In 1660, Marmake Johnson, a Printer, was sent over from England, with another Press and Types, which also was established at Cambridge, and the particular design of which was to print the Bible in the Indian language. Johnson brought a letter with him from his patrons in England, which, among other things, contains the following very singular announcement:
"We have out of our desire, to further a worke of soe great consernment [the printing of the Bible in question] agreed with an able Printer for three years upon the terms and condition, enclosed. Mr. Johnson, the Printer, and for his incurrageraent in this undertaking of printing the bible in the Indian language, his name may bee mentioned with others as a Printer and person that hath bine instrumentall therein; for whose diet, lodging and washing wee desire you to take care of."
Johnson was unfortunate—got into difficulty—was fined by the Court—turned out of employment when the Bible was completed, and finally died in 1675. Green, who succeeded Daye, carried on the business at Cambridge for fifty years, and died in 1702, aged 87.
These men, therefore, GLOVER, DAYE, GREEN, and JOHNSON, may be regarded as the Fathers of the Art on this Continent. It is impossible at this day to tell the trials and adverse fortunes, the perplexities and the hardships, through which they had to pass. That they were many and grievous, I can well imagine. But they were the pioneers in a glorious undertaking—and thrice gloriously has it succeeded!
At the dates above enumerated, no Newspaper had yet been published in the Colonies, nor was there, until 1704, April 20, when the first number of the News Letter," by John Campbell, Printer, book-seller, and Post-Master, was issued at Boston, In 1693, William Bradford commenced the Printing Business in New-York.—This was the dawn of Printing in the "Empire State." What mighty revolutions have since been wrought! From the fountain thus established, innumerable streams have sprung into existence, fertilizing and enriching the proud domains of Art, Literature, and Science, until our noble State has assumed a commanding pre-eminence among the sisters of this mighty Republic! Long may she occupy that enviable position.
This much have I deemed it, not only proper, but necessary to say, before entering upon subjects that more properly and legitimately belong to the "History of the Press in Western New-York." It struck me, and I doubt not it will be so viewed by the Craft generally, that it would be essentially proper to give this running account of the earliest introduction of Printing into this country.—Thus a foundation has been laid for what may follow.
FREDERICK FOLLETT.
Batavia, March 16, 1847.
