Banner: Engine of Immortality: Canadian Newspapers from 1752 until Today

The Halifax Gazette Project, prepared by Chris Rogers

Part 1: Placing The Halifax gazette in its context

The Halifax gazette, No. 1, (Mar. 23, 1752) [sic.]--[See note 4, Part 3]

The first known issue of a newspaper to be published in what became Canada contains many interesting pieces of incidental information from the time. This article is divided into three parts:
(Part 1) an introduction, Placing The Halifax Gazette in its context, is meant to briefly outline Halifax's place in history at the time the first issue of the newspaper was published, from the point of view of general historical events of the period;
(Part 2) is an actual transcription of the first issue, to which have been added explanatory footnotes of the events described;
and (Part 3) constitutes explanatory notes to the text.

(Part 1)

Placing The Halifax gazette in its context.

It should be remembered that early newspapers did not benefit from either telegraph (a word formulated around 1792 in France for an optical-relay semaphore system later used in its more recent context), Bélino (named after Edouard Bélin, 1907 and used in the National Library into the 1980s before more current use of Fax machines, or email!).

News in 1752 took many months to arrive, especially to places not on the most direct trade routes, of which Halifax was not prominent at that time.

It should be remembered that the French garrisoned parts of what are the Naval Dockyards in what is now Halifax, until 1746 (1).

The 'Seven Years' War' between France and Great Britain did not begin until later and the shameful deportation of the Acadians had not yet begun (2). Nova Scotia was not a complete entity until towards the end of the century, with the absorption of Île-Royale (Cap Breton) into it.

In 1752, the French still held the Fortress of Louisbourg and the settlements on Île-Royale (3). While the British conquest of all of British North America except for the small islands of St-Pierre and Miquelon (held to this day by France), was only finalized by treaty in 1763, it should also be remembered that was not until 1783 that the United States became independent. Responsible government in Upper and Lower Canada (Ontario and Quebec) did not begin until the 1840s, and Confederation did not materialize until 1867, and, after all, was only made 'complete' with the accession of Newfoundland and Labrador to Canada under the Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada, in 1949, signed by the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom and Newfoundland.

In Halifax in 1752, slavery was still in existence, as advertisements in later issues of The Halifax gazette demonstrate.

As admitted on p. 1 of the newspaper, after the introductory note of John Bushell, the first publisher/editor of the Halifax Gazette, his sources by his own admission are:

By the last Paper &tc. From London, by Way of Boston, we have the following intelligence, viz...

…Also, under the headers "Foreign advices", and, "From the British prints", etc. he dates the entries, mostly from earlier in that year!

This means that not only was the news reported out of date when Mr. John Bushell received it, but that even at the time, for it was for the most part from secondary sources, such as other newspapers. What was to be later known as a "Packet" (3) or what we might call today a 'mail ship' would arrive months after the fact at the much larger port of Boston (or to Montréal or Québec City) -possibly with detours on the way. Even the latest news from Europe, or Britain was well out of date before anyone could read it in His Majesty's British North American colonies.

A further complication lies in difficulties over dates because of a reform of the calendar; agricultural, naval and technological advances having made reform of the calendar in parts of Great Britain necessary, to follow most of the rest of the world at that time. (see under Part 3, Note 4 on the calendar).

Since there was a certain amount of trade between Boston and what was to become Canada's Atlantic provinces, mostly concerning cod fish, other fish, and lumber, it is not unnatural that there would have been contact between ports such as Halifax, St. John's and Boston; Halifax was of strategic importance to the British, who were in fact to maintain a garrison in the city until 1906(2). The Fortress or Citadel of Halifax remains today, having been constructed 1749-1750, 1776-1781, 1795-1800, was re-designed in the 1820s and was only completed 1855-1856; it is now a National Historic Site operated by Parks Canada. It presently commands a beautiful view of the downtown area, although the old port area of the harbour has been obscured by newer buildings; one is still able to view some of the Naval Dockyards (established in the mid-18th century and worked on presently, with modern improvements to what is now called the Historic Properties). There remain several of the strategic emplacements upon George's and McNab's islands near the mouth of the port, which have remained in use to this day, especially in the post-September 11, 2001 environment. Halifax, St. John's and Boston being at the time or shortly thereafter to become ports of military or trade importance to the British Empire, it is logical that The Halifax gazette would report on a wide variety of news from overseas. What is surprising is the lack of local news in this, the first issue of the Gazette.

Halifax was itself named after George Montagu Dunk, Earl of Halifax, 1716-1771, but was established in 1749 at Chebucto Bay (also occasionally known as Shebucto) by Sir Edward Cornwallis

(4), who lead a number of Protestant settlers there from a number of parts of Europe, in mid 1749(5) . They were sent to colonize the area in an effort to counter-balance what some then perceived as the ill-advised return of the fortress of Louisbourg to the French after its temporary occupation by Britain in the 1740s. What is now referred to as the Anglican Church (St. Paul's), was established as early as 1750. The Halifax Board of Trade was established also in the same year, as the first of such in North America, and continues to this day as the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce. It held more power, in practical terms, than the colony's governor in its early days, having been given wide discretionary spending ability over moneys granted by the Crown to develop the city. Most merchants were office-holders, and one of them, Joshua Mauger, initiated trade with the West Indies, exporting lumber and fish in exchange for rum, molasses, sugar, etc.(5)

1. See an article under Acadians in the Canadian encyclopedia, and an article at the beginning of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, v. 4, by N. Griffiths, pp. xvii+

2. By the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, France ceded much of Newfoundland and Acadia to Britain. Although Sir Peter Warren compelled the surrender of Louisbourg in the summer of 1745, it was restored to France once more, under treaty in 1748; the fortress was obliged to capitulate again in 1758 when it was also handed back -- but soon after, the fortifications were demolished. Canadian Encyclopedia, 2000 ed.; See under Seven Year's War, Acadians, Halifax, Louisbourg and Nova Scotia.

