Herald of Freedom, July 1791

The Herald of Freedom (1788–1791) or Herald of Freedom and the Federal Advertiser was a newspaper published in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 18th century by Edmund Freeman, Loring Andrews, and John Howel.[1][2]

In 1790–1791 the paper "was engaged in the first libel-suit tried in Massachusetts after the Revolution, ... for a savage attack on a member of the Legislature," John Gardiner.[3][4][5] The Herald's printer, Edmund Freeman, was "charged ... with publishing in his paper ... a most ... scandalous and malicious libel."[6] "The libel complained of, charged Mr. Gardiner, with the atrocious murder of his late excellent lady [Margaret Harries], by cruelty."[7][full citation needed] On February 3, 1790, "at 12, o'clock, at noon" Freeman "was taken into custody, by virtue of a warrant from Mr. Justice Crafts."[8] "The case was decided in favor of the newspaper. Harrison Gray Otis, one of the most brilliant men of his day, was counsel for the editor."[9]

References

  1. ^ "Massachusetts - Eighteenth-Century American Newspapers in the Library of Congress (Serial and Government Publications Division)". Library of Congress.
  2. ^ William Nelson. Notes toward a history of the American newspaper. NY: C.F. Heartman, 1918. Google books.
  3. ^ Frederic Hudson. Journalism in the United States, from 1690-1872. Harper & Brothers, 1873; p.181
  4. ^ Herald of Freedom; Date: 03-29-1791
  5. ^ John Gardiner (1737-1793) was the son of Silvester Gardiner and the father of John Sylvester John Gardiner; cf. T. A. Milford. The Gardiners of Massachusetts: provincial ambition and the British-American career. UPNE, 2005
  6. ^ Herald of Freedom, Date: 02-12-1790
  7. ^ Vermont Journal, 02-17-1790
  8. ^ Vermont Journal, 02-17-1790
  9. ^ Frederic Hudson. 1873; p.181

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