Page:History of American Journalism.djvu/77



ferent parts of the country, by special messengers, I hope my customers will favor me with their subscription money as soon as possible that I may be enabled to continue them I am sensible there are many who complain of not getting their papers so regular as they desire, but hope they will be kind enough to excuse it, when they consider the many in- conveniences the colony labours under both in this and other respects, for want of regular post through the country. However, as we daily expect the arrival of a postmaster-General, we have no reason to doubt, but that the Post-Office will be regulated in such a manner as will give content. In the mean time, as I shall do all in my power to dispatch the Gazettes, as well by different posts, as favourable opportunities, hope my customers will continue their favours, and oblige their very humble servant, The Printer.

The second Virginia Gazette was a great improvement on the first. Hunter was postmaster and had better opportunities to gather news. In addition, his Gazette was better edited. In its columns appeared some of the best-written essays of the Colo- nial Period. For instance, in 1757 a man, under the signature of "The Virginia Sentinel," published a contribution which showed that Virginia in spite of its early opposition to the press was not without literary talent.

A third Virginia Gazette was brought out in Williamsburg in May, 1766, by William Rind with a motto "Open to all Parties, Influenced by None." Rind began his Gazette with the cooperation of Thomas Jefferson, who considered the old Ga- zettes too much under the influence of the Government.

A fourth Gazette was started in Williamsburg on February 3, 1775, by Alexander Purdy and was conducted by him until 1779. Its motto was, " Always for Liberty and the Public Good." This particular Virginia Gazette has the honor of being the first American newspaper to print the full text of the Declaration of Independence which it did on July 26, 1776.

EARLY CONNECTICUT PAPERS

The Connecticut Gazette, the first paper in Connecticut, made its appearance on April 12, 1755, at New Haven. The first num- ber bore the imprint, "Printed by James Parker at the Post- Office near the Sign of the White Horse." Benjamin Franklin had been induced by President Clap to purchase a printing-