The Origins of a Free Press in Prerevolutionary ... - Web Publishing

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amendments, he informed the governors of a new act to regulate fisheries and
fishermen. 149
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The concept of freedom of the press in Virginia had evolved a great deal in
half a century. It was no longer simply an Enlightenment philosophical ideal, a right
for the political elites. Citizens now could—even should—criticize their
government. The first Virginia newspaper noted that liberty of the press did not
include overt criticism of governing officials and recognized that veneration must
always be maintained for authority. 150 In contrast, the introduction to the first
competitive Virginia newspaper stated bluntly that it would support liberty and
treat with contempt factious political zealots. This article displayed no deferential
attitude. By 1766, all of the Chesapeake newspapers were full of criticism of
Parliament and the British ministry, with little or no sign of political deference. 151
While some writers referred to free press as a natural, individual right, they also
recognized it as a watchdog on corrupt governments, with a crucial role within the
balance of British government. 152 A published letter in 1773 refers to the motto of
one of the two Gazettes, “Open to all Parties, but influenced by none,” as “properly
descriptive of that Freedom which renders the Press beneficial to Mankind.” The
“Attentive Observer” goes on to criticize the printer for not running a piece
submitted, and notes that it is only through the freedom of the press “by which the
149 Jefferson to the governors of the several states, March 1, 1792, Ibid., 2:1203.
150 Virginia Gazette (Aug. 6, 1736), no longer extant, quoted in Maxwell, Virginia Historical
Register, 21-31.
151 Ibid., (Rind, May 16, 1766) issue number 1, 1.
152 On free press as an extension of the natural right of free speech, see for example the letter
previously noted, “Civis,” Virginia Gazette (May 18, 1776), 1. The same letter noted how free
press was crucial to removal of “Popish” kings,