812 and 1820, manufactures had been greatly increased in Providence and other parts of this State, the capital for the purpose having been drawn largely from commer-
1Providence Evening Bulletin, June 25, 1886.
579
THE PRINTER AND THE PRESS.
cial interests; this was one of the business changes due to the war. The existing newspapers saw danger in this tendeney and their eol- umns were not freely opened to opinions and counsel that opposed the theories of their publishers. Samuel and John Slater, who had estab- lished the eotton manufacturing at Pawtucket and Slatersville, David Wilkinson, Amasa and William H. Mason, James Burrill, William Anthony, Samuel Arnold, William Valentine, Richard Anthony, Joseph Harris, Richard and Nathan W. Jackson, William Sprague, and others prominent in industrial operations, gave their support and sympathy to the projeet of founding a newspaper that would properly represent and advoeate their interests. The full title of the paper, as finally decided, was the Manufacturers and Farmers Journal and Providence and Pawtucket Advertiser. It was a semi-weekly edition and is still issued on Mondays and Thursdays by the Providenee Jour- nal Company. The first number appeared January 3, 1820, witlı Miller and Hutchens (both named John), as publishers ; the motto of the paper was, "Encourage National Industry". "Honest John Miller", as he was ealled, was a printer and Mr. Hutchens was a book- seller. The office was in the old Coffee House, corner of Market Square and Canal street ; in 1823 it was removed to the Union building, west side of the bridge, in which year Mr. Miller, beeame sole proprie- tor, and in the year following to the Granite building, Market Square. In May, 1833, the office was removed to the Whipple building, College street. From that date to January 1, 1836, George Paine was partner with Mr. Miller (Miller & Paine), continuing to February, 1836, when George W. Jackson succeeded to the business, eontinuing to July, 1838. He was followed by Josephi Knowles and William L. Burroughs (Knowles & Burroughs), who were succeeded in February, 1839, by Knowles & Vose (John W. Vose). In July, 1840, Henry B. Anthony acquired an interest, and the firm of Knowles, Vose & Anthony pub- lished the paper until 1848. Mr. Vose died in 1849 and the firm of Knowles & Anthony continued to January 1, 1863. From that date the publieation was continued under the names of Knowles, Anthony & Danielson, one of the former publishers of the Evening Press, George W. Danielson, having aequired an interest from Mr. Knowles. The latter died in 1874, Mr. Danielson in Mareli, 1884, and Mr. Anthony in September of the same year. In consequence of these deaths, the Providence Journal Company was ineorporated in 1885.
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