to publish articles reflecting upon the Continental Congress or
the cause of American independence.
PAPER OF PATRIOTS
The Portsmouth Mercury and Weekly Advertiser, the second newspaper, came from the press of Thomas Ferber at his "New Printing Office Near the Parade," in Portsmouth, on January 21, 1765. The paper was started because of dissatisfaction of some of the ardent patriots who thought the first paper was not sufficiently strong for American rights. In spite of the fact that the new paper said it stood "Ever ready in exposing arbitrary powers, public injuries and all attempts to prevent the liberties of the people dearer to them than their rights," it did not carry out its policy and consequently failed to obtain sufficient circulation to make the venture profitable. It was accordingly discontinued in about three years.
FIRST VENTURES IN DELAWARE
James Adams, a native of Ireland, was the publisher of The Wilmington Chronicle, the first newspaper in Delaware. After working for about seven years in the office of Franklin & Hall in Philadelphia, he set up a press in that city, but a year later (1761) he moved to Wilmington, where he first printed books and almanacs. In 1762 he started The Chronicle, but failed to get enough subscribers to make the venture profitable and after six months discontinued the sheet.
The second newspaper was also started in Wilmington in June, 1785, by Jacob A. Killen. He called his paper The Dela- ware Gazette; or The Faithful Centinel. The few copies of the early issues which have been preserved show that the paper had numerous variations in its title. From 1787 to 1791 the pub- lishers were Frederick Craig & Company. On March 5 of the latter year, the partnership was dissolved and the paper con- tinued by Peter Brynberg and Samuel Andrews "late part- ners with Frederick Craig." The editorial policy of The Gazette was outlined in its issue for April 2, 1791, as follows: "Particu- lar attention will be paid to agriculture and all communications (post paid) will be gratefully received and punctually attended
