The first Boston newspaper which gained a permanency, was published in
1704, and was continued for more than seventy years. It was equally
fortunate in the selection of an appropriate and significant name, the
"Boston News-Letter," and this was possibly suggested by the fact that it
was preceded by the issue of a news-letter in manuscript which was as
strictly, as the newspaper which followed it, a "News-Letter." Naturally
enough too, considering the times, it was originated by the postmaster,
who came in contact in his business, not only with the people of Boston,
but generally with those of the whole colony, as we think, there were then
but few post-offices in the colony: the need of a News-Letter for
everybody would, as we have intimated, naturally suggest itself to him,
and be also, as in fact it was, an important aid to his business, though
it is said he did not make much out of it, and soon after lost his
position as postmaster.
New England.
_The_ BOSTON News-Letter.
From Monday April 17, to Monday April 24, 1704.
"Boston: Printed by B. Green, and sold by Nicholas Boone, at his shop
near the old meeting-house."
[Illustration: The Boston News-Letter.]
John Campbell, a Scotchman, bookseller and postmaster, was the proprietor
of the paper. It was printed on a half-sheet, pot paper, and was to be
continued weekly, "Published by authority." Among the contents was an
article from the "London Flying Post," containing news from Scotland,
"concerning the present danger of the kingdom and the Protestant
Religion," "Papists swarm the nation," &c.; also extracts from the London
papers, and four paragraphs of marine news. Advertisements inserted "at a
reasonable rate from twopence to five shillings." On the same day that the
paper was issued Judge Sewall notes in his diary that he went over to
Cambridge, and gave Mr. Willard, president of the College, "the first
News-Letter that was ever carried over the river."
The second issue of the paper, No. 2, was on a whole sheet of pot paper,
the last page blank.
In the fifth number Boone's name was left out, and the paper was sold at
the post-office. To No. 192, the paper was printed on a half-sheet,
excepting the second issue.
Green printed the paper for Campbell, until Nov. 3, 1707, after which it
was printed by John Allen, in Pudding Lane, near the post-office, and
there to be sold; and Allen printed it four years to No. 390. On the day
that number was published, Oct. 2, 1711, the post-office and
printing-office were burnt; and the following week it was again printed by
Green, in Newbury Street, and he continued to print it until October,
1715. In 1719, Mr. Campbell tried the experiment of printing a whole
sheet, instead of a half sheet, every other week, but this did not pay
very well; and in addition to this difficulty, he lost the office of
postmaster in December of that year. The new postmaster also printed a
paper (Gazette) and this led to the first newspaper war in the country,
but which did not last long, and terminated without much damage.
In 1721, Campbell got a new idea and printed some copies of the
"News-Letter" on a sheet of writing paper, leaving one page blank, so that
his subscribers could write their letters on that, and send the paper
abroad without extra postage. In the next year, after he had published the
paper eighteen years, he sold to his printer, Bartholomew Green.
"Published by authority" had been omitted by Campbell for two years, and
in 1725 Green restored it. In December, 1726, the title was changed to
"The Weekly News-Letter," and subsequently, in 1730, to "The Boston Weekly
News-Letter," and the numberings of the previous issues were added
together, and the total reached 1,396, in October, 1730. No other
alteration took place until the death of Green, when in Jan. 4, 1733, John
Draper, his son-in-law, succeeded him. Draper printed the "News-Letter"
for thirty years, and died November, 1762. His son, Richard Draper,
continued the paper and enlarged the title to "The Boston Weekly
News-Letter and New England Chronicle." In about a year the title was
again altered to "The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston Weekly
News-Letter," and was decorated with the King's Arms. Richard took a
kinsman as partner, and the paper now bore this imprint: "Published by
Richard Draper, Printer to the Governor and Council, and by Samuel Draper,
at the printing-office, in Newbury Street." Richard Draper continued the
paper, and in May, 1768, a singular arrangement took place between the
"Massachusetts Gazette" (or News-Letter) and the "Boston Post Boy and
Advertiser," and both papers were "Published by authority," in other words
as government papers. Each paper was one-half "The Massachusetts Gazette,
published by authority," and the other half bore its own proper name; and
Draper called it the "Adam and Eve paper." This plan continued until
September, 1769, and then its title "The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston
Weekly News-Letter," was resumed. In May, 1774, Draper took a partner, and
the next month he died, and his widow, Margaret Draper, continued the
paper in the interest of the loyalists or tories, until the evacuation of
Boston, and then it ceased. She went to Halifax and then to England, and
there obtained a pension. The "News-Letter" was published seventy-two
years. It is a curious fact that the first newspaper established in Boston
should have got into the hands of the tories, and in the last year of its
existence, in the trying times of the revolutionary war, should have been
conducted by a woman.