3. Webster's international dictionary (various eds). A Packet was defined vessel carrying passengers and mail/and or cargo on a scheduled route

4. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, v. 4, entry under Cornwallis

5. Nova Scotia Historical Society, Vol. 8 Collections has an article by T.B. Atkins "The Halifax Board of Trade, an historical sketch, 1748-1908"; see also B. Cuthbertson, Voices of business, a history of commerce in Halifax, 1750-2000, Halifax : Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce, 2000. For a discussion of the lumber trade between Nova Scotia and elsewhere both with British North America and England, see Trider, William Douglas, 1930- History of Dartmouth and Halifax Harbour, 1415-1800, v. 1, [Dartmouth, N.S.] : D. Trider, 1999.

Part 2: The Halifax gazette: Transcription of text for No. 1, (Mar. 23, 1752) [sic.]

--[See note 4, Part 3]

The first known issue of a newspaper to be published in what became Canada contains many interesting pieces of incidental information from the time. This article is divided into three parts: (Part 1) an introduction, Placing The Halifax Gazette in its context, is meant to briefly outline Halifax's place in history at the time the first issue of the newspaper was published, from the point of view of general historical events of the period; (Part 2) is an actual transcription of the first issue, to which have been added explanatory footnotes of the events described; and (Part 3) constitutes explanatory notes to the text.

Halifax gazette transcription P. 1 [At head of title] N O V A S C O T I A. No. 1. T H E (a) Halifax G A Z E T T E. [See Part 3, note 4 for date] M O N D A Y, March 23. 1 7 5 2

[The title is flanked by two simple engravings (possibly etched in wood carving); on the left is a simplified version of a Sloop or a small Man-of-War, since there appears to be only one deck of gun ports; it may be flying the Royal pennant [See Part 3, note 14 for ships]; on the right is an armed soldier, possibly on the Dartmouth side, looking towards Halifax.

The text is divided into 2 columns on each of the 1st and 2nd page.]

[Left column P.1]

As many of the Subscribers to the Proposals for publishing of this PAPER, may be desirous of knowing the Cause why it hath been so long delayed; the Printer begs Leave to inform them, That the Gentleman who is possess'd of the orig[inal] Subscriptions, whenever desired, will give them a satisfactory Account. And as the Letter-Press is now commodiously fixed for the Printing Business, all such Gentlemen, Merchants, and others, as may have Occasion for any Thing in that Way, may depend upon being served in a reasonable and expeditious Manner by their Most Obedient, Humble Servant, John Bushell. [1]

By the last papers &c. from London, by the Way of Boston, we have the following Intelligence, viz.

Foreign advices

ROME, Sept. 24.

A Few Days ago, as the Pope was going in his Coach to the Quirinal, an ordinary man kneeled in the street upon his Knees as if he wanted to receive a Blessing from him, which he was going to give, the Man threw a Stone at his Holiness's Head, which narrowly missed : He proved to be a Madman lately escaped from the Hospital for Lunaticks, to which Place he was remanded, with strict Orders to the Officers, to take more Care for the future of the unhappy People committed to their Charge. [2]

Venice, Octo. 7. They write from Constantinople, That the Inhabitants who retired into the Country to avoid the Plague, are far from being secure, as the Air is infected for twenty Leagues round. [3]

[Left column P.1-continued]

FROM THE BRITISH PRINTS.

LONDON, Sept. 18.

This Day came on the Election for Lord Mayor of this City, when Thomas Winterbottom, Esq; Alderman of Bilingsgate Ward was elected for the Year ensuing. At the same Time, Slingsby Bethel and Marsh Di[c]kenson, Esqrs; were chosen into the Office of Sheriffs for the Year ensuing.

On the 13th of May last, an Act passed for regulating the Commencement of the Year and for correcting the Kalendar now in Use ; to extend throughout all his Majesty's Dominions. [The Particulars of which will be published in our next.] [4]

On the 14th of June, two Bills passed the Hon. House of Commons, which have since obtain'd the Royal Assent, viz. One for continuing the Bounty on the Importation of Masts, Tar, &c. The other for encouraging the making of Potashes and Perlashes in America. And on the 25th of the same Month, his Majesty closed his most gracious Speech to bothHouses of Parliament, as follows, viz. [5]

"My Lords and gentlemen, I Have nothing to desire of you, but effectually to consult your own true Interest and Happiness. Let it be your Care to maintain in your several Countries, the publick Peace and good Order ; to encourage and promote a just Reverence for Government and Law, and not to suffer those good Laws, which are enacted here, to loose their Effect for want of a due Execution."

His Majesty has been pleased to require and command, that all Vessels arriving from the Levant should perform Quarantine. [6]

November 2. We hear that a Report has been sent up by his Majesty's Officers at Portsmouth, to the Hon. The Commissioners of the Navy, and by them to the Lords of the Admiralty, of the Success of the Experiment made by Mr. George Bridges, on several Pieces of Planks, to prevent Worms eating Holes in Ships Bottoms ; The Advantages that will accrue to his Majesty's Dominions, are many : First, it will save the Expence of Sheathing, and cause the [end of Left column P.1]

[Right Column P.1]

[…..]S[h]ip to last twice as long. Secondly Will save Numbers of Seamen, a[s] well as preserve the Cargoes. Thirdly, All such Ships, that make u[s]e of it, require but little Ballast, so consequently, will hold more S[to]wage. Fourthly, The Ship will answer the Helm much better, and sail faster by some Knots in an Hour, &c. &c. &c. [7]

Nov. 13. Last Saturday Night died, in the 78th Year of his Age, that great Mechanic Mr. George Graham, F.R.S. Watchmaker in Fleet street, who may truly be said to have been the Father of the Trade, not only with Regard to the Perfection to which he brought Clocks and Watches, but for his great Encouragement to all Artificers employ'd under him, by keeping up the Spirit or Emulation among them. [8]

