The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Messieurs Fowle,

AMONG all the Discoveries which human Sagacity has made, one of the most important and useful to Mankind is PRINTING.---

The Press has ever been patronized by the most shining Characters in every Age and Nation where its Beams have shone, and esteemed a very distinguished Being of Providence. None but sordid Minds, "who hate the Light lest their evil Deeds should be seen," ever wished to extinguish this Light of Heaven, or contract its freedom by inspecting Slaves. - The most able Pens have touched upon this Subject and done it that Honour which mine cannot pretend to, but the Press is such a Source of Blessings among a Free People, as to be altogether inexhaustible by the Pens of Men. I Shall mention a few obvious Advantages that accrue to common People by reading the News Papers; which are designed as an Inducement to them to encourage the Press, and support its Freedoms as a Fountain from which innumerable Benefits are derived. It is the interest of every one to have some Knowledge of History, the Laws of one's Country, the Transactions of the Senate, and all public Officers and Servants to the State: the new and useful Discoveries in the Arts and Sciences, together with innumerable other Parts of Knowledge which are conveyed in this Channel: By reading the Weekly Publication we see the important Changes that are constantly taking Place in the World, have the Characters of the most distinguished Persons as they go off the Stage of Action, are warned by the Folly and Fate of evil Men, to shun the Paths that lead to Ruin; and are instructed by the noble Example Of the Wise and Good, to tread in the Steps of Virtue and Honor at the same Time we are admonished by their Departure to be active in our Day and improve the Candle of Life while it burns.-- Also our Children and Servants are taught the most Useful Lessons without any Trouble or Expence; their Minds are drawn by Curiosity to read the News, whereby they learn to Read, and at the same time receive Instruction, are forming their Minds to Virtue and Honor, and are storing up useful Knowledge. In short, there is no End to the Advantages which result from this great Spring of human Happiness. It is like a spacious River running through a vast Continent, whose numerous Branches and winding Streams refresh Hills and Vales, Trees and Plants of every Kind, turning Machines of various Forms, for the use of Man, quenching the Thirst of every Creature, and spreading Beauty and Pleasure over universal Nature!-- But where Tyrants control this great this important Engine, it conveys nothing to the People but a Stream of Poison which clouds the Rays of Light puts out the Public Eye, quenches the Fire of Patriotism, and excludes every celestial Beam from the human Mind! Then how important, how precious is this Gift of Heaven? Let us cultivate and defend it as we do the vital Flame! and use our utmost Endeavours that it be handed down in its full, native Freedom, to the latest Period : of Time, and its golden Rays be of equal Duration with the Beams of the Sun.

F.