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Colonial American Newspapers ~ Virginia Newspapers

Compiled by History Intern Zack Alexander/Spring 2002

Virginia Newspapers, 1774-1775:

The Norfolk Intelligencer

The Norfolk Intelligencer gives some more important insight into the late pre-war period and early war period of the American Revolution. As with some other papers of the era, this publication claims a stance of neutrality from the first available issue on this roll of microfilm. Overall, it can be judged fairly in following this stance and presenting a fair and non-biased view of the events of the day. Additionally, the information presented is very relevant historically and quite interesting to read.

There are no groundbreaking revelations in these editions; however, there is a wealth of additional information that helps shed an informative light upon the late pre-war/ early war period of the American Revolution. The documents and legislative actions covered in the editions may provide the best insight and most interesting material on the whole. The self-proclaimed neutral paper does a nice job of portraying pre-war political actions, from laws and resolutions passed by legislative bodies on both sides to impassioned works of political ideas and propaganda by statesmen and editorialists of the era, in a very informative and easily researchable light. The ability to use the available material from the editions on this roll should be quite a manageable task for researchers of all levels of experience. Some additional information is presented that shows a bit of insight into the early military movements of the Revolutionary War. Of particular interest to researchers might be early reports from Lexington on troop activities and other military related movements and occurrences.

Virginia Newspapers, 1775-1776:

The Virginia Gazette of Williamsburg.

The Virginia Gazette of Williamsburg gives some more insight into different aspects of the early days of the American Revolutionary War. Like The Norfolk Intelligencer, The Gazette claims neutrality. Additionally, this paper does a good job of holding true to the mantra of journalistic fairness and presents the now historically important information in a well laid out and informative manner for any level of researcher to peruse and explore.

The important information contained on this roll has of course to do with the early war period of struggle for American Independence. In a number of the articles and editorials, reflecting passions from both the British and Americans, a flavor of the era is seen. The works of idealistic propaganda and impassioned politics show both sides as committed to their respective view of things. Legislative actions and resolutions passed by both sides are well detailed for the average researcher to use and explore historically. The passed laws and resolutions are laid out in a meticulously detailed fashion and could be very useful for certain aspects of research concerning the period. Military movements from early in the war are chronicled and accounted for in some depth. The reports of this area though might best be used as a supplement to other reports of military movements and actions of the era.

Virginia Newspapers, 1782-1784:

The American Advertiser.

The American Advertiser displays a very key time in history for America. It shows, in nicely laid out detail, the endings of a war for freedom and the start of planning a new nation. The material covered by the paper has a distinctly American flavor. The concerns of attaining victory and then moving forward with a successful post war government lies among the top level of importance to the politicians and statesmen of the day in this publication.

The paper reports on the end of the war and how it affects both sides on a number of fronts. However, the most important and readily available information deals with the military ending to the war for both sides. Through accounts of military movements, battle strategies used, and other military related actions stories show how the war winds down and ends for both sides. These stories lead into ones about the post-war peace process and the settling of differences. Especially for the burgeoning American nation, the issue of how best to end things with England is covered, and legislative initiatives show the attempts by America to end the war on the best of terms. Additionally, there are some interesting propaganda and editorial writings on America’s future in a post-war world. These issues are all covered in solid detail and would be worth researching for related projects on the era.

NOTE: Rolls Five And Six Are Unavailable.

Virginia Newspapers: 1790-1803:

The General Advertiser.

The General Advertiser covers a plethora of historically relevant issues in the available editions on this roll of microfilm. In the roughly thirteen years covered on the roll, the paper looks at a number of conflicts and issues that now carry great weight historically. Additionally, the paper does not just stick with American concerns but also the rising tide of political revolution in Europe. As with a number of the Pre-American papers, when England still controlled America under a system of colonies, this publication devotes a nice amount of space to foreign concerns of the day and relates their importance on the stages of both American interest and the interest of the world and Europe in general.

