belief in miracles and mysteries. On all sides the mists of prejudice and intolerance were clearing away, and the east was red with the dawning of a new morning.
The Newspaper was an important agent1663. First English newspaper.
1711–1714. Addison's Spectator (London).
1690. Public Occurrences
1704. The Boston News-Letter.
1719. Boston Gazette.
1719. American Weekly Mercury.
1725. First newspaper in New York. in the intellectual emancipation of the Colonies. The first attempt at journalism was made in 1690, when a little publication, more a pamphlet than a newspapers, was issued in Boston under the name Public Occurrences. This was intended to be issued monthly, but it was quickly suspended by the General Court. The Boston News-Letter followed in 1704, and in 1719 came the Boston Gazette, printed, though not edited, by James Franklin, the brother of Author:Benjamin Franklin. The American Weekly Mercury, of Philadelphia, was established one day later. The New England Courant, famous from its connection with the early career of Benjamin Franklin, followed next in order, in 1721. It was edited as well as printed by James Franklin. "I remember," says the Autobiography, "his being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking, as not likely to succeed, one newspaper being, in their judgement, enough for America." Nevertheless, newspapers multiplied until at the close of the period there were at least forty. In 1741, Franklin established in Philadelphia The General Magazine for All the British Provinces in America. Although published only six months, and containing little of literary value, this paper
