88 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



the printer and as free citizens asserted their right to 

 communicate to one another in this way their opinions 

 and judgments regarding the conduct of public serv- 

 ants. Since not all transactions (even of private 

 citizens) come under amenability to the law, zealous 

 patriots can use the press as a terrible scourge, for 

 giving timely warnings, for bringing officials to their 

 duty, for criticising abuses and shortcomings, instruct- 

 ing their fellow-citizens in all manner of things when 

 elsewhere they would be free scarcely to whisper the 

 burden. But it must be said that through the misuse 

 of so special a privilege great harm may arise. How 

 many upright and innocent characters are roughly and 

 prejudicially treated under this shield of the freedom 

 of the press. 



English books are reprinted here, but are very little 

 cheaper than the originals, and besides are often very 

 badly executed.* Reprinting therefore is restricted to 

 new books the authors of which enjoy a great hon- 

 orarium, that is to say, dear books. Books of edifica- 

 tion, school-books, bibles &c can always be had cheaper 

 from Europe, since paper and wages stand at a high 

 price in America, and the Americans have a fancy for 

 well and finely printed books, such as the English com- 

 monly are. Books brought in from England are all 

 bound (they may not be otherwise exported) and form 

 a very considerable article of trade. German religious 

 books come especially from Frankfort on Main. Since 

 the peace, Dutch and German ships have brought in a 

 great quantity of all manner of publications. 



From what has been set down here it will be readily 



* Types, ink, paper &c are had from Europe. 