The main issues touched upon that deal with America directly have to do with the presidency of George Washington and America’s early years as a rising nation on the world scene. Domestic conflicts of a political nature are covered on a number of different topics. The importance of government actions is seen and reported on. Additionally, there are some editorials on the actions of both Washington and Congress and their perceived effectiveness by certain people. These reports give insight to how America was developing as a country and the early conflicts and matters of political and legislative importance it dealt with as a nation. From the view of world and European importance, the French Revolution and its numerous offshoot issues are covered in splendid detail. The importance of the steady development of the now historically famous movement in France is related in stories to show America’s official stance and the view of the rest of Europe. The steady progress of the movement shows the conflict growing on the stages of both Europe and the world. The evolution of the movement is covered through the start of Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power. The stories provide a nice account of foreign history as reported from the American point of view.

Virginia Newspapers, 1793-1803:

The Virginia Gazette.
The Richmond and Manchester Advertiser.
The Virginia Argus.

The origin of this paper started in Richmond and developed under several names and changes of ownership from 1793-1803. The value of the paper’s editions on this roll is of a decently high merit. It provides some keen insight into Virginia, a colonial Mecca of history, and, more importantly, the early stages of America as a nation.

The historical information of this era deals a great bit, on the American level, with statesmen of the era. There is no real overriding unity to the editions and their historical contributions. However, selected bits of data on the development of America as a young nation can be extremely useful. Examples of early American political conflicts, issues, and governmental actions show a country under development and a history of America’s early governmental maturation period in a here and there method that, while not unified under any particular banner, is useful information historically on America’s early development politically. Another interesting bit of research material comes from the actions of, in the form of American statesmen and leaders, great Revolutionary leaders. There are a number of articles throughout the editions on the roll that show leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and others executing a plan for America’s success as a nation in their own ways and the conflicts that arise as a result.

Virginia Newspapers, 1799-1803:

The Virginia Argus.

This publication leaves a good bit to be desired as far as historically relevant research is concerned. The articles in the publication are fairly well written and laid out in an easily read format. However, there are no real groundbreaking historical events that receive a great amount of coverage.

In contrast to other papers printed during the same era of time, The Argus does not do a good job of giving some real insight into the development of a still young American nation. There are bits and pieces of relevant history discussed throughout the various editions on this roll of microfilm. However, the stories of the events of the days in America and the steadily evolving French Revolution in Europe are not given enough overall weight to recommend this publication and the selected editions on this roll as a strong source of historically researchable information.

Virginia Newspapers, 1803-1805:

The General Advertiser.

The General Advertiser, in three years worth of editions on this reel of microfilm, does a nice job of covering the historically relevant events of the day. The articles are laid out in a fairly easy to read format. Additionally, the writing is informative and contains a nice breadth of material concerning American and European history from the era represented on the reel.

The paper covers, in a nice amount of detail, Thomas Jefferson as America’s third President. It shows Jefferson as a politician and as the top government official in America. The legislative and political stories covered provide a nice perspective on his presidency. Also getting premium coverage is the rise of another famous leader in Napoleon Bonaparte. His rise to power in France is chronicled in a fairly informative way through a number of detailed stories of his takeover of France and his starting of plans for dominating Europe. These events are chronicled through date line stories of his early battles as France’s ruler and his steadily growing opposition from other powers of Europe such as England, Prussia, Austria, and Russia. The paper tells of Jefferson’s decision to stay neutral in the affair and the basic inner workings in the now very historic Louisiana Purchase, which forever shaped the historical image of Napoleon Bonaparte and Thomas Jefferson.

Virginia Newspapers, 1804-1805:

The Virginia Argus.

The Argus during the years of 1804-1805 provides an interesting look at the early workings of the American Congress. There is a countless amount of information, detailed in rigidly informative fashion, about the still fresh workings of The United States Congress. As the previous edition of microfilm so informatively covers the goings on of Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte, The Argus does the same for Congress.

The main historical interest regarding Congress goes into the depth of detail that this reel of Argus editions provides the historical researcher. All of the following are covered to a good degree regarding the workings of Congress on this reel of Argus editions: laws passed, speeches on prospective laws, the yes and no votes on numerous laws, the detailed descriptions of motions and committee exchanges, detailed descriptions of the final forms of passed laws, and the political wrangling among Congressmen. The detail is sