The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-04-13
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS spy.
OBITUARY..

I
this town on Monday, the 4th instant was probably
the Oldest printer in this country, the ancient found
er of this paper and for many years its sole editor
and proprietor. He was born in Boston. Jan 10 I749
His ancestors emigrated from England in the early
settlement of that place. His grandfather Peter
Thomas, was merchant, who kept near the Town
Dock in a owned by himself, and died in TAG,
leaving four sons and two daughters. The second
son, Moses, resided for some time at Long Island,
from whence he returned with his family to Bos-
ton. Upon voyage to North Carolina he died,
leaving a destitute widow and five children, OF
whom the subject OF this notice was the youngest.
AT the age OF SIX years, he was apprentced to
Lacheriah FowsS, printer OF ballads in Boston.
Instead of being sent to school. he was placed in
the printing office; and to enable him to set the
types Tor the small works executed at the press, he
was elevated upon bench, raised 10 inches from
the hoor. The composing stick he then used is
preserved with specimen of this carly attempt at
typography Without the assistance of any one, as
ne himself often declared, in this shop he not only
acquired knowledge of the elementary, branches
otearning but was so far to write as that
at the age of II, he enabled to take charge of
newspaper at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, to which
place he went upon a disagreement with his mas
Ter lie remained at this place some months, dur
ing which time, the memorable Stamp Act was to
take effect in the colonies To send out a news
paper with this odious badge of servitude was re-
pugnant to the feelings of the young New England.
man as he was then called An editorial paragraph
caused the printer to be summoned before the pub
lie authorities. He exculpated himself by casting
the blame upon his apprentice, who had the charge
OF the Pper. second paragraph induced a call
upon the young man himself, who was permitted to
extrlcate himself, with slight reprimand and by
being reminded that he was not in Boston, The
reams OF paper in the office being secretly Invested
OF the stamps, the gazette afterwards issued
without this obnoxious mark. In March, l767, he
LETT Halifax and after working some time in New
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former master IN Boston. After separating from
him by agreement, he attempted TO establish him
self at Wilmington North Carolina From this
place he went to Charleston, South Carolina, where
he worked Tor two years. In consequence of de-
Ginning health, he abandoned project in which he
was engaged OF going to England. to acquired more
perfect knowledge ofhis trade. In ITO, he return
ed to his native town, and in connection with z.
towle, commenced The Massachusetts Spy small
paper published three times week. The partner
ship continued but three months, when he purchas-
ed the establishment and published the paper upon
halt sheet, until December of that year, when it
was discontinued. March 7, l77l he commenced
the present Massachusetts, Spy, which was publish
ed weekly upon large sheet Although firmly at
tached to the popular side in the rising political
contest he permitted his paper to be open to both
partes but the royalists withdrew their pat
ronage and the paper then devoted exclusively
to the wing interest. Overtures were made by the
royalistS to obtain his influence but these being re-
Jected, an attempt at coercion made, by an en-
deavor to embarass the pecuniary concerns of the
establishment. The interposition of friends pre-
vented any trouble from this quarter. In conse-
quence of an Essay signed Mucius Scaevoa, pub
lshed IN the Spy of Nov, It'll, he was summoned
by Gov. Hutchinson and his council to appear at
the Council Chamber. He promptly refused ODE
dlence to the order. His answers to the messenger
which were written down at the time, discover a
knowledge of his personal rights residences of
i 1 a. .C-l-
y indicated the course he would afterwards pursue
in the coming contest. defect of authority in this
branch of the Government, suspended further pro-
ceedings, until the sitting of the Superior Court,
when vigorous attempt was made to procure an
Indictment, but was defeated by the Independent
spirit of the Grand Jury. proceeding by infor-
nation, was the next course, but the general intel.
lgance OF the people frowned upon this odous en-
CINE. Of government, for Stacking the press. In
consequence of some supposed libels upon the
King, the attempts at prosecution were renewed in
l72 but the assistance of his friends he was ex-
treated from the danger. A proffer OF professional
services from the distinguished James Otis, who
had withdrawn from active fife in consequence of
the malady which Frustrated the energies of his
mighty mind, was gratefully received by Mr. Thorn
as, and manlfess the interest felt for his security
by the leading patriots of the revolution.
At this period there were three other papers pub
lished in Boston, but neither of them had patron
age equal to the Spy. Upon its first publication,
the subscription list contained less than 200
Names but such its increase that in two years
it had more subscribers than any other paper in
New England.
Questions Of political science and constitutional
law were no longer confined to the forum and halls
Of legislation, but became daily themes of discus
sion in the mechanics shop, at the farmers fire
side, and in the town meeting. The exgencies of
the times called for Journal conducted by one
whose education, habits, and modes of thinking
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people, where every one could find his own feel
ings and principles reflected without the EXPOSE
tons of the learned Such paper was found in
the Spy and such editor in Mr. Thomas. The
ability prudence, and intrepidiy exhibited by him
in this department gives to his character an eeva-
ton and dignity which can be obtained but by few.
1t is here his name stands out in bold relief, and
claims the applause of mankind. Considering his
YOUTH his limited means for acquiring learning and
the portentous state of the times it must have re-
quired mind of ordinary bearing to have sus-
tanned itself in so unequal a conflict. On the one
side, was most of the learning and wealth of the
province, supported by the patronage of the Gov
eminent, in favor of the existing state of things
and branding with the reproach of sedtion and re-
bellon every movement for liberty, on the other a
people Of staid and religious habits ENJOYING the
most unlimited practical freedom, contendinp not
against any actual tangible oppression, but mere
ly for principles and abstract right Thus circum-
stanced this youthful apostle of liberty took the
field. 1t is true his paper was the medium of com.
municatioh for some of the ablest writer's of the
day and was directed in great measure by the
leaders Of the popular party, but all the RESPONSE
bilities were upon the editor and publisher, and a
single act ofindiscretion might have involved him
| in serious consequences. That he was indebted
for his editorial matter, chiefly to his own pen, is
apparent from an examination of the files Of the
Spy at that period. Matters of fact without the
tinsel of ornament, and plain argument without the
sophistry ofthe schools,were the simple instruments
by which the tempest of popular Indignation was
reused, and virtuous community required no 9th
er trident to set bounds to the swelling Storm In
review Of that PERIOD he himself observes, "com-
mon sense in common language is as necessary to
influence one class of citizens, as much as learning
and elegance of composition are to produce an ef-
feet upon another. The cause of America was
just, and it was only necessary to state that cause
in clear and impressive manner, to unite the
American people in its support"
During that period of peculiar gloom. when the
people of Boston were goaded to resentment by
the provisions of the Port Bill, an act of wanton
tyranny unparalleled in the history of this country,
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