Nov. 19. Last Week happened a very melancholy Accident, which, we hear, is as follows, viz. Mr. Dubuy, Confectioner to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in Norris street, in the Hay Market, being on Friday Evening at a Tavern near Pall-Mall, with an eminent Chymist, who was his intimate Friend and Neighbour, of a sudden complained of a violent Pain in his Side, which he frequently labour'd under ; his friend endeavoured to perswade him, that he would soon get the better of it, if he would go immediately to Bed, and take in the Morning a Dose of Physick that he would send him for that Purpose, accordingly the Draught had it's desired Effect ; and on Saturday Morning about Eight o'Clock, he was seemingly quite recovered, and at his own Door. His Friend who was glad to find him so much better when he came in the Morning, thought it adviseable to order him a second Dose, which one of his Servants being left to prepare, (and at the same Time several Chests of Medicines being packing [sic.] in the Shop for Exportation) by some unhappy Means, a Phial, containing a Liquid of a poisonous Nature , was sent instead ; which, on the Patient's swallowing, he was immediately taken Speechless, and in two Hours after died in great Agony, to the inexpressible Grief of all who knew him. [9]
Nov. 19. A few Days ago as some Workmen were digging up a Terrace at Sion House, the Seat of the Right Hon. The Earl of Northumberland, about ten Feet from the Surface under the Walls, they found twenty-seven human Skulls, one of them of a most enormous Size , with the Teeth all fix'd and found in the Jaws of them all ; and seven barrels fill'd with humane [sic.] Bones ; which are supposed to have been there some Ages. [10]

Nov. 30. On Thursday Night, about Ten o'Clock, as a Gentleman, who had been drinking pretty freely with some Friends, was going thro' Holborn, and seeing a Mob, his Curiosity led him to enquire into the Cause of it, which he unfortunately mistook to be a Treatment too severely inflicted by them upon an Apprentice, for using too much Liberty with his Tongue. The Gentleman taking Compassion of the young Man, very officiously interposed his Endeavours to appease the exasperated Mob, and to rescue the Offender, which at length; by pressing Instances and molifying Speeches, he accomplished ; and it had [sic.] been lucky for him if his Generosity had ended there ; but not contented with having rescued him, he afterwards took him to a publick House to refresh him, where being in a private Room, and before a great Fire, the Gentleman fell asleep[.] In the mean Time, the supposed Apprentice pick'd his Pocket of Eighteen Shillings, and three new Silk Hanckerchiefs, stripp'd him of his Hat and Cane, and made clearly off. ---As this ungrateful Behaviour verifies the old Proverb, Save a thief from the Gallows, and he'll cut your Throat, it is hoped it will be a Warning to Gentlemen, not to thrust themselves rashly into Mobs, where, though their Purses escape, they seldom come off without some Damage.

Dec. 31. According to private Advices from Paris, the Commissaries that have been so long conferring together in that City, about a new Regulation of Limits in America, have already made so surprising a Progress, that the Publick in general begin to be perswaded the Affair will ere long be brought to a happy tho' not a surprising Conclusion. [11]

Jan. 1. Yesterday was held a Board of Trade [meeting-chr], when James Oswald, Esq. Took his Seat accordingly ; at the same Time the several Dispatches brought by Commodore Pye and Capt. Hutchinson concerning Nova Scotia were laid before them.

The same Day --- [Edward--chr] Cornwallis, Esq; was appointed an Agent for that Colony. [12]

[Right Column P.1-continued]

Jan. 2. They write from Copenhagen, That on the Occasion of the Death of the Queen of Denmark, his Danish Majesty has iss[u]ed an Edict, forbidding for a whole Year all Plays, Balls, Operas, Concertos, &c. ---Heavens preserve us from such Mourning, which would send at least one half of our gay, polite Gentry to the Grave! [13]

….Jan. [End of Right column P.1]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.2 [Left column P.2]

Jan. 3. The Asfanish [Ashanish?-chr] a Spanish Man or War, commanded by Commodore Stuart, has taken an Algerine of 50 guns off Cape St. Vincent. There were two Algerine Vessels in Company, but one escaped. She that was taken had 600 men on board before the Engagement, and she sunk soon after she was taken ; but about 300 of the Crew were taken up by the Spanish Man of War : Among them is one Israel, who was first Lieutnant of the Algerine Ship ; and during the late War, was Captain of an English Privateer. The major Part of the rest of the Crew that were saved, were Scotch [sic.] and Irish. [14] His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland has been dangerously ill for some Time but is since so far recover'd that 'tis hoped he is quite out of Danger. [15]

Bristol, October 5. A very melancholy Misfortune has lately befel a young married Lady of a good Family in Wiltshire : An Officer of the Army having been quartered in a Town near Bradford, the said young Lady, who was Daughter to one of the wealthiest Cloathiers in that Country fell in Love with him, and a Marriage was consummated between them without the Privity or Consent of her Father. The Officer, who, it seems, is a Gentleman of a reputable family, soon after sold his Commission for 1500 l [pounds-chr], and having some other Income, he retired with his Lady, into Hampshire, waiting the Event from the Lady's Father, as to an Increase to his Fortune. It happened that the Officer had imbibed some little Resentment against his Wife on a trifling Affair, of her staying too long before he came to Dinner, which waited for her on the Table ; and he reproved her for it in a Manner somewhat too warm, she so highly resented his Rebuke, that she immediately ran up Stairs, and soon returned with a Glass of Liquid Laudanum in her Hand, and drank it off in the Presence of her Husband, with these Words ; Duty and obedience! And this shall end all Disputes! and died soon after, though all the skilful Applications that possibly could be tho't of were used to preserve her Life.

PLANTATION NEWS

Charlestown, South Carolina, Feb. 1. Yesterday arrived here, Capt. Davis in 16 days from Jamaica, who informed us, That two Spanish Guarda Costa's (which have constantly cruised, for some Time past, in the Windward Passage, between the Capes Maize and Nichola) have lately, among many other Vessels, taken a Sloop belonging to New York, bound from Jamaica for this Port, whereof one Laurens was Master, because, upon Search, they found a Quantity of Dollars on board. Our Informant's Sloop was also search'd by these Spaniards, but no Dollars being found in her, they dismiss'd his Vessel----- [16]

Feb. 8. The Sloop from Jamaica for this Port, said (in our last) to have been taken by the Spaniards in the Windward Passage, was the Diamond, Capt. Nathaniel Laurens, and had upwards of 6000 Dollars on board for this Place. 'Tis asserted that the Spanish Guarda Costa's have Orders to seize every English Vessel that has to the Value of Ten Dollars in Spanish Coin on board :-----

Upon Complaint being made, 'tis possible, we shall be told these were pirates [and not Privateers-chr] [17]

New York, Feb. 17. The Sloop Dolphin, Thomas Swan Master, of Boston, from the Bay, but last from South Carolina, was cast away in a Storm the latter end of December last, on Barnagat, and all the Men froze to Death, except one.

