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

{
April and Joined the provincial militia in opposing
the Kings troops at Lexington. The next day he
arrived IN Worcester, opened his printing Office,
and recommended the publication of the Spy in
this place. May 3, IT'D. ---
This event formed era in the history of
the country as well as in the annals of this
village. 1t was the first printing ever perfo
In the interior of New England. To form an esti-
mate oil the Importance of this branch of bust
ness 10 the past re nown or present prosperity
oil TINS place, would be no easy task The inhu-
ence oil gazette, SO centrally located, under the
guaahCe OF such an editor, not tightly esteem
eu ny the patriots of the Revolution
Inc provincial Congress were now in session at
Malerlown' and 1t was proposed by them to remove
this press to that place but il was afterwards de-
termined that it should remain in Worcester and
that the Spy should be transmitted by post riders
Z to Watertown and Cambridge Until presses were
established IN those places, Mr.. Thomas executed
/ the printing for the Congress.
| In the indulgence of peculiar poetical fancy
! his papers were generally ornamented with curi.
ously significant devices and appropriate mottos
! In l714 1t bore a dragon and snake the former
/ representing Great Britain and the serpent this
country. This latter was separated into parts to
I represent the different colonies. The head .rd
tail were furnished with stings for defence against
| the dragon, which were placed in the posture of
making an attack This device extended the whole
width of the paper with the motto over the SER
pent in large capitals JOIN or DIE.
! In consequence of an odious excise upon news
papers IN 1885, the publication of the Spy was sus-
pended, but its place taken by a magazine
winch supplied the same matter without submission
to the stamp Act. disqualification was resumed
IN 1905, after suspension of about two years. The
| paper began its numbers March T. I'LL and the
series has been uninterrupted to this day
Ihe labors OF Mr.. Il. had not been confined to
the Spy lie established the first newspaper in
Newburyport as early 1773, this he soon passed
into other hands In TIA, he published in Boston
/ fhn &.
! Tue ttoyai American Magazine monthly perodi-
cal Besides the usual variety of general literature
this work contains faithful summary of the nub
Tic transactions in Boston during that eventfI wear
and great value is added to the work from the pub
lie documents preserved in its pages, and which
are not elsewhere to be found
The small amount of property contained in the
package sent across Charles river, upon the flight
from Boston, was all that he rescued from five wears
ol unremltted toll III the cause of freedom the
residue fell prey to the soldiery, or was carried
OFT with the plumber ofthe army.
Ae soon as the enemy had evacuated Boston. his
enterprlslng spirit in pursuit of more extensive
business than that of conducting a country news
paper. An attempt to form an establishment at
Salem, terminated unsuccessfully. The Spy bay.
ing been leased to two gentlemen of the bar in
worcester Tor one year, and again for another
year to Anthony Haswel, was resumed by its for
mer editor in 1778. In consequence of bad mate
rlals and unskilful workmanship the paper ap-
peared IN wretched dshabile during the &C ntin-
nance OF the lease. The general depression of the
Tunes also affected the subscription list, which in
~, 49, did not much exceed 800.
In July, 76, participated in the first ebration
oil American Independence in this place The
great Charter of Liberty was first publicly promul-
gated by him, standing upon the porch ofihe meet
ing house. 1t was received by the united accla-
nations of vast multitude of the citizens, who.
under the open canopy Of heaven, superadded to
that OF Congress their solemn pledge to support it
with fortune, honor and life.
After the war, when the Government began to
assume more permanent form, he extended his
business not only printer, but as a bookseller
The first paper mill and bookbindery in this coun-
ty were established by him. For several years he
employed printing presses in this town. and with
his partner in Boston, Mr. Andrews, furnished bu-
sness for 5 in that city and 4 in other towns He
established the frst newspaper in Wapole, n, H.,
and in Brookfeld in this County, at which places
as we'll as at Albany and Baltimore he was con-
cerned in extensive bookstores From these
sources much of the literature of the country was
supplied The systematic manner in which the
details OF these extensive concerns were conduct
ed gave him an elevated character for skill as a
merchant In 1902, the Spy, with proportion of
his other business, was transferred to his SON. who
died few years since in Boston. Leisure and op-
portunity were now given him to pursue his liter
airy avocations. In 1910 he presented TO the pub
lie his History OF Printing, in two vols 8vo., in
GLIDING history of newspapers, with bographi-
cal sketches OF the ante revolutionary printers and
booksellers in New England This work manifest
ed great research, untirng industry and no incon-
siderable share of learning. 1t passed the ordeal
of the reviewers both in this country and Great
Britain, and is received as a standard work upon
the subjects treated of in its pages. During the
long period in which he contemplated the prepara-
ton of this work, he continually laying aside
tor preservation, every book pamphlet, and file of
newspapers that came in his way, which might aid
him in the undertaking. He likewise expended
| large sums in procuring from abroad valuable ma.
terlals for the same purpose. His library now
comprised the most valuable collection of Ameri-
literature to be found in the hands of any ind
vidual in the country. Many of his works were
rare and no other copies were to be found Such
library, he observed if once dispersed could new
er again be gathered Its Importance to the future
historian was inestimable. The want of it had
been sensibly felt by himself in making his COM
pilation and the inconvenience had been overcome
| by personal sacrifices that no other individual
could make. He therefore proposed to number
of the friends of American history, principally of
his own neghborhood, the establishment of an as
sociation for collecting and preserving the mate
rails Of our history, in every form In which they
may present themselves, and he offered to endovy
the institution by donation of his collection. The
proposition readily acceded to and the Ameri-
can Antiquarian Society was incorporated in 1872
Upon its organization he was elected its President
and has ever since held the office by the unani-
nous votes of the members in each successive
J
cess, suffered no dmiuution in its subsequent pro-
gress. Every yearhe has made liberal donations
of books and rare curiosties, obtained both by So
lcitation from their possessors, and by purchases
at an amount not lnconsderable. In 1920, the
Society published the first volume of their transac-
tons, with the title Of American Archeologia ; the
work is enriched by learned and minute account
of the ancient mounds upon the Muskingum and
Scoto rivers with other vestiges that mysterious
race of men, who probably the former pos :
SCISSORS of this continent. The subjects are illus
trated by diagrams made from actual surveys and
expensive engravings.
These labors which have added SO much to the
general stock of human knawledge, and attracted
the notice of many learned societies in Europe, .
were wholly at the expense of Mr. Thomas In
the same year he erected spacious and permanent
edlhce, lifted with rooms for the accommodation of
the Library and Cabinet, and appropriated for the
exclusive use of the members ofthe Society. The
Library now exceeds 5000 volumes, more than
! 5000 Of which consist of annual files of American
/