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this Paper, and all Manner of Printing Work is performed with Care, Fidelity, and Expedition."

The Packet was continued by this company until June, 1776; Trumbull then became the sole publisher, and continued it with various alterations in the title, size, and appearance, until he died, in 1802. After his decease, it was printed for his widow, Lucy Trumbull, but under a new title, viz: The Connecticut Centinel. The Centinel in fact was a new paper, established on the foundation of the Packet.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

No newspaper was printed in this colony until the year

1756.

PORTSMOUTH.

A press having been established in Portsmouth by Daniel Fowle from Boston, he in August, 1756,' began the publication of a public journal, entitled.

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It was first printed from a long primer type, on half a sheet foolscap, in quarto; but was soon enlarged to half a sheet crown, folio; and it sometimes appeared on a whole sheet crown. Imprint, "Portsmouth, in New Hampshire,

On the 6th of October, 1856, a centennial anniversary of the first newspaper in New Hampshire was held at Portsmouth, for which occasion a facsimile of the first number of the Gazette was printed. It appears by that, that the date was Thursday, October 7. It is possible that a prospectus number was issued in August, as was the case with the Newport Mercury. Although the anniversary of the establishment of the Gazette was celebrated with great spirit and eclat in 1856, the paper was discontinued in 1861, for about two years, when it was revived and published with eminent success. Abner Greenleaf, who had printed and edited the Gazette, died Sept. 28, 1868, aged 83. An almanac was also printed at this office in 1756 for the ensuing year. M.

Printed by Daniel Fowle, where this Paper may be had at one Dollar per Annum; or Equivalent in Bills of Credit, computing a Dollar this year at Four Pounds Old Tenor."

Fowle had several type metal cuts, which had been engraved and used for an abridgment of Croxall's Esop; and as he thought that there should be something ornamental in the title of the Gazette, and not finding an artist to engrave any thing appropriate, he introduced one of these cuts, designed for the fable of the crow and the fox. This cut was, in a short time, broken by some accident, and he supplied its place by one engraved for the fable of Jupiter and the peacock. This was used until worn down, when another cut from the fables was substituted. Eventually, the royal arms, badly engraved, appeared; and at the same time, "Historical Chronicle" was added to the title; a cut of the king's arms well executed, afterwards took the place of the other.

In September, 1764, Robert Fowle became the partner of Daniel in the publication of the Gazette, and in 1774 they separated. In 1775, there was a little irregularity in the publication of the paper, occasioned by the war; but D. Fowle in a short time continued it as usual. The Gazette was not remarkable in its political features; but its general complexion was favorable to the cause of the country.

In May, 1776, Benjamin Dearborne, to whom Fowle taught printing, became the publisher of this paper, and altered its title to, The Freeman's Journal, or New-Hampshire Gazette. Dearborne continued the paper a few years, after which it was again published by Fowle, who made several alterations in the title. In 1785, Fowle relinquished it to Melchor & Osborne, who published it for a number of years; and it is, at the present time (1810), issued from the press of their successors with its original title. The New-Hampshire Gazette is the oldest news

paper printed in New 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."

2

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.

2 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.

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