[Left column P.2-continued]

BOSTON

March 5. By Capt. Potts from Charlestown in South-Carolina, we are informed, that on the 13th of February past, the John Galley of this Place, arrived there from the Bay of Honduras, the Commander of which (Capt. Newgar) gave an Account, that the Spanish, with 5 or 6 armed Vessels, had made them a Visit, and that upon their Approach, all the English Vessels of Force drew up in a Line, and play'd so warmly on the Dons, that they soon retired ; and that the English a few Days after, being upwards of 30 Sail, all left the Bay, many of them not half loaded.

March 6. Last Saturday as Mr. Benjamin Mirick of Charlestown, were digging up a Clay-Pit there, the Earth above gave Way, and came upon him with so much Force, that it kill'd him immediately.

Custom-House, BOSTON, March 4.

Entered In, Davis from Halifax, Potts from South-Carolina, Brown from Anguilla, and Mulberry from Bilboa. Entered out, Swain for Halifax, Arbuckle for Nova-Scotia, Higgins for Connecticut, Ingraham for Philadelphia, Holland for Maryland, Dole for Cape Feare, and Waldo for Jamaica. Cleared out, West for Rhode-Island, Sears for Connecticut, Mc'Neil for Annapolis Royal, Fadre for New York, Dolliver, Ottis, and Pote for Philadelphia, Morton for North-Carolina, and Wilson for Corke.

HALIFAX

By our last Advices from Chignecto, the Commandant of his Majesty's Forces, Capt. Collier, of Lascelles's Regiment, died there the Beginning of the Month. [18] [End of Left column P.2]

[Right Column P.2]

We have also an Account from thence of the Death of Mons. Le Jonquier, late Intendant General of New France, in an advanced age, at Quebec. He was reputed an experienced Sea-Officer, and was an Admiral commanding the French Fleet, taken by Lord Anson and Sir Peter Warren in 1747. and remained some Time a Prisoner in England. [19]

The last Advices from London , via Boston, being the melancholy Account of the Death of the Queen of Denmark, youngest Daughter to his present Majesty King GEORGE, upon the 8th of December last, universally lamented. [20]

We have Advise also that JOHN GOREHAM, Esq; one of his Majesty's Council for this Province, and Captain of a Company of Rangers, died of the Small Pox in London, sometime in December last. [21]

This distemper which has not only proved fatal to many North Americans in London, but has been more malignant in these Colonies than in other Parts of the World, is now in Boston and New York ; and it is the general Desire of the Inhabitants here, that the greatest Caution may be used by all such Merchants and Masters of Vessels as correspond there, not to suffer any infected Persons or Goods to be brought into this Province.

The rigour of the Season is considerably abated since the Beginning of this Month ; but the scarcity of all Sorts if fresh Provisions is so much increased, that several working Cattle have been lately kill'd, and the Beef sold at 5d and 6d per Pound.

The Winter has past has proved the severest, and the Frost the most intense that hath ever been known to the oldest Inhabitants in the Province : Notwithstanding which we have the Pleasure of assuring the Public, that this Harbour hath not been froze [sic.] up , or encumbred so much with Ice, as to interrupt it's Navigation.[22]

Upon the 3d of this Month the Inferiour Court of Common Pleas for this Province was opened, and held there by a new Commission, wherein CHARLES MORRIS, Esq; is appointed first Justice.

[Right column P.2--continued]

Upon the 8th of this Month, the Town Clerk of Boston certified in the publick Prints, that the Small Pox was in three Houses only, excepting the Pest-House.

Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Boston to his Correspondent in this Place, dated March 9th 1752.

"Since I wrote the Inclosed, came in Capt. Smith, in nine weeks from London, and seven from the Downs, who brings us but little News ; only that the Earl of Halifax is Secretary of State for the Plantations, --That the Grant is not yet made, but we expect it after the Holidays. -That Lord Bollinbrook is dead; --also that the Line was not settled, but Mr. Shirley was expected very soon in Town, and to embark for this Place ; so that we expect it will be settled before he leaves France."

Advertisements

All sorts of bills, bills of sale, Bills of Lading, Bonds, Charter-Parties, Covenants, Deeds of Sale, Deeds of Mortgage, Indentures, Leases, Releases, Wills, Warrants of Attorney, WRITS and PROCESSES returnable to any of his Majesty's Courts, are drawn at the Corner of Sackville- Street by the Beach, where constant Attendance is given from Nine to Twelve o'Clock in the Forenoon, and from Three to Seven in the Afternoon daily, Sundays excepted. [23]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At the Sign of the Hand and Pen, Near the South End of Granville Street are carefully taught.[,] By Leigh and Wragg, Spelling, Reading, Writing in all its dif- ferent Hands ; Arithmatic, in all it's Parts ; Merchants Ac- compts, or, the true Italian Method of Book-keeping in a new and concise manner : Likewise all Parts of the Mathematics. And, for the Conveniency of grown Persons improving their Learning, any of the above Arts and Sciences will be taught Two Hours every Even- ing, to begin at 6 o'Clock.

N.B. The above Leigh draws, ingrosses, and transcribes Wri- tings of all Kinds and adjusteth Accompts if ever so difficult, and will keep them in a methodical Manner by the Year. SOLD at the above Place, Quills, Pens, Ink, Writing-Paper, Writing and Spelling-books, and slate pencils. [24]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO BE SOLD,

by Proctor and Scutt,

At their Store near the North Gate, cheap for ready Cash, Choice Butter, by the Firkin, or smaller Quantity. [25]
[Below both columns, P. 2]

HALIFax: Printed by JOHN BUSHELL, at the Printing-Office in Grafton Street, where Advertise-ments are taken in, 1752.

