Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-07
W(ortcstrr 9ailg Spp.
THE FIRST READER OF THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE

cences of the Reading of the Declaration NJ
independence in Boston, 1776, though not new
In its facts to most of our readers, will vet he
read with interest on account of the subject of
which it treats.
lFrom the Boston Saturday Evening Gazette1
Isaiah Thomas, native of Boston. was
born january 10, l74S, and at the age Of less
than SIX years was bound apprentice to Zecha-
ran Fowler, printer, described as honest,
put eccentric, irritable, effeminate and better
skilled IN domestic cares than the mysteries OF
the printing house. The first essay of the
almost infant workman, requiring the eleva.
ton Of high bench to reach the case, was
directed to the composition of a licentious bal.
lad, rejecting no credit to the sense or taste
OF the master. Deprived of the usual advan-
tages OF schools, and of good instructions in
Ns art, he was compelled to rely on his own
resources to supply the deficiencies of educa.
ton. Earnest desire for improvement found
or made the way. The whole library of his
office was a tattered dictionary and ink. stained
Bible, two or three books purchased with saw
ings OF trfiing perquisites, and few more,
borrowed from friends, were added to this
slender collection Of literature. Dligent study
and persevering assiduity enabled him, unas.
sisted, t. possess himself of the elementary
Di"iAShNo Vi iNtll anu 10 acquire Sucn i'll
clllty OF expression as to be able to put his
thoughts in type without the aid of writing.
and the EXPERIENCES in printing which made
him principal manager of business extended
under his supervision.
Alter eleven years apprenticeship and en-
ployment with Mr.. Fowle, he went to Nova
Scotia, entering the office of Mr. Henry, pro-
prletor OF the Halifax Gazette, the government
paper where the willing assistant was allowed
to assume the management. 1t was the period
of the Stamp Act, and the Boston boy brought
with him the spirit kindled in his birthplace
The appearance of an article in opposition to
the obnoxious measure, which reused the
colonies TO resistance, was followed by
citation before the authorities and Hen
ry escaped punishment only on the ground
that the paragraph was inserted by his jour
ney-man without his knowledge. On repet-
ton of the offence, the young man himself was
called before the Secretary of the Province
and received reprimand, and threats, alike in
etfectual. Not long after, a years stock of
paper arrived from England, stamped accord
ing to the act. By night, the brand of oppres-
sion was cnt from the sheets, the effigy OF the
commissioner appointed to collect the import
was found suspended from the gallows. and
the very correct opinion prevailed that Mr..
Thomas was principal in these and other acts
OF defiance of government The Sheriff sent
to mtimidate the young printer by threats or
eXtorung confessions, was met with so much
f1rmness and intrepidity, that the fruitess
mission was abandoned. The Philadelphia
Journal arrived, dressed in mourning, decorat-
ed with deaths heads, crossed bones and other
emblems of mortality, and announcing its
own decease by complaint called the Stamp
Act To initiate this patriotic Typography re-
CURED no little boldness, but it was done by
Mr.. Thomas with equal courage and adroit-
ness, in an issue of the Halifax Gazette, before
he was eighteen years old
He returned to this city In July, 1867, and in
March, III, issued the Massachusetts Spy,
the influence of which was felt and feared by
the royalists, and they endeavored to avert
the danger OF free press. Overtures to the
editor with promises Of honors, office, patron
age and reward, on espousing sthe cause of
government, were rejected, and threats of
vengeance for resistance disregarded. A man
too independent to be bought by gain or con-
trolled by power, must be crushed and so a
sudden and stern demand was made for the
debt contracted for the purchase OF the es-
Enlistment; but by aid of friends the sum
was discharged, and the attempt defeated to
ruin by pecuniary pressure. A bold es-
say, written by Josiah Greenleaf, (sign-
ed Mucius Sc@yola,) afforded pretext Tor
fresh persecution, and Mr.. Thomas was
summoned to appear before the Governor and
Council. Obedience TO the executive man
date, three times repeated, was as often fear
lessly refused, and Gov. Hutchinson was too
good lawyer to issue process for compusion
where no authority existed for execution !;
then followed prosecution for libel. Indict-
ment and information, though pushed forward
by the united efforts of the officers of the
nike failed and -,
way, vindicating the liberty of the press, and
of the citizen against ministerial lsurpation
Renewed attempts at coercion only served to
call forth testimonials of the ardent interest
felt by the leading men of the times for the
welfare of the establishment, and pledges of
protection and defence. Such a course rem
dered HIM obnoxious to the administration :;
his printing house received the name of "sedi-
ton factory and threats of personal violence
were frequent in the mouths Of the soldiery.
The British, at an early day, set price upon
the heads of John Hancock and Samuel
Adams, for the bold and decided stand they
had uniformly taken against their government
from the massacre of March 5, ITO. They
then added ten more to the number of those
who were to be summarily exccuted-Uhen
taken. Among these was Isaiah Thomas.
Not one of this patriotic band OF twelve ever
fell into their hands, and Mr.. I. pursued the
even tenor OF his way, regardless of the means
made use of to ensnare him.
lie subsequently removed his paper to
Worcester, where tits still continued, and upon
the movement of the British troops for an
expedition into the country being discovered
he was active i'll spreading the alarm, and at
daybreak OF the memorable 18th of April, Join
ed the militia in arms against the regulars.
Laying aside the musket after the fight, to put
in action more powerful engine OF freedom,
oturned to Worcester. He was a pungent
~ z, possessing strong and clear style,
van the most biting sarcasm, and his small
weekly sheet was always well filled with mat
ter calculated to confirm the patriotic in their
course.
In l716, he went to Salem, and it was while
upon visit to Worcester, as the express was
on its way from Philadelphia to Boston with
the Declaration of independence, that the
messenger stopped, when it was read by MIR.
Thomas, for the first time, to the citizens of
Worcester, on the l4th of July, 1875, from the
porch of the Old South Church, where it was
received with every demonstration of 10y and
gadness.
In 1902 he retired to the enjoyment of for.
shonorably won and literally used He
I. '.s,e =lsre-as MANY glitter.
ing to- SAFES SD bills 6o@, ait uled in 1881 at
the age9 ESQ.,
In the language of Mr.. Lincoln, to whose
History OF Worcester we are mainly indebted
for this sketch, his reputation as patriot will
rest on the manly independence which gave
through the progress of the Revolution the
strong influence of the press he directed to the
cause OF freedom, when royal fattery and ia.
vor would have seduced and the power of gov
eminent subdued its action; as an antiquarian
on the minuteness and fidelity. of research in
the history of printing; as a philanthropist.
on the foundation and support of great ma.
uonal society, whose usefulness, with the
blessing OF Providence, will increase through
distant centuries.
Tho pnmnoeino s.;a,