New England Historic Genealogical Society

Town Information

THE RHODE ISLAND AMERICAN

The first number of the Rhode Island American was issued
Friday, October 21, 1808, by Dunham and Hawkins, William W.
Dunham, editor, and David Hawkins, Jr. It was printed at the
sign of the American Eagle, opposite the market. Terms three
dollars per year, half in advance.

The editorial announcement in the first number stated prob-
ably as the reason for establishing the paper that the "pressing
necessity of the present period which was to decide whether the
politics of Washington shall once more regain their proper influ-
ence in the hearts of his countrymen demands correspondent exer-
tion."

October 5th, 1825, a consolidation was effected between the
Gazette and the American. The firm of Brown and Carlile was
formed (Hugh H. Brown and Francis T. Carlile) and con-
ducted the printing on the north side of Market Square. William
S. Patten was editor for one year when he was succeeded by Chris-
topher E. Robbins.

In March 1827, Mr. Carlile bought out his partner and em-
ployed Benjamin F. Hallett as editor. In the July following the
Microcosm, a weekly paper, established June 10, 1825, by Walter R.
Danforth, was absorbed by the American. Two years later (July,
1829) the Cadet and Statesman was also taken in. The title was
changed to that of the RHODE ISLAND AMERICAN STATESMAN
AND GAZETTE. The Cadet and Statesman was founded as the
Literary Cadet and Saturday Evening Bulletin. It was published
by Smith and Parmenter (Samuel J. Smith, Jonathan C. Parmen-
ter); Sylvester S. Southworth was editor. It was a weekly until
July, 1828, and then semi-weekly until its absorption. The last
number was issued Friday, Feb. 1, 1833. Saturday, Feb. 9, it was
continued under the title of MICROCOSM AMERICAN AND GAZETTE
until its final discontinuance March 29, 1834. Daniel Mowry, 3d,
was proprietor of these last consolidation papers. April 6, 1833,
he sold out to James S. Hamm & Co., (Joseph Knowles the Co.,)
who owned it at its final discontinuance. The paper obtained a
high position in the community and had among its writers the best
talent of the State. William Goddard was editor when it was at
its best.

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