Page:History of Journalism in the United States.djvu/140

114 in November, 1776. The partnership seems to have been dissolved when Edes decided to move the paper to Watertown and Gill remained in Boston.

Wheh Edes returned and resumed publication, he took into partnership his two sons, Benjamin and Peter, until 1784, when Peter retired from the scene and in 1795 started the Kennebec, Maine, Intelligencer. The Gor zette was continued until 1798 by the old man himself, his sons having left him. The year before it was discontinued, in the issue of January i, 1797, he began his salutation with the statement that "The aged editor of the Gazette presents the compliments of the season to his generous benefactors, and invites all those who have any demands on him to call and receive their dues; "this gentle introduction leads into the main purpose of the salutation, which is to ask the many who owe him money, especially those who are two, three or more years in debt, to discharge their arrears, "as the editor has found it impossible to live upon the wind and promises equally uncertain."

He recalls the time when the Gazette was a power; when its circulation was "upward of 2,000." He now states that he has only a circulation of 400 and hardly any advertisements.

The following September, the paper, at the close of its forty-third year, went out of existence. In his valedictory, the old editor states sorrowfully: "The cause of liberty is not always the channel of preferment for pecuniary reward." He recalls the fact that Adams, Hancock and Otis were his chosen intimates in the days when the country was in danger; and advises his countrymen to cherish their liberties and maintain their virtues. He bids them farewell.