Part 3 Notes on the text of the first issue of The Halifax gazette

(a) Upon this copy is written "Yourself" in cursive script by hand, in ink, leading one to suggest that this may have been a copy which belonged to John Bushell himself, or to an assistant, Anthony Henry.
1. For the origins of John Bushell, see the article by Steven Kimber(1) and another on the National Library website(2) ; there is also a fictitious work(3) , James, Janet Craig; Jeremy Gates and the magic key(3). Instead of John Bushell, it was his former (senior) partner, Bartholomew Green, who set out in August 1751 at the age of 50 to begin a new newspaper in Halifax. Having died soon after reaching Nova Scotia, it was left to the 36 year-old John Bushell to start the paper. He moved to Halifax in January 1752.

Can we even believe that this newspaper was published in early 1752?; there was a lot of confusion about dates and the calendar in 1752 because of the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar (See also note 4).
The first presses of The Halifax gazette were situated on Grafton St., north of Duke St. (both of which streets still exist). John Bushell continued in business until roughly 1760, when an assistant then partner, Anthony Henry took over (formally in 1761 following John Bushell's death in January). The numbering of the newspaper was then re-started with a new series, and the paper, having doubled its size, moved its premises to Sackville St. (The corner of Sackville and Grafton streets is, as of July 2002, in a mess with most of the buildings having been demolished, and the Chronicle Herald newspaper offices being at present situated closer to the harbour.)

In 1765/66, Mr. Henry got into trouble for printing an article about the Stamp Act without government sanction, and he was held accountable for "sedition" because The Halifax gazette was also the vehicle through which the Governor printed proclamations, and the article had not been pre-authorised. Two other problems presented themselves, the most serious being that of using paper 'unstamped' (i.e. which implied that the duties had not been paid). One Robert Fletcher was brought from London to take over the paper in 1766, whereupon he changed its name to The Nova Scotia gazette and Anthony Henry began his The weekly chronicle. In 1770, unable to make a go of it, Fletcher handed the paper back to Henry who incorporated it into his own, as The Nova Scotia Gazette and weekly chronicle(4).

The Halifax gazette survives as the official publication of the government of the Province of Nova Scotia, The Royal Gazette, Pt. 1, (which is Amicus record no. 14144667)

1. Stephen Kimber; Bulletin (National Library of Canada); Ottawa : The National Library, v. 34, no. 2 (Mar./Apr. 2002)

2.

Canadian Newspapers Celebrate 250 Years

3.Janet Craig James; Jeremy Gates and the magic key : being the fictionalised account of how printing was brought to the new colony of Nova Scotia in 1752 by John Bushell and his daughter, Elizabeth, who were at that time printers of the Boston newsletter; Moonbeam, Ont. : Penumbra Press, 1986.

4.

For much of this paragraph, see The Oldest Newspaper in Canada

2. (Sept. 24) The paragraph refers to a stoning of the Pope. His Holiness Pope Benedict XIV held his Pontificate from 1740-1758. He was the author of many of works and much of his correspondence has survived. As early as 1708, he was appointed "Promoter of the Faith", for which he was in charge of all canonizations made until 1727, of which there is his work De Servorum Dei beatificatione et beatorum canonizatione, which is still used as a source to this day by the Holy See. In 1728, he was made a Cardinal. As Pope, Benedict XIV had to contend with various powers who sent armies into the Papal States during the War of Austrian Succession . Concordats or agreements were signed between the Pope and the kings of Savoy and Naples in 1741, and again, with Spain after protracted negotiations in 1753(1).

These Concordats were very controversial at the time, which caused unrest in the Papal States.

1. New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967; See under List of Popes, Benedict XIV, Pope.

3.&6. (Oct. 7 and Nov. 2) These paragraphs both refer to the "Plague" affecting the Near East. The bacteria Yersinia pestis is responsible for both the bubonic and pneumonic forms of the disease. Istanbul, then known as Constantinople was the scene of many outbreaks owing to its large sea-port open to trade to and from the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. After the 1720s, the plague was by and large confined to Egypt, Arabia and Syria, under the Ottoman Empire, with sporadic outbreaks elsewhere(1). Quarantine laws were established periodically, for although the exact method of transmission of the disease was not understood until later on, some of the circumstances of disease transmission were. The word itself comes from Quarantina, the forty-day period of quarantine used in Venice; gradually the time-period of quarantine lost its importance, but the word has remained in use to the present day.

1. Grand dictionnaire encyclopédique, Larousse, 1982; see under Peste.

2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (various eds); see under Quarantine

4. (13th of May last), the reference to other dates, especially the date following the title:

Monday Mar. 23, 1752

March 23, 1752 was in fact a Thursday!

At the time of this publication, the Julian Calendar was in use in England and some of her dependencies. In September 1752, the Gregorian calendar, the one in use today, was adopted. This means that the correct date should be read as April 3th 1752(1). It should also be noted that under the 'Old style' or Julian calendar, the new year began on March 25, not January 1.

In the Oxford English dictionary, Julian and Gregorian calendars are defined as follows:

Julian Calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar B.C. 46, in which the ordinary year has 365 days, and every fourth year is a leap year of 366 days, the months having the names, order, and length still retained.

Gregorian Calendar, the modification of the preceding adapted to bring it into closer conformity with astronomical data and the natural course of the seasons, and to rectify the error already contracted by its use, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in A.D. 1582, and adopted in all of Great Britain in 1752. See STYLE

STYLE

IV. 27. a. A mode of expressing dates. Chiefly, Either of the two methods of dating that have been current in the Christian world since the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582: viz., the New Style (abbreviated N.S.), which is the result of the Gregorian reform, and the Old Style (O.S.) which follows the unreformed calendar. The New Style is occasionally called the Roman Style, and the Old Style the English Style. In historical dates earlier than 1752, however, Roman Style, as used by modern writers, means only that the year mentioned is to be understood as beginning on 1 Jan. The Julian calendar was based on the assumption that the tropical year consisted of 365 days. In order that the average calendar year should have this length, it was provided that the normal year should contain 365 days, but every fourth year 366 days. Down to A.D. 1582 the Julian calendar continued to be used by all Christian nations. In calendars and almanacs, the year began on 1 Jan. (like the Roman consular year); but for ordinary purposes the time of beginning the year was different in different places; in England, after some fluctuations, the beginning of the legal year was fixed for 25 March. After the adoption of the Christian era, the leap years were those whose number A.D. (reckoned from 1 Jan.) was divisible by 4. The Julian estimate of 365 days for the length of the tropical year was too great by about 11 minutes, an error which amounts to one day in about 128 years. Hence in 1581 the date of 21 March for the vernal equinox, assumed since the early 4th c. in the rule for computing Easter, was 10 days too late. To remedy this inconvenience, and to prevent its recurrence, Pope Gregory XIII, acting on the advice of the Jesuit Clavius and other eminent astronomers, ordained that in A.D. 1582 the day after 4 Oct. should be reckoned as 15 Oct., and that in future the years which had a number ending in two cyphers should not be leap years unless the number were divisible by 400. The Julian date of 1 Jan. for the beginning of the year was retained.

