\ 1
 

CHAPTER XXn.
 

{1795.)

First Hewapaperw-Hiitory of Newspapera Up to  1845—^First One-Cent

Paper—^Beginning of the Newiboy—Origin of Newspaper

Distribntion—The Koon Hoax.

One hundred and eighty-four years ago the flrat newspaper was
publiahed In New Tork City by William Bradford, To what an extent has
the graveyard of newapaper hopes grown since then! Bradford's paper
was printed on a small foolscap sheet, with the heading "New York
Oaxette. From Monday, Oct. 16th. to Oct. 23d. 1725.'' It waa a weekly
publication. During Governor Cosby's administration, when Bradford's
paper eapouaed the cause of the government, John Peter Zenger eatabliahed
"The New York Weekly Journal." which became tho vehicle of thoae
opposed to tbo administration of tbe testy and despotic Cosby. It was
because of the suit againat Sanger for publishing what the Governor
claimed to bo aedltloua lltrala that the freedom of the preas was eatabliahed
on August 4, 1735, and "the aseda were planted which germinated among
the people and sprung up, like the sown dragon's teeth, a hoet of armed
warriors.'' Bradford's paper ceased publication in 174 3, and tbe next
year James Psrher, his apprentice. Issued a weekly called "The New York
Gazette and Weekly Postboy/' "The Weekly Journal" of Zenger was dis¬
continued In 1752. and on Its foundation Hugh Qalne built "Tbe Now Vork
Mercury.'* In 17G5 three papers wore laaued In thia city—Parker*a "New
York Gazette and Weekly Postboy," but at that time publiahed by John
Holt: Game's "Now York Mercury,*' first laaued in 1763. and William
Woyman'a "New York Gazette," publiahed In 1759.

In November. 1766, Parker reaumed the publication of "The Gatette
and Postboy," and continued It until bis death in 1770, while Holt Issued
a new paper, "The New York Journal or General Advertiser," which re¬
mained the organ of the Liberty party until tbe capture of tbe city in
177fl> when he waa forced to aet up hla press In Eaopua. When tbat
village waa burned, in 1777, ho went to Pougbkeepete, where he con¬
tinued to publiah hla paper until the cloae of the war. In tbo autumn of
1783 It was again printed in the city of New York, under tbe title of
"The Independent Gatette or the New York Journal Revived." Holt died
In 17S4, and the paper was continued by his widow until 17S7. when
Thomaa Greenleaf acquired it and merged It into two papers, a weekly,
"Oreenieaf'a New York Journal and Patriotic Reglater," and a dally, "The
New York Journal and Dally Patriotic Regiater," afterward "The Argiia, or
Greenleaf'e New Daily Advertiser."

During the poweaslon of tbe elty by the British two papera were

no