24 INTRODUCTION. 



Kivmaton, in 1773, commeneed his newspaper career with a large and handsome 

 sheet bearino- the comprehensive title of " Rivington's New- York Gazeteer, or the 

 Connecticut, New-Jersey, Hudson's River and Quebec Weekly Advertiser ;" and 

 in January, 1776, the pubHcation of the New- York Packet and American Adver- 

 tiser was begun by Samuel Loudon. 



At the advent of the revolution, therefore, there were only four newspapers in 

 existence in the colony, to wit, Gaine's Mercury, Holt's Journal and Advertiser, 

 Rivington's Gazeteer, and Loudon's Packet ; and as these reflect the spirit of that 

 epoch, and are characteristic of the phases of the mighty struggle, a few facts in 

 relation to them may not be thought devoid of interest. Gaine, who was a native 

 of Ireland, continued to print and sell books in Hanover square until his death 

 in 1807, a period of nearly sixty years. Exact, punctual and industrious, he ac- 

 quired a large estate, and transmitted a reputation for personal honesty, thrift and 

 tact, not often disturbed by excessive aspirations of patriotism. Apjoroaching the 

 revolution, he was ostensibly neutral ; but with a desire to keep the strongest side, 

 he alternately printed for the people and for the loyal authorities, as each seemed 

 to preponderate. Although he removed with his press to New-Jersey on the ap- 

 proach of the British army, he returned when they had gained possession of the 

 city ; and emboldened by their successes, pursued the natural impulses of his 

 mind, and gave to the royal cause the best efforts of his pen and press. His 

 re(j^uest to be allowedj to remain in the city after its eTacuation by the British 

 army was granted ; but his traits of character were happily hit off in a poem 

 which appeared on the 1st of January, 1783, professing to be the humble petition 

 of Gaine to remain in the city, in which his early profession and attachment to 

 the cause of the country, his subsequent adhesion to the royal cause, and his final 

 appeal were humorously and satirically described. It concluded, 



" As matters have gone, it was plainly a blunder, 

 But t/ien I cxj)ecte<I the wliigs must knock under, 

 And I always adhere to the sword that is longest, 

 And stick to the party that's like to be strongest." 



The Mercury, of course, did not survive the revolution. 



