Vol. 1, No. 1, of the Providence Phenix was issued Tuesday,
May 11, 1802, and the terms were $1.50 per annum. It was
first printed by W. W. Dunham for T. A. Foster and W. W. Dun-
ham at Printing House Office opposite Hon. Theodore Foster's
house, Westminster street.

On July 20, 1802, this extract from the works of Washing-
ton is placed beneath the title: "In proportion as the structure of
government gives force to public opinion it is essential that the
public opinion should be enlightened." On Nov. 20, 1802, the
publication day was changed to Saturday. Nov. 5, 1803, the quo
tation was dropped and the following was substituted: "Published
by William W. Dunham, opposite the Market House, Providence."
Theodore A. Foster withdrew May 21, 1803, and Mr. Dunham then
became sole owner.

Commencing Wednesday, July 18, 1804, the paper was printed
and published by William Olney. Sept. 15 the publication day
was changed back again to Saturday, when the announcement was
made that a new font of type was to be used. This number has
for title page the words "Providence Phenix" in plain letters, the
bird phenix arising from the fire (which has hitherto been a promi-
nent feature of the title page) being dropped.

Oct. 12, 1805, the announcement is made that the office is re-
moved to the chambers over D. Vinton's store, 7 Market Square.
Jan. 17, 1807, Jones & Wheeler (Josiah Jones. Bennett Wheeler)
announce themselves as the proprietors of the paper. Feb. 28,
1807, "Providence" is dropped from the title, and the words "The
Phenix" substituted in a new style of letters. March 14 a wood
cut showed these letters in white.

Jan. 16, 1808, The Phenix has a new title, "The Columbian
Phenix." March 11, 1809, the word "The" was dropped from the
latter title. July 15, 1809. It is announced as published by
Wheeler, Jones & Co. This firm name appears but a few times,
VITAL RECORD OF RHODE ISLAND
the name Jones & Wheeler continuing on each number as usual.
The sub-title, "Columbian Phenix," was last used Jan. 12, 1811,
and afterward no title but "Providence Phenix," in large letters and
date in line following. Sept. 7, the sub-title, "The Patriot," is first
used, the title having been from Jan. 19, "Columbian Phenix or
Providence Patriot."

May 2, 1812, the paper is dressed in mourning in memory of
the Vice President, George Clinton, who died at Washington April
20. May 3, 1813, a wood cut on the title page represented an eagle
with shield in front and arrows in claws, with sunrise in the back-
ground.

Jan. 15, 1814, with the beginning of Volume XII the title of
the paper is again changed. It now reads "Providence Patriot and
Columbian Phenix" instead of as before "Columbian Phenix and
Providence Patriot."

Jan. 2, 1819, the paper became a semi-weekly, being published
Wednesday and Saturday. The former price of $2.00 was changed
to $3.50, and the title became "Providence Patriot" in large letters
and "Columbian Phenix" in small letters. The firm name now was
Jones, Wheeler and Cranston (Barzillai Cranston being added).
Mr. Cranston continued in the firm one year only, when Jones and
Wheeler continued it until May, 1823. The paper before Mr. Cran-
ston was announced from April 17, 1819, as being published by J.
Jones & Co., Printers to the State, 7 Market Square.

Eaton W. Maxcy succeeded Mr. Wheeler, but a year after
transferred it to William Simons, the firm continuing as Jones &
Simons until Nov., 1829, when Mr. Jones published as Agent.
Mr. Simons retired. James O. Rockwell was editor from Nov. 11,
1829, until his death, June 7, 1831. June 9, 1832, it again became
a weekly and so continued until its last issue, Dec. 29, 1832.

In politics it was Democratic. It was well edited and printed,
being the first Democratic newspaper in the town of Providence.
As first stated, it was first printed for T. A. Foster & Co., by W.
W. Dunham. From Dec. 18, 1802, for a while it was printed by
Samuel J. Williams. When it was first published it was $1.50 per
annum, but when William Olney took charge it was raised to $2.00.
J. Jones & Co., Printers to the State, continued as proprietors until
Eaton W. Maxcy succeeded Mr. Wheeler when the firm name
changed May 12, 1824, to Jones & Maxcy, and May 11, 1825, it
again changed to Jones & Simons which co-partnership continued
as above stated until Nov. 7, 1829, when Mr. Jones continued as
agent.

In the last number, Dec. 29, 1832, he announces that his son,
Cornelius S. Jones, will be editor and proprietor, and that the
paper will have a new dress and be otherwise improved. This did
not materialize however and no paper succeeded.

Of all these papers we have seen all the numbers issued except
those for April 29 and Sept. 22, 1804, Jan. 24, 1829, Nov. 12, 1831,
Jan. 25 and June 2, 1832. This file is in the possession of the
Rhode Island Historical Society, whence these extracts and the
matter published in this volume have been gleaned.