The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-04-16
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY. APRIL 10,
NOTES Of THE WEEK.

A NEWSPAPER OF THE PAsT.-Recently a resident
for some years on these islands returned to his native
State of Wisconsin, and in looking over the family
archives discovered an old newspaper, the Ulster
County IN. Y.,) Gazette, bearing date Jan. 4, 1900.
This he sent out to his family here, as a curiosity,
writing in pencil on the margin" Let the CONNER
CIAL ADVERTISER have this, to make a note of, but
be sure and get it back, for it is a family heirloom,
committed to me by my aged mother" So it was sent
to us. On examination, it is pronounced by some to
be-not q forgery-buta facsimile copy ofthe original.
Even if that is the case, the imitation of types, paper
and ink in use 20 years ago, is remarkably well done,
and the matter contained is interesting in q historical
point of view. John Adams was then President of the
United States, and a large space of the paper is taken
up with the proceedings of " American Congress-"
the latest dates from Washington being to December
20, from London October 2O,-considered no doubt,
in those days, as remarkable dispatch. The inner
pages of the paper before US are dressed in mourning
for the death Of Washington which occurred Dec.
IA, 1893, at the age of 68. Quite an extended account
is given of the eulogies pronounced in Congress on
the character of the deceased patriot, and President
Adams answers to each House, all couched in the
courtly style of composition characteristic of the
times. There is also a letter from George Town.,
dated Dec. 20, which opens huston Wednesday
III OIl DdII vi TIC NTSdI-Ile
Father of his Country and the Friend of man, was
consigned to the tomb, with solemn honors and fun
eral pomp.'' The account of the funeral concludes
thus The sun was now setting. Alas the SON OF
GLORY was set forever. No-the name of WASHING
TON the American President and General-will
triumph over Death The unclouded brightness of
his glory will illuminate the future ages J" These
extracts show the estimation in which Washington
was held by the men of his own time. The adver-
tisements in this ancient journal are sufficiently
quaint, and some are witty. Here is one, which in
its style and sentiment might be used as a model in
these days. Luther Andrews s. Co, have this day,
been opening goods both fresh and gay he has
received near every kind, that you in any store can
find. And as 1 purchase by the bale, L am determined
to retail for READY PAY a little lower than ever have
been had before. l with my brethren mean to live
but as for credit, shall not give. You always find me
by my sign, a few rods from the house divine" He
winds up this original advertisement by an N. B. to
the effect that wheat, rye, ~buck-wheat, oats, corn.
butter, fax, ashes and raw hides, will be received in
payment of goods. but naively adds that cash will
not be refused. There was evidently some litigation
in those days, for Peter Ten Brock, Sheriff of Ulster
county, has over a column of advertisements of sales
under execution and by virtue of writs feri facias."
Altogether this Ulster County Gazette, even if it is
a modern made copy of the original, is quite a Curl
osity, and worth preserving. A copy of tO-day's
Commercial will be valuable in 1910.
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