Mr. Gates: You enquire concerning the history of the Marietta Press.
The first newspaper published in Marietta, was the OHIO GAZETTE, AND TERRITORIAL AND VIRGINIA HERALD, by Wyllys Silliman. Its publication commenced December 18, 1801. I know of no existing file of its numbers excepting that which Mr. Arius Nye has reserved and bound, commencing with number three, and ending August 17, 1802. (This we believe, was the third paper commenced in the State. The first newspaper published northwest of the Ohio was issued at Cincinnati, Nov. 9, 1793. It was called the "Centinel of the North-Western Territory." Its motto was, "Open to all parties, but influenced by non." It was edited by William Maxwell. After changing its name and owner, in 1796, it was continued till 1800.)
I have in possession, an imperfect copy of the first number, lent me by Francis Devol, Esq. It was found among the papers of Capt. Jonathan Devol, who was one of Gen. Rufus Putnam's primitive band, and a distinguished first settler.
The Ohio Gazette was published till about 1811, the latter part of the time by Israel Fairlamb, and not always regularly. I believe that Elijah Backus and Nathaniel Gates, now of Gallipolis, were, at different times, engaged in the management of it.
The next newspaper establishment in Marietta was THE COMMENTATOR, by James B. Gardiner. It commenced in 1807, and was continued by Mr. Gardiner about a year. In 1809, if my recollection is right, the Commentator was resumed by Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Joseph Israel, now or lately a publisher in Clarksburg, Va. I had nearly a complete set of the Commentator, bound, which I lent to the Xenia Anti-Jacksonites, thro' Mr. Hammond in 1828. I regret to say the volume has never been returned. Will they correct this procedure?
It is now about twenty nine years since I commenced the publication of the WESTERN SPECTATOR. It extended to two and a half volumes, from October, 1810, to July, 1813.
In the spring of 1813, Messrs. David Everett, from Boston, and Timothy Buell and Daniel H. Buell, of Marietta, commenced the AMERICAN FRIEND. Mr. Everett died within no very long time after. Mr. Royal Prentiss became an associate, and not very long after, the sole proprietor of the establishment. Mr. Prentiss will doubtless give you a correct history of this publication during the long period in which he was publisher and editor.
Messrs. John Delafield, Jr., and Edward W. Nye bought the establishment in 1833. Mr. Prentiss, during most of the time in which he published, had a double title - THE AMERICAN FRIEND AND MARIETTA GAZETTE. The first title was omitted after he sold it. Pazzi Lapham, E. W. Nye, C. Emerson, and Isaac Maxon have conducted it at various times since.
The MARIETTA MINERVA was commenced Sept. 3, 1823, by A. V. D. Joline, who afterwards became associated with his brother, John K. Joline. (At this time it zealously advocated the claims of Henry Clay for the Presidency.) In 1827 its title was changed to the Washington County Pilot. The publication has been continued at intervals, under the title of the MARIETTA PILOT - the MARIETTA DEMOCRAT, and again of the PILOT - conducted latterly by C. B. Flood.
If time and health permit, I may hereafter give you something further of the history of our newspaper press. In the meantime I ask you to append hereto an extract from the opening address of the OHIO GAZETTE, to the then citizens of Western Virginia.
I am, sir, respectfully,
Caleb Emerson.
From the first number of the Ohio Gazette:
"The Editor this day, on presenting to the public the first number of this Gazette, is not ignorant that an apology is necessary for the alteration of its title. He might rest this apology on the gratitude which he feels, and ought to feel for the generous and extensive patronage he has received from the inhabitants of the western parts of Virginia; but this would be taking a ground more limited than that which he wishes to occupy. He is, indeed, proud in having this opportunity, at this time, and by this measure, to give to his Fellow-Citizens, on both sides of the Ohio, a pledge of his equal regard, and an example of that liberality of sentiment, which is not only so decorous in private character, but which forms so important a pillar in the fabric of social and political happiness.
"Breathing the same air - having the same wants - being capable of the same pleasures - talking the same language - living under the same national government, what is there to limit or divide our affections? A river! A river whose kindred branches we inhabit - whose current, mild and unbroken, though composed of a thousand tributary streams, affords us an impressive lesson of unity and peace!
"Surely this country ought to become one of the happiest under Heaven! blessed with a friendly climate - a rich and diversified soil - a rapidly encreasing population - and separated on all sides from the rest of the world by lakes and mountains, we form a world of our own, which can be ruined only by our own follies. Shall we admit that of all the most fatal, a spirit of discord.
"At present we enjoy the protection of a Government recognizing an equality of rights, and having liberty for its basis; may it be perpetual! but may we never forget that the best guarantors of our freedom will ultimately be found in the justness of our principles and the harmony of our feelings!"
The following facts we have obtained principally from Mr. Royal Prentiss.
The American Friend was established and the first number printed by Thomas G. Ransom, for David Everett, T. Buell and D. H. Buell, April 24, 1812. It was edited by David Everett. Mr. Everett died in December 1813. The paper was still printed by Ransom for T. & D. H. Buell, the latter of whom edited it until April 1814. It was then printed and published by T. & D. H. Buell and R. Prentiss, in company, till January 1816, when R. Prentiss purchased the establishment, and after a suspension till March, the publication was continued by him until June 19, 1823. It was then enlarged to a super-royal sheet and printed and published by R. & G. Prentiss under the title of American Friend and Marietta Gazette till August 1826, when it was again published by R. Prentiss, till May 1833. The establishment was then sold to Messrs. Delafield & Nye, and by them published under the title of the Marietta Gazette. Mr. Delafield was afterwards sole proprietor and sold the establishment to Pazzi Lapham, now Editor of the Xenia Torch Light. Mr. Lapham conducted the paper something less than a year, when he sold it to Mr. E. W. Nye, who conducted it a short time, when he sold to Caleb Emerson, Esq., who continued it until Mr. Maxon, the present proprietor, purchased it, nearly two years since.
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