The difference between the old and new calendars continued to be 10 days until 1700 (the first disputed leap-year), when it became 11 days; in 1800 it became 12 days, and in 1900 13 days, from which there will be no further increase till 2100.

The Gregorian calendar (so called from the name of the Pope) was speedily adopted in all Roman Catholic countries, while the other nations of Europe adhered to their traditional reckoning. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was often found necessary to state whether a date was according to Old or New Style, or to give both datings. As the nations which accepted the reform usually began the year on 1 Jan., not, as in England, on 25 Mar., there was for the March quarter (in addition to the other difference) a discrepancy in the number of the year between the Old Style and New Style dates.

In England and Scotland the Gregorian calendar was established by the Act 24 Geo. II. c. 23 (1751), which provided that the year 1752 and all future years should begin on 1 Jan. instead of 25 Mar. (in Scotland this rule had been adopted in 1600), that the day after 2 Sep. 1752 should be reckoned the 14 Sep., and that the reformed rule for leap year should in future be followed. Ireland followed in 1788. The use of New Style is now universal throughout the Christian world with the exception of certain countries of the Greek Church; in Russia it was officially adopted by the revolutionary government in 1918.

1. My own calculation, based on the Oxford English Dictionary on-line www.dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl, under Julian Calendar, Gregorian Calendar, Style.

5. (June 14) George II (1683-1760). His reign was marked by many successes in the expansion of the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, all of the Caribbean and in North America. With the latter, the French in North America, were confined to the islands of St.-Pierre and Miquelon, off southern Newfoundland(1)

Potashes, used for making soap (often referred to as Pot-ash or Pot-ashes at the time, in French, Potasse) The Oxford English dictionary has thus:

The sense-history of potash and its derivatives is involved in the advance of chemical knowledge. The earliest term was pot ashes or pot-ashes = Du.pot-asschen, applied to the crude products. The essential substance of these, when purified from extraneous matters, was spoken of in the singular as pot-ash or potash. In 1756 this was proved by Dr. Joseph Black of Edinburgh to be a compound substance, a carbonate, the removal from which of the carbonic acid left a 'caustic alkali' or 'lye' (really the hydroxide, or caustic potash, KHO), which chemists thereafter generally considered to be the true potash (in Fr. potasse).

In 1807 this, in its turn, was shown by Sir H. Davy to be not a simple substance, but to contain a new metal, of which he believed it to be the oxide. To the metal (K) he gave the name potassium, to the oxide (on the analogy of magnesium and magnesia, sodium and soda, etc.) that of potassa. Next year, Dakeel gave reasons for believing that the latter contained also water, and it was sub-sequently shown to be the hydroxide or hydrate (KHO), the simple oxide being the anhydrous form (K2O). The salts of potassium, in accordance with the chemical theory of the time, were viewed as compounds of the oxide, and variously named carbonate of potassa, of potass, of potash (= potassium carbonate, K2CO3), chlorate of potassa, potass, or potash (= potassium chlorate, KClO3), etc. Commercially 'potash' is still often applied to the carbonate; by chemists usually to the hydroxide or hydrate, caustic potash, KHO, but sometimes to the anhydrous oxide, K2O, and in names of compounds it is still often used instead of 'potassium', as chlorate of potash = potassium or potassic chlorate.

1. An alkaline substance obtained originally by lixiviating or leaching the ashes of terrestrial vegetables and evaporating the solution in large iron pans or pots (whence the name). Chemically, this is a crude form of potassium carbonate (more or less mixed with sulphate, chloride, and empyreumatic substances), but was long thought to be (when freed from impurities) a simple substance. 2. Chem. The hydroxide or hydrate of potassium, KHO; a hard white brittle substance, soluble in water and deliquescent in air, having powerful caustic and alkaline properties; caustic potash(2).

Perlashes, also used for making soap. The Oxford English dictionary defines it as follows:

Pearl-ash The potassium carbonate of commerce, so called from its pearly hue. Orig. only in pl. pearl ashes.

1. The Dictionary of national biography, founded in 1882 … London : Oxford University Press, 1917, 1959/1960 printing; entry under George II

2. dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl Op. cit., see under Potashes

6. Quarantine laws: See note 3.

7. Nov. 2 The first recorded seagoing vessel from New France was the Galiote, built in 1663. In the Seven Years' War, the French fleet on Lake Ontario consisted of 4 vessels, 2 rated as Corsairs (1).

From early days there was a problem of both fouling of the keel and bottom of vessels, and the development of wood rot (in warmer climates) or wood boring worms, the Teredo navalis. As ships became larger, it became less practical to tip them over for cleaning at the low-tide. Early attempts at sheathing were made through the 1750s with copper sheeting, which corroded the iron fastenings used, a problem remedied by the use of brass fittings(2).

1. Canadian Encyclopedia, 2000 ed. Shipbuilding and ships

2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (various eds) Ship

8. (Nov. 13) George Graham, 1673-1751, defined in the BNB as a "Mechanician" was not given his due in The Halifax gazette! Inventor of a number of pieces of technical apparatus, very broadly skilled, he is known as the inventor of a "mercurial pendulum" which dealt only somewhat with the problems of fixed pendulums when disturbed by outside forces (such as being on a ship). He made a mural quadrant at the Greenwich Observatory outside of London for the Edmund Halley, the Astronomer after whom the comet is named(1). Graham is credited with the invention of the 'deadbeat escapement' in 1715, which prevented the recoil of the mechanical clock escape wheel (and hence the minute-hand of a clock) with the additional swing of a pendulum, which is a requirement for precise timepieces(2). He constructed a small planetarium where the movement of the then known celestial bodies could be shown with a high degree of accuracy. He supplied the Académie française with an apparatus used to measure the degree of the meridian at Paris. A member of the Royal Society, he contributed articles to its Philosophical transactions, vols. 31-42. George Graham was also unusual in that he was a member of the 'Religious Society of Friends' (Quakers) rather than being associated with the more 'established' Protestant religion(3).

