The North-Carolinian., 1850-06-29
From the North Caro!iua Standard
SKE TCHES OF THE NORTH CAR
OLiNA PRESSING. g.

This folio Of four pages. happy work
Which not cen critics crltic!se. that holds.
lnquis;tive attention.
What IS 1t. but map Of oasy life,
Its fluctuations aad its vast concerns 2"
CowpER.
In the FIRST number on this subject.
published some short time since, the his
tory Of the Press was collated from it's
discovery in the 18th century, dow n 10 our
Revolution. The Press Of our own State,
from its FIRST introduction into the Pro-
vince in l749, by James Davis, aud the
names and characters Of the different
Editors, were stated.
From that period to The present much
information is collected. yet much is need
ed to make its history complete and salts
factory.
Tie ruling powers of England, says
Williamson, in his History 0: North Caro-
lima, vol. /, 1875, appear to have regarded
knowledge as dangerous plant in the pro-
vinces, else they would not have instruct
ed Lord bingham. the Governor of Vir-
ginia, mot to suffer the use Of Printing
Press on any occasion whatever 1t was
cause Of gratitude, for which Sir William
BerkIey gave thanks to Heaven, 'that
there was not Printing Office ia any of
the Southern Provinces"
Surely, if subjects afforded his Lordship
any cause of congratulation, the early his.
tory of our State must have filled his loyal
heart with happiness.
But, under the influence Of free govern
ment, the Press. during the period which
we are now considering, has attained in
our Government position and power hith-
erty unknown in the history Of our race.
Tymperly, in his Encyclopedia of Lit
erary and Typographical Anecdote, informs
US that the United States had in 1884,
newspa pers than all Europe with popula
ton Of 100, 100000!
Such are consequences Of Institutions
and Laws that realize the idea of Locke's
perfection of a Government, where every
man may think what he Pleases and speaks
what he thinks.
At the commencement of the Revolu.
ton Of 1875, the only euspapers in our
State, were at Newbern, Wilmington,
Halifax. Edenton, and Hillshorough.
In 1912, there were newspapers printed
at Newbern, Wilmington, Edenton. Tar
borough, Murfreesborough, Fayetteville,
Raleigh, and Warrenton.
1t is to be regretted that no files are
extant of this period, or within the control
of the writer of this sketch, which show
''the form and pressure Of the times' or
the characters of the Editors.
We observe that the Legislature Of Wis
consin. at a recent session. has ordered
that the County Court Clerks of eA ch
County. shall subscribe in the name of the
County, for copy Of each paper printed
in the County for reference, to be bound
up and preserved.
1t would be u worthy enactment Of our
General Assembly and further. to direct
the State Librarian to procure copy Of
each paper printed in the State. to be pre-
served in like manner. Their value
would increase with their years, and be a
m ost useful and reliable source Of reference
1776, was printed, as we'll as the Acts of
the Legislature. the first that assembled
under the Constitution, by James Davis.
at Newbern, in April, 1777.
James Davis was, stated in previous
number Of these Sketches. Virginian by
birth. and was appointed. under the Colo
NAL Government, Post Master at New
bern. by Benjamin Franklin. and also
held the commission Of magistrate. from
Gov Tryon-the last but one, Of the ROYAL
Governors.
The Private Acts Of the General Assem-
bly,, from l7l5 to 1890. were printed at
Newbern, by Francois X. Martin: in 1874.
The life and character Of Francois
Xavier Martin, is full of interest.
The lesson it teaches is full Of enc courage
ment to the industrious, prudent and
persevering. He was Frcnchman by
birth, as his name indicates, without for
tune aud friends. but by application and
industry rose to the highest ranks Of So
ciety. In 1871, the Legislature afforded
him aid in publishing the statutes Of En-
gland in force and use in this State. In
| 1905 be was employed BY the same to
publish revisal of the acts Of the Pro-
prietary, Royal and State Governments.
In 1909. he was appointed by Mr. Madison
TO judicial office, first in Mississippi Ter
ritory, afterwards Orleans; and when the
latter became State, Louisiana, he was
appointed Judge of the Supreme Court oi
that State, in which Office, he recently
died, full Of wears. wealth and honor. In
1929. he published History Of North
Carolina in two volumes.
Abraham Hodge. uncle of William Boy
Ian. Esq. of Raleigh. was contemporary,
and was early an extensive printer in the
State. Of his life. character aud death,
the writer is not Informed.
The name Of Joseph Gales appears IL
Tymperly's Encyclopedias as the publishel
of the Sheffield Register No. l. in Eng!a nd
in June. l7l7. He fed to America from
the prosecutions Of tyranny in 1874, and
settiedin Raleigh, where in 1899. he es
| fahl;-bcd 4 fhc ~~oeer& 0aiciuh REGISTER r.