INTRODUCTION. 
27 
present date, 1842. Thirty-nine newspapers were printed at the commence¬ 
ment of the revolution in all the American colonies. 
The earlier newspaper press was extremely circumscribed in its scope and 
powers. A newspaper rarely exceeded in size half a sheet of foolscap. It was 
a mere compilation, often crude enough, with “ the freshest advices foreign and 
domestic.” How “ fresh,” the reader, in this day of railroads, steam packets, 
and second and third daily editions, will leam not without amusement, from the 
fact that sixteen years after a newspaper was established in Boston it proposed 
to issue a half sheet every other week; by which hazardous enterprise it was 
hoped that the time between the paper and the latest European news, then 
thirteen months, might be reduced to five. For many years the “ Boston News 
Letter ” contained no more than two advertisements. Until the close of the re¬ 
volution, no newspaper was issued oftener than once a week ; but with the pro¬ 
gress of political events, the press assumed a higher position, and put forth greater 
energies. It was yet restricted, its rights scarcely understood, its power not ap¬ 
preciated, and its freedom curtailed by judicial decisions; nevertheless, it was 
advancing in character and importance. The trial of Zenger, the passage of the 
stamp act, the claim of parliamentary right to tax the colonies without represen¬ 
tation and without consent, and the resistance to those claims on great principles, 
called forth the patriotism of the colonists ; and the press, having then become 
the organ of an indomitable spirit of freedom, assumed a more elevated tone, and 
exerted a powerful influence in carrying the cause of the revolution to its tri¬ 
umphant consummation. 
So rapid was the increase of newspapers, that in 1810 the number of such 
publications in the United States amounted to three hundred and fifty-nine, of 
which sixty-six were printed in this state. These journals, like those published 
during the revolution, with rare exceptions, were controversial, and of a political 
and partizan character. The ability displayed in their columns exceeded that 
which the press exhibited during the revolution, in a proportion equal to the 
sphere to be supplied ; but the public taste had not yet become sufficiently refined 
