New-York tribune., 1896-01-14

Hldeburn was a pamphlet. without printer
name or place. entitled New Englands spirit
Of Persecution Transmitted to Pennsylvania
If this was published in Philadelphia II may
have had something to do with his imprisoh-
ment; If 1t was issued in New-York 1t was n
return for pact favors in Philadelphia. He did
not drop the Quaker controversy at once Tor
in 1894 he published boOk-the first book ever
printed in New-York-by Keith. entitled Truth
Advanced" Before this he had printed several
broadsides and pamphlets. including "A Journal
Of the Late Actions Of the French the thing
upon which Governor Fletcher was most in
tent. and almanac by "Daniel Leeds, Philo-
mat"-the beginning OF series which has in
creased by geometrical progression to the pres
ent day In 1896 he varied his routine of official
work by printing a work In French required by
the VOW Of Mr. Pintard a book of religious
consolations
The next year. not satisfied with what he
had done in PENNSYLVANIA he raped Massachu-
setts over the knuckles with a tract the intent
of which was not disguised by misprnt in TN"
title New England Pesecutors Mauled WITH
Their own Weapons" In 170S he printed the
first book In Dutch known to American
topographic annals a religious treatise by the
Rev Justus Falckner; in l11O. THE BOOK or
Common Prayer" and in 17l5. prayer-book
In the language Of the Mohawk Indians. 1hus,
In twenty years he fairly outlined the linguistic
and religious possibilities Of the publishing trade
in the youthful colony OF NewIork. Ten years
later he started a newspaper, but he left the
first libel suit to his successor. John Peter
Zenger a steady minded German. who became
a hero In spite of himself. Zenger was ignorant
Of good English and of good printing. and per-
haps that was just the reason why he agreed
Il
termined to criticise the Governor and the Coun.
ell of the Colony. Copies Of his newspaper Were
burned by the common hangman. and he spent
almost three months in prison, but was acquit-
ted by jury that dened the court in behalf
Of "the cause of American liberty
The first novel published in NewYork appears
to have been Richardson's Pamela" reprinted
by James Parker in 1744. The first book of sclen
tfc speculation was Coden's "ENplication If the
First Causes Of Action IN Matter" published by
the same printer in l745. Parker was also the
first to print book of music from type in Amer
ica the work being Francis Hopkinson's arrange
ment of the English translation Of the Psalms for
the Dutch Church in 1867 The first book Of
prayer for Jewish service printed in America.
land perhaps the first printed in the English
language" was published by William Weyman
In 176l. The first book in English on courts
martial the author OF which was Lieutenant
Adye. OF the Royal Artillery. was printed In 1863
by Hugh Gaine. who has another title to fame as
the first to print American edition Of ROBIN
son Crusoe." But the mention Of these gives no
idea Of the way IN which before the Revolution
publishers and printers developed a business THAI
had been in existence less than century. No
body would be more surprised, probably than
those ancient printers = learn the fabulous prices
at which specimens Of their work sell at the
present day.