paper printed inNew England; and only two of those which preceded it are now published in the United States.1

The Portsmouth Mercury and Weekly Advertiser.

Containing the freshest and most important Advices, both Foreign and Domestick.

This was the second newspaper published in New Hampshire. Its first appearance was on the 21st of January, 1765. It was introduced with an address to the public, which states that,

"The Publisher proposes to print Nothing that may have the least Tendency to subvert good Order in publick or private Societies, and to steer clear of litigious, ill natured and trifling Disputes in Individuals; yet, neither opposition, arbitrary Power, or publick Injuries may be expected to be screen'd from the Knowledge of the People, whose Liberties are dearer to them than their lives."

The Mercury was published weekly, on Monday, on a crown sheet, folio, from a new large faced small pica from Cottrell's foundry in London. Imprint, "Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire, Printed by Thomas Furber at the New Printing-Office near the Parade, where this Paper may be had for one Dollar or Six Pounds O. T. per year; One Half to be paid at Entrance."

The Mercury a few weeks after its first appearance was very irregular as to its size. It was most commonly comprised in a sheet of pot or foolscap, printed broadsides, but occasionally on half a sheet of medium or demy, according as paper could be purchased at the stores the moment it was wanted. The typography of the Mercury, the new

1 This paper is now, 1872, the weekly issue of the Portsmouth Chronicle published daily on a sheet of eight pages.— M.

'Not celebrated for producing the best types.

type excepted, did not exceed that of the Gazette. The collection of intelligence was inferior; and this paper was not more supported by any number of respectable writers than the Gazette. Before the first year of the publication of the Mercury ended, Furber took as a partner Ezekiel Russell, and his name appeared after Furber's in the imprint.

They who in the greatest degree encouraged the Mercury, very warmly opposed the stamp act, laid on the colonies at this time by the British parliament; indeed, the spirit of the country rose in opposition to this act; and, although some publishers of newspapers made a faint stand, yet few among those more immediately attached to the British administration, were hardy enough to afford the measure even a feeble support. The New Hampshire Gazette, which some thought would not appear in opposition to the stamp act, came forward against it; and, on the day preceding that on which it was designed the act should take place, appeared in full mourning, contained some very spirited observations against this measure of government, and continued to be published as usual without stamps.

The Mercury did not gain that circulation which it might have obtained had its editors taken a more decided part, and either defended government with energy, or made the paper generally interesting to the public by a zealous support of the rights and liberties of the colonies. In consequence of the neglect of the publishers to render the Mercury worthy of public attention, the customers withdrew, and the paper, after having been published about three years, was discontinued. From this time to the commencement of the war, the Gazette was the only newspaper published in the province of New Hampshire.

EXETER.

The third newspaper which appeared in New Hampshire, was issued from the press in Exeter, near the close of the year 1775, and published, irregularly, by Robert Fowle, under various titles, in 1776 and part of 1777, until discontinued. It was printed on a large type, small paper, and often on half a sheet. It was first entitled, A NewHampshire Gazette, afterwards The New Hampshire Gazette; The New Hampshire Gazette, or Exeter Morning Chronicle; The New Hampshire [State] Gazette, or, Exeter Circulating Morning Chronicle; The State Journal, or The New Hampshire Gazette and Tuesday's Liberty Advertiser. These and other alterations, with changes of the day of publication, took place within one year. It was published, generally, without an imprint. In the last alteration of the title, a large cut, coarsely engraved, was introduced; it was a copy of that which had for several years been used in The Pennsylvania Journal,' and the same which Rogers, some time before, had introduced into the Salem Gazette and Advertiser.

Several other newspapers since 1777, have had a beginning and ending in Exeter.

1

1 See account of The Pennsylvania Journal, Salem Gazette, &c.

NEW YORK.

When treating of the introduction of printing into New York, I should have mentioned, that in 1668, Governor Lovelace was desirous of having a press established in that province; and it appears by a record made at the time, that he sent to Boston to procure a printer, but did not succeed in his application. In 1686, among other articles of instruction sent by King James to Governor Dongan, one was, that he should "allow no printing press in the province." And, consequently, the pamphlets which appeared in the famous dispute respecting the unfortunate colonel Leisler, in 1689 and 1690, are supposed to have been printed in Boston. See Appendix H.

NEW YORK.

The first newspaper published in the city was printed by William Bradford. It made its appearance October 16, 1725, and was entited,

Newyork
Arms.

THE

Numb. 2.

Post-Man.

New-York Gazette.

From Monday Oct. 16, to Oct. 23, 1725.

This paper was published weekly, on Monday. I have a few numbers of this Gazette, published in 1736. They

are printed on a foolscap sheet, from a type of the size of english, much worn. In the title are two cuts, badly executed; the one on the left is the arms of New York, supported by an Indian on each side; the crest is a crown. The cut on the right is a postman, on an animal somewhat resembling a horse, on full speed. The imprint, "Printed and Sold by William Bradford, in New York.

Bradford was near seventy years of age when he began the publication of the Gazette; he continued to publish it about sixteen years, and then retired from business. James Parker began The New York Gazette anew in January, 1742-3.

New-York Weekly JOURNAL.

Containing the fresheft Advices, Foreign and Domestick.

MUNDAY, October 5, 1733.1

This was the second newspaper established in the province; it made its appearance November 5. 1733. The Journal was of the small size usually printed at that time, that is foolscap; generally a whole sheet, printed chiefly on pica. It was published every "Munday." Imprint, "New York: Printed and Sold by John Peter Zenger: By whom Subscriptions for this Paper are taken in at Three Shillings per Quarter."

The Journal was established for a political purpose. For three years it was in a state of warfare with the administration of Governor Crosby, and his successor Lieutenant

Zenger, by some mistake, dated his first paper October 5, 1733, instead of November 5. In the account of his trial, he mentions that he began the Journal Nov. 5, 1733, and so it appears from the numbers. No. 2 is dated November 12, 1733.- Munday, was so spelled by Zenger, and others at that time.