1. The Dictionary of national biography, founded in 1882 … London : Oxford University Press, 1917, 1959/1960 printing; entry under Halley, Edmund (Edmond) (1656-1742)

2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (various eds) Clocks Watche,s and Sundials
3. Dictionary of national biography, ibid.; entry under Graham George
9. (Nov. 19) Although not able to find anything about this particular event, it is symptomatic of the times! Many concoctions considered 'medicinal' would never be used today and included substances which are poisonous in even small quantities (such as lead or mercury), or dangerously addictive (laudanum - an opium derivative).

10.(Nov. 19) I was not able to find an account of this incident

11.(Dec. 31) Regulation on limits in America: The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748 under which Louisbourg was returned to the French in exchange for Madras in India, necessitated detailed agreements between England and France over the limits of their respective dominions in North America, the Carribean, &tc.

13 & 22. (Jan. 2, Dec. 8) The Queen of Denmark was the youngest daughter of George II.The Dictionary of national biography; entry under George II

14. (Jan. 3) Cape St. Vincent is located off the Island of St. Vincent, of the St. Vincent and grenadine chain of islands north of Grenada. See also under note 16 for details on piracy and privateering

Some ships:

A balinger was a small and light sea-going vessel, apparently a kind of sloop, much used in the 15th and 16th centuries; according to Adm. Smyth, without forecastle. Its nature was already forgotten in 1670, when Blount could only infer the meaning of the word from old statutes; but the term is commonly used by modern historians in referring to the naval affairs of those times. A barge was a small sea-going vessel with sails: used spec. for one next in size above the balinger…the second boat of a man of war; a long narrow boat, generally with not less than ten oars, for the use of the chief officers…

A bark (barque) was a small ship; in earlier times, a general term for all sailing vessels of small size, e.g. fishing-smacks, xebecs, pinnaces; in modern use, applied poetically or rhetorically to any sailing vessel; A sailing vessel of particular rig; in 17th c. sometimes applied to the barca-longa of the Mediterranean; now to a three-masted vessel with fore- and main-masts square-rigged, and mizenmast 'fore-and-aft' rigged: till recent times a comparatively small vessel. A smaller version was known as a barquentine.

A brig (brigantine) was a vessel (a) originally identical with the brigantine (of which word brig was a colloquial abbreviation); but, while the full name has remained with the unchanged brigantine, the shortened name has accompanied the modifications which have subsequently been made in rig, so that a brig is now (b) A vessel with two masts square-rigged like a ship's foreand main-masts, but carrying also on her main-mast a lower fore-and-aft sail with a gaff and boom. A brig differs from a snow in having no try-sail mast, and in lowering her gaff to furl the sail. Merchant snows are often called brigs'. This vessel was probably developed from the brigantine by the men-of-war brigs, so as to obtain greater sail-power.

A coracle was a A small boat made of wickerwork covered with some water-tight material (originally hides or skins), used by the ancient Britons, and still by fishermen on the rivers and lakes of Wales and Ireland.

A cutter is a boat, belonging to a ship of war, shorter and in proportion broader than the barge or pinnace, fitted for rowing and sailing, and used for carrying light stores, passengers, etc.; a small, single-masted vessel, clinker- or carvel-built, furnished with a straight running bowsprit, and rigged much like a sloop, carrying a fore-and-aft main-sail, gaff-top-sail, stay-foresail, and jib; a style of building and rigging now much used in yachts.

A lighter was a boat or vessel, usually a flat-bottomed barge, used in lightening or unloading (sometimes loading) ships that cannot be discharged (or loaded) at a wharf, etc., and for transporting goods of any kind, usually in a harbour

A Man-of-War (Man-o'-War) is defined loosely as A vessel equipped for warfare; an armed ship belonging to the recognized navy of a country[1] ; came in 3 ratings, depending on the number of gunnery decks it had.

A pinnace was a small light vessel, generally two-masted, and schooner-rigged; often in attendance on a larger vessel as a tender, scout, etc., whence probably the use in 2. Since c1700 only Hist. and poet.; also a double-banked boat (usually eight-oared) forming part of the equipment of a man-of-war; also applied to other small boats.

A punt was a flat-bottomed shallow boat, broad and square at both ends; formerly used widely as a name for a raft, dug-out, river ferry-boat, float, lighter, etc.; also = pontoon.

A scow (skow) was a large flat-bottomed lighter or punt.

A sloop is a small, one-masted, fore-and-aft rigged vessel, differing from a cutter in having a jib-stay and standing bowsprit, sometimes refers to a large open boat; a long-boat. In naval parlance, also called a sloop-of-war; variant: Shallop (shalloop): A large, heavy boat, fitted with one or more masts and carrying fore-and-aft or lug sails and sometimes furnished with guns, a boat, propelled by oars or by a sail, for use in shallow waters or as a means of effecting communication between, or landings from, vessels of a large size, a dinghy (!)

A snow is defined as A small sailing-vessel resembling a brig, carrying a main and fore mast and a supplementary trysail mast close behind the mainmast; formerly employed as a warship.

l. dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl op. cit., under the respective names of each type of vessel. 2.dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl, ibid, idem.

15. (Jan. 3) Duke of Cumberland ill William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765) was active in many military campaigns on the European Continent and in Great Britain, notably at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 against the Scots.Of widely changing popularity with the King, his ministers, and with Parliament, he was to retire to Windsor in 1760 but was still active in politics. As a casualty on several occasions on the battlefield,and being asthmatic and overweight, a toll of drinking, gambling and womanising finally took its toll.

