Constitutional Telegraphe
Encyclopedia
The Constitutional Telegraphe (1799-1802) was a newspaper produced in Boston
, Massachusetts
, at the turn of the 19th century. The paper sympathized with the Republican party, and supported Thomas Jefferson
. Publishers included Samuel S. Parker, Jonathan S. Copp, John S. Lillie, and John Mosely Dunham.
"In February, 1802, Lillie was indicted for libel on Judge Dana
, and on conviction was fined $100, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. He bade farewell to the readers of the Telegraphe in a long article dated 'Boston Gaol
, March 30 — 19th day of Imprisonment.' On April 14, 1802, the paper was issued in the name of J.M. Dunham as printer and editor, who, a few weeks later, changed the title to Republican Gazetteer."
Some historians dismiss the Telegraphe as relatively insignificant. Justin Winsor
, for instance, writes: "the ultra-Republican organ ... [was] unable to show any reason for its existence, lasted but about three years. ... The Telegraphe was but one of several papers which the ill-considered enthusiasm of political parties set on foot in the last years of the century, which lived a few months or a few years, and died leaving no sign."
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, at the turn of the 19th century. The paper sympathized with the Republican party, and supported Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
. Publishers included Samuel S. Parker, Jonathan S. Copp, John S. Lillie, and John Mosely Dunham.
"In February, 1802, Lillie was indicted for libel on Judge Dana
Francis Dana
Francis Dana was an American lawyer, jurist, and statesman from Massachusetts. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1777-1778 and 1784. He signed the Articles of Confederation.-Biography:...
, and on conviction was fined $100, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. He bade farewell to the readers of the Telegraphe in a long article dated 'Boston Gaol
Boston Gaol (Massachusetts)
The Boston Gaol was a jail in the center of Boston, Massachusetts, located off Court Street, in the block bounded by School, Washington and Tremont Streets. It was rebuilt several times on the same site, before finally moving to the West End in 1822...
, March 30 — 19th day of Imprisonment.' On April 14, 1802, the paper was issued in the name of J.M. Dunham as printer and editor, who, a few weeks later, changed the title to Republican Gazetteer."
Some historians dismiss the Telegraphe as relatively insignificant. Justin Winsor
Justin Winsor
Justin Winsor was a prominent American writer, librarian, and historian.-Background and education:Winsor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of Nathaniel Winsor III and Ann Thomas Howland Winsor...
, for instance, writes: "the ultra-Republican organ ... [was] unable to show any reason for its existence, lasted but about three years. ... The Telegraphe was but one of several papers which the ill-considered enthusiasm of political parties set on foot in the last years of the century, which lived a few months or a few years, and died leaving no sign."
Further reading
- Joseph Tinker Buckingham. Specimens of newspaper literature, v.2. Boston: Redding and Co., 1852; p.308+. Google books
- William Nelson. Notes toward a history of the American newspaper, v.1. NY: C.F. Heartman, 1918. Google books