* * * * *
"The New England Chronicle, or The Evening Gazette," published at
Cambridge, Sept. 28, 1775, speaks of "Mrs. Draper's Paper," in the
following paragraph:--
"The miserable Tools of Tyranny in Boston appear now to be somewhat
conscious of their infamy in Burning Charlestown, and are, with the
assistance of the Father of Liars, devising Methods for clearing up
their characters. One of them, in Mrs. Draper's paper, asserts that
the Provincials, on the 17th of June, after firing out of Houses upon
the King's troops, set the Buildings on Fire. This doubtless, is as
true as that the Provincials fired first upon the King's Troops at
Lexington. Both of them are equally false, and well known to be as
palpable Lies as ever were uttered. The propagation of them are,
however, perfectly consistent with the Perfidy, Cowardice, and
Barbarity of Gage and his detestable understrappers."
Some other paragraphs are copied from "Mrs. Draper's last Boston Paper,"
of which the following is one:--
"We hear a certain Person of Weight among the Rebels hath offered to
return to his Allegiance on Condition of being pardoned and provided
for: What encouragement he has received remains a secret."
* * * * *
John L. DeWolf, Esq., of Boston, has complete files of "The Boston Weekly
News-Letter," for the years 1744 and 1745; and we are indebted to him for
the use of them. The following are specimens of some of the advertisements
of the time:--
"To be sold, a likely Negro boy about 12 years old: enquire of the
printer."
"To be sold by the Province Treasurer: Good Winter Rye, which may be
seen at the Granary, on the Common" [Park street].
"A fine negro male child to be given away." [There are numerous
advertisements of slaves and negroes.]
"To be sold, a Good Dwelling-House, situate near the Green Dragon, in
the Main street, with a large tract of Land for a Garden, a good Well
in the Cellar and other conveniences. Enquire of Daniel Johonnot,
Distiller."
Elizabeth Macneal advertises "a likely young negro girl;" "also some
Household goods to be sold."
Josiah Jones advertises his man servant, 19 years of age as a runaway,
"having on an old ragged Coat, a good Check'd Shirt and Trowsers, a Pair
of Black Callamanco Breeches, a pair of Gray Yarn Stockings, and a new
Pair of Shoes."
"The Gentleman who borrowed a Blue Great Coat at the White Swan, about
three weeks past, is desir'd to return the same forthwith: the Person
whom he borrow'd it of, thinking he has had it long enough."
"This is to inform the Publick, That the Cold-Bath in the Bath-Garden,
at the West End of Boston is in Beautiful Order for use. It is a
living Spring of Water, which the coldest Season in Winter never
affects or freezes," &c.
"This is to inform the Publick that Edmond Lewis of Boston,
watch-maker, never bought a Watch of, nor ever sold one to any Slave
whatever; and the malicious Report of his having dealt with some
negroes is scandalously false."
"Choice Carolina Pork and Beef, to be sold at the Warehouse on the
South side of the Town Dock, adjoining the Impost office."
"A negro woman to be sold by the Printer of this paper; the very best
negro woman in town; who has had the small-pox and measles; is as
hearty as a horse, as brisk as a bird, and will work like a Beaver."