It was extremely unpopular. It was to take effect on the first day of July next after its passage; but the opposition to it was so extensive and determined, that, at the next session of the Legislature, in June, 1785, it was repealed. But another act was passed, which imposed a duty on all advertisements, printed in the newspapers. This was no less offensive than the former act; and was considered by the Printers as a greater grievance," a shackle, which no legislature but ours, either in British or United America, have laid on the Press, which, when free, is the acknowledged great bulwark of Liberty, and the boast of a Free and Independent People." * The Spy of March 30, 1786, has the following article, in large and imposing type: Extra Information. Real! THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY (which it is acknowledged has been of very essential service to the cause of the United States, and to this Commonwealth in particular, before, at, and since the late Revolution) is now languishing with a dangerous Wound, given it by the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the second day of July last. Humble and united application has been made for a particular kind of Court Plaister, which could speedily have wrought a Cure; but as that Power, only, who gave the Wound, could apply the Remedy with effect, it could not be obtained! The wound grows worse daily-Mortification has taken place, and in all probability will soon prove fatal to the existence of that Old Publick Servant! -"Alas, POOR SPY!" Gentle Reader, if thou hast a benevolent heart, thy compassion will be moved, when thou art informed that the Wound given was as unjust as it was unmerited—it was given at a time when this faithful Servant of the Publick, after having fought the battles of its country, was sounding forth her Praise-endeavoring to clear her from the Aspersions thrown upon her by her enemies, and diligently watching their motions. Generous Reader, the services rendered by the SPY to the Publick, were not for the sake of sordid gain, but from Principle:- The only Reward for fifteen years hard duty was this inhuman attack upon its *Mass. Spy, Sept. 29, 1785. existence! and the existence of all its near Relations, the whole Family of Gazettes in this Commonwealth. During the suspension of the publication, Thomas was engaged in the publishing and selling of books, and in making additions to his printing apparatus. On the second day of April, 1788, the Spy reappeared, with the following salutatory : — The Printer has the happiness of once more presenting to the Publick, the MASSACHUSETTS SPY, or the WORCESTER GAZETTE, which at length is restored to its Constitutional Liberty, (thanks to our present Legislature,) after a suspension of two years. Heaven grant that the FREEDOM of the PRESS, on which depends the FREEDOM of the PEOPLE, may, in the United States, ever be guarded with a watchful eye, and defended from Shackles of every form and shape, until the trump of the celestial messenger shall announce the final dissolution of all things. The Spy was an advocate for the constitution of the United States, and joined with most other papers in their rejoicings when that instrument was adopted, and went into operation. Its editor was strenuous in favor of the introduction and use of titles. For a year or two after the organization of the Federal gov.ament, it seldom spoke of the President but as "His Highness, George Washington," or "His Highness the PresidentGeneral," &c. Mr. Thomas was connected with the Spy, till the year 1801. In 1792 it purported to be "printed by Isaiah Thomas and Leonard Worcester; in 1793, "for Isaiah Thomas and Leonard Worcester, by Leonard Worcester;" in 1794, " by Leonard Worcester, for Isaiah Thomas; "-in 1801, "by Isaiah Thomas, jun. for Isaiah Thomas & Son ;" wards, "by and for Isaiah Thomas, jun." and afterThe name of the senior never afterward appeared in connection with the ownership of the paper. About the year 1814, William Manning, of Boston, became the publisher of the Spy, "for Isaiah Thomas, jun." A few years after, the establishment was sold to John Milton Earle, by whom it is still owned and published. It is the oldest newspaper in Massachusetts. Previous to his relinquishing the Spy to his son, Mr. Thomas had extended his business relations to several places. He was the senior partner in the house of Thomas & Andrews in Boston, which carried on the business of printing and bookselling for many years subsequent to 1788. The Massachusetts Magazine, a monthly periodical, was published by them from the commencement of their partnership till 1795. In 1793, he set up a press, published a paper, and opened a bookstore at Walpole, N. H. in connection with David Carlisle, one of his freed apprentices, a native of Walpole In connection with another of his apprentices he established a paper at Brookfield, in the county of Worcester. He also had business connections at Albany, Baltimore, and Newburyport. Among the most important works, which came from his press at Worcester, was an edition of the Bible in folio, with plates; an edition in quarto, with a concordance; another edition in octavo, and a fourth in duodecimo. The types for this edition were kept standing, and were afterwards transferred to the office of Thomas & Andrews, in Boston. In 1810, Mr. Thomas published his History of Printing, in two volumes octavo, a work of great labor, and which will give him an undisputed claim to the regard of posterity. He was the founder of the American Antiquarian Society, to which he bequeathed his valuable Library and a building for its accommodation. He also gave to the county of Worcester the land, on which a Court-House was erected, and to the town he made many donations of great value. From Dartmouth College he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and that of Doctor of Laws from Alleghany College. He was a member of the Historical Societies of Massachusetts and New-York, and of various other Philosophical, Literary, Humane, Charitable, and Typographic Societies. In Freemasonry he filled the highest and most honored stations of the institution, and probably presided on, or was present at, more public conventions, dedications, installations, and festivals, than any other individual of the fraternity. He was President of the Antiquarian Society from its foundation to his decease. He was appointed a Justice of the Court of Sessions in 1812, but never legally qualified himself to perform the duties of the office, and, it is believed, never took a seat on the bench. Mr. Thomas died at his residence in Worcester, on the fourth of April, 1831, at the age of eighty-two years, and his remains were deposited in a tomb, which he had erected many years before, as their intended place of rest. "His memory will be kept green, when the recollection of other eminent citizens shall have passed in oblivion. His reputation, in future time, will rest, as a patriot, on the manly independence, which gave, through the initiatory stages and progress of the Revolution, the strong influence of the press he directed, to the cause of freedom, when royal flattery would have seduced, and the power of government subdued its action."* * Lincoln's History of Worcester, p. 294. THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURANT, referred to in the preceding account of the Spy, page 236, purports to be "Printed by Andrew Marvel, at the sign of the Bribe refused, on Constitution Hill, North-America," and is dated "Saturday, September 21, 1765." It has for a motto, "Containing matters interesting to Liberty, and nowise repugnant to Loyalty." It is a half sheet of medium size. In the centre of the title is the annexed device: JOIN or DIE A large number of copies of this paper were secretly transmitted to New-York, and there sold by hawkers and pedlers, employed for the purpose. Mr. Thomas says it was printed at Burlington, and the copy now before me, which belongs to the library of Harvard College, has "Burlington, N. J." written under the words "Constitution Hill." The same copy has, under the name "Andrew Marvel," in the same hand, the words "pseudonyme Wm. Goddard." This copy was presented to the College by the heirs of the late Rev. James Freeman, D. D.; but these explanations are not in his handwriting. Mr. Thomas, probably, had not a copy of the |