The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register

On AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.

From Mr. St. John's American Farmer's Letters, lately published in France.

The gentlemen attained here, for a long time, a more extensive and usual object—They are become circulating staples, in which one reads not only the discussions of their assemblies—the laws recently promulgated—the sentences of their different courts of judicature—the instructions contained in the speeches that their governors pronounce at the sitting of the legislative bodies—the news extracted from the papers of Europe, and the states of the union; but also historical facts, interesting details upon agriculture, physic, commerce, the mechanics, &c. One sees there always a place consecrated to the muses, called the Poet's Corner: they are become diurnal and voluminous, where every one can have his ideas inserted. Has some new or instructive method been discovered in Georgia or Carolina, for instance? Do the European papers announce the invention of some machines, medicines, &c. the printers, emulous to have their gazettes read, replenish them with accounts of these, and with every thing that they think may excite curiosity, and be useful. Since the peace, many printers have appropriated the first pages of their papers to the coherent and regular publication of interesting books, such as, the voyage of Capt. Cook, the history of America, by Robertson, &c. I do not know whether I mistake in assuring you that these papers may be considered as one of the causes which diffuse throughout, a great degree of light and knowledge.

There are, however, many other causes, such as the establishment of schools, in all the cantons, colleges in every state, post offices, stage coaches which run from one end of the continent to the other, a great number of packet boats, which unite all the maritime towns of these thirteen states, &c.—On the other hand, the equality of condition—the consideration obtained by talents, especially those of eloquence—the useful education that the youth receive—the energy continually preserved, by their taste for political discussions, commercial speculations and travelling; the general example, in short, contributes more than I can tell you, to spread knowledge, and give these growing societies a peculiar efficacy—a new and particular nuance.

These are the reasons why so great a number of men of genius suddenly appeared upon the theatre of the late revolution; these are the reasons, that among the late cultivators, have been found a Washington, a Putnam, &c. among the printers a Franklin, among the merchants a Green, a Laurens, a Middleton, a Hancock, &c. among the statesmen a Knox, among the lawyers an Adams, a Jay, a Drayton, a Rutledge, a Pinckney, &c.

The English industry, and the inventive patience of the Germans, grafted upon this new stock, seem to promise the most excellent fruit; and who can foresee to what point the powers of man can be extended, in some future day, when those governments, clear of their debts, and actual difficulties, shall become rich enough, to excite emulation, by recompensing useful discoveries?

J