_Commissioners._ Jordan Coles, Robert Nichols, Josiah Noyes.
_Inspectors._ Charles I. Doughty, Evan Beynon, Robert Snow.
_Trustees of District School No. 1._ William Cornwell, Joseph Sprague,
Charles I. Doughty.--_Clerk_, Ralph Malbone.
_Newspapers._
Four Newspapers have been published in this town in the following
chronological order:
June 26, 1799. The first number of the “Courier, and New-York and
Long-Island Advertiser,” published by Thomas Kirk, Esq. This was the
first newspaper established on Long-Island.
May 26, 1806. The first number of the “Long Island Weekly
Intelligencer,” published by Mess’rs. Robinson and Little.
June 1, 1809. The first number of the “Long Island Star,” published by
Thomas Kirk, Esq.
March 7, 1821. The first number of the “Long Island Patriot,” published
by Geo. L. Birch, Esq.
In the month of November, 1810, proposals were issued by Benjamin F.
Cowdrey, & Co. for establishing in Brooklyn a weekly newspaper, to be
entitled “The Long-Island Journal, and American Freeman.” For some
reason unknown to the compiler this paper was not published.
During the month of May, 1820, Brockholst Livingston, jun. issued
proposals for publishing a weekly newspaper in this village, to be
entitled the “Long-Island Republican.” Not meeting with sufficient
encouragement, this attempt was abandoned.
The only two papers now in existence in this town, are “The Star,”
published by Alden Spooner, Esq. and the “Long Island Patriot,” by
George L. Birch, Esq.
_Moral Character._
It is a delicate subject for a writer to treat of the morals of a people
among whom he is a resident, lest by telling the truth too plainly, he
awaken unpleasant feelings in the breasts of some whom perhaps he would
not wish to offend. On the other hand, if glaring faults are slightly
passed over, or palliated, it calls down on his devoted head all the
envenomed attacks of malicious criticism. The compiler, however,
flatters himself that neither will be the case in this instance.
The people of Brooklyn, it is true, cannot be considered as rigid in
religious matters as the saints of Oliver Cromwell’s army, whose very
cannon had on the inscription of “O Lord, open thou our lips, and our
mouth shall shew forth thy praise!” But they are far from being
irreligious; the churches are well filled, religious societies are
liberally supported, vice discountenanced; and for the more effectual
suppression thereof, in 1815, a society for the suppression of vice and
immorality was formed, consisting of many of the most respectable
inhabitants of the town. By the exertions of our Sunday school
societies, attached to the different congregations, the morals of the
younger part of the community have been greatly reformed; and it is
highly gratifying to observe the improvement made in the general morals,
of the town, in consequence of their benevolent exertions.