The Dictionary of national biography; entry under William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765)

16. (Feb. 1 and Feb. 8) Spanish involvement in Jamaica Piracy and privateering

A Privateer was in essence a 'legal pirate' who operated under licence, with Letters of Marque and reprisal, defined in the Oxford English dictionary as follows:

2. letter of marque. a. Usually pl., letters of marque (and reprisal). Originally, a licence granted by a sovereign to a subject, authorizing him to make reprisals on the subjects of a hostile state for injuries alleged to have been done to him by the enemy's army. In later times this became practically a licence to fit out an armed vessel and employ it in the capture of the merchant shipping belonging to the enemy's subjects, the holder of letters of marque being called a privateer or corsair, and entitled by international law to commit against the hostile nation acts which would otherwise have been condemned as piracy(1). This practice became increasingly inefficient: As relations between the European powers became more complex, in an age where communications were slow, a privateer could find himself in the position where his sponsoring country had already signed a peace treaty without him knowing it, hence would in fact be committing piracy as opposed to privateering. The practice had slowed, was not formally abolished until the Congress of Paris in 1856!

1. dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl Op. cit., see under Marque
17. See note 16

18.Chignecto was one of the forts on the St. John River in New Brunswick; it changed hands a number of times between France and England. This John Collier is not to be confused with John Collier, d. 1769 in Falmouth N.S.

19. Mons. Le Jonquier. Reference is made to Jacques-Pierre de Taffanel, Marquis de La Jonquière, born 1685 near Albi in France, died 17 March, 1752, in Quebec City. He had a distinguished naval career, which included capture by the English; the first time in 1706-07, and from May 1747 to the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. Appointed a Rear-Admiral in March 1746, he was named in the same month to the post of Governor of New France, however was only able to assume his duties as of August 1749, replacing Barrin de la Galissonière who had been appointed ad-interim. His administration had a number of problems, principal ones being that of defence against the growing English encroachment. The treaty of Aix-la Chapelle resolved very few of the real outstanding questions between Britain and France concerning limits to spheres of operation ("limits " mentioned previously). In April of 1751, he proclaimed an ordinance for Acadians to take an oath of loyalty to the French Crown, responded to in kind later, when the British required of the Acadian settlers, an oath to the British Crown, leading to the exile of many who refused. The reference to Lord Anson (Vice-Admiral George Anson) and Sir Peter Warren (Rear-Admiral Peter Warren) in the Halifax gazette are to the naval defeat resulting in La Jonquière's second period of imprisonment(1).

1. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, v. 3; largely drawn from the article on Taffanel de la Jonquière, Jacques-Pierre de, Marquis de la Jonquière

20. Queen of Denmark (see Note 13)

21. Death of John Goreham (spelled also Gorham or Gorum), 1709-Dec. 1751 (O.S.). A prosperous merchant based in new England, he arrived at Annapolis Royal around 1744. This figure of military accomplishment then was assigned to lead the campaign against Île-Royale (Cap Breton) and the Fortress of Louisbourg. In 1746 he established blockhouses (forts) at Cobequid (near present-day Truro), and Chignecto. In 1748, he was sent to "exact submission" from the French settlers along the St. John River in New Brunswick. Appointed to the Legislative Council under Edward Cornwallis, he remained active in the defence of Nova Scotia's British interests after the latter's departure from Halifax and was to establish Fort Sackville at the head of the Bedford Basin which protected the capital city from the landward side.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography, v. 3; drawn from the article on Gorham, John

22. Many of the new colonies in British North America suffered from the lack of infrastructure, that people were unaccustomed to the local climate, and from diseases such as Small-pox in early years of settlement

23. This and the other two advertisements (notes 24, 25) (1) were how newspapers were able to help pay for themselves, later, along with subscriptions. This early legal firm, not identified, was situated "… at the corner of Sackville Street by the Beach." Sackville St. exists to this day, its North side is that of Citadel Hill, after which it goes into the old town. At the Southwest side are the Public Gardens(2). Sackville St. intersects one of the main streets for commerce, Hollis St., and by the part clostest to the port runs Lower Water St. which may have been where this law firm was situated.
The hours of work, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 and from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. accommodated the courts and ran on later to allow people otherwise working, to consult in legal and other matters

1. for a discussion of other advertisements, consult: which discusses advertising in later issues
2. There are two plaques in the Public Gardens, one from the (Federal) Historical Sites and Monuments Board, the other from the Halifax Foundation. The land formed a part of the original Halifax Common, chosen as a site for the Gardens in 1841. These were managed by what was to become the Halifax Horticultural Society. The Gardens were opened to the public in 1875 with the joining of the Halifax Horticultural Society Gardens with an adjacent civic garden created in 1867. It should be noted that the first indoor skating rink was established on the grounds in 1859.

24. Public education did not begin for some time in Nova Scotia, and Mssrs. Leigh and Wragg, aside from operating a Stationery store appear to have begun filling the gap between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. There was not to be an education act in Nova Scotia until 1808, which was not of great effect; the Public Education Act was passed in only in 1865. (1)

Situated on Granville St. which still exists to this day, this enterprise was part of the business district.

1. Canadian encyclopaedia, see under Nova Scotia

25. A Firkin, described in the advertisement is found in the Oxford English Dictionary (on-line ed.) and is defined as 1. A small cask for liquids, fish, butter, etc., originally containing a quarter of a 'BARREL' or half a 'KILDERKIN'. (1423 Act 2 Hen. VI, c. 14 Ferdekyns de Harank. 1502 ARNOLDE Chron. (1811) 85 To enacte that euery..barell, kilderkyn and firken of ale and bere kepe ther full mesur). 2. Used as a measure of capacity: Half a kilderkin. (The 'barrel', 'kilderkin', and 'firkin' varied in capacity according to the commodity.

A 'BARREL' was defined as being of specific weight for certain dry goods and certain volume for other goods, all of which varied over the centuries.

A 'kilderkin' is defined as 1. A cask for liquids, fish, etc. of a definite capacity (half a barrel).

By the statute of 1531-2 the kilderkin for beer had to contain 18 gallons, that for ale 16 gallons. 2. A cask of this size filled with some commodity; the quantity contained in such a cask; hence, a measure of capacity for various kinds of goods. It varied, according to commodity, from 16 to 18 old wine gallons; a kilderkin of butter weighed 112 lbs (1)

1. Oxford English Dictionary (On-line ed.) op cit.

Chris Rogers

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