claim him as our own: as the great and beloved representative of the "Art Preservative of all Arts?"
Allow me to wish you success in this noble enterprise; for it is thus bolding in admiration the virtues of our great men, that we inspire this rising generations to emulate their actions.
Accept, gentlemen, my sincere thanks for the honor conferred, and present to the great body of printers, (who will doubtless be present on the occasion,) the compliments of one who, though doomed to be absent in body, will be present in spirit.
Please accept the following sentiment:
Benjamin Franklin: The faithful and fearless advocate of our national independence, the profoundly wise and benificent philosopher— his public services demand our lasting gratitude, while his bright name and untarnished honor will ever be the pride and glory of the American citizen.
Yours, very respectfully,
Walter W. Woolnough.
From Wm. A. Carpenter, Esq., a Pioneer Typo.
Buffalo, Jan. 15, 1847.
Brother Typos:—Chance has just thrown in my way an opportunity of reading your Circular of the 28th nit., inviting the craft to attend, at Rochester, on the 18ih inst., the celebration of Franklin's Birthday.
Finding that I shall not be able to enjoy the pleasure of attending the celebration, I give, for your disposition, some "incidents" of my own professional life, in aid of your proposed history of the Press of Western New York, as also a sentiment for the occasion.
The 1st of December, 1796, I commenced learning the printing business. On the 1st Tuesday of January, 1803, I became the proprietor and editor of a Press in Goshen, N. Y., and lost it by fire in 1805. Soon after I occasionally worked as a journeyman, until I came to reside at this place in 1810. There being no printer here, I am now the oldest resident member of the craft in this part of "the then west."
In October, 1811, Messrs. S. H. & H. A. Salisbury established the Buffalo Gazette, the first paper printed in this county, and I helped them out with their first number. The same year I moved to Batavia and assisted Mr. Benjamin Blodgett as printer and editor of the Republican Advocate for about two years. In 1814 I returned to this county and assisted the Messrs. Salisbury's in the management of their paper until the close of the war.
Mr. David M. Day in July, 1815, established the Niagara Journal, it then being Niagara county. I helped him issue his first number. These two printing establishments were the only ones in this county for about 12 years. The former is continued to this day, (with a great many of the subscribers of its first numbers,) under the title of the "Buffalo Patriot, (Weekly) and the "Commercial Advertiser," (Daily.)
The first Tuesday in January, 1817, I established the Chautauque Gazette, at Fredonia, beat and pulled, with my own hands, the first number, it being the first paper printed in Chautauque co. I soon sold to Mr. James Hall, a partner in the interest of the establishment.
In 1818, I purchased Mr. S. H. Salisbury's interest in the Buffalo Gazette, and became a partner with his brother, Mr. H. A. Salisbury, and in about three months sold to him. In 1826, I again associated myself with Mr. H. A. Salisbury as partner and assistant editor of the Buffalo Patriot, until 1834, when I retired from any responsible part in the duties of the Press.
From my first intercourse with the craft, I have, felt a deep interest in their welfare, and have also, at all times and on all occasions, been willing to advise and assist them, whether doing the duties of the printer's devil, or elevated as an editor.
I offer the following sentiment:
The Editorial Chair:—May it be filled with gentlemen of tact and talent, ready and willing to defend the Rights of Man and the Liberty of the Press.
Accept my best wishes for the health and happiness of the craft. Wm. A. Carpenter.
P. Canfield, Chairman, &c.
From A. H. Baily, Esq., of the Chronotype.
Boston, Mass., Jan. 13, 1847.
Gentlemen:—Your elegantly printed Circular, issued in anticipation of a celebration in your city upon the occasion of Franklin's Natal day, was received with pleasure; and as the time approaches, allow me, in behalf of the craft in the Chronotype Office, (who of course cannot be present,) to return thanks for your regard, and our hearty wishes that the coming Festival may be a really 'good time' to all who may be privileged to participate.
Your kind invitations, gentlemen, could not be received at any other point in the wide world with a warmer welcome than at this, the Printer Philosopher's Birth-place—where the first scintillations of his genius flashed forth, attracting the attention of those who were then considered the peers of Literature and Science—where, perhaps, fortunately, he received such early impressions of tyranny as caused him ever to oppose that antipode of Freedom—and where, too, he spiritually parted with home and relatives, rather than submit to injustice and oppression.
But, happily, those pioneer times of our art and his genius are rapidly advancing to a blessed and glorious maturity. The union of the two is fast 'knocking into pi' ignorance and intolerance—intelligence is not now a by-word of reproach, but a pass word to honors—and our youth are not beaten for knowing more than their masters!
At the time of the above mentioned incidents, there were in this city—and consequently in all the north—but two newspapers, where now we have about fifty. Of morning dailies, our city supports 12—to wit: an Advertiser, which gathers more fat from the trade than any other sheet—a Courier, noted for its grammer and independance—an Atlas, whose broad shoulders are given to the support of the whole 'Whig' world—a Post, which is a mighty pillar of the 'Democracy'—a Times, never 'out of joint' in its arrangements, except by the breaking of the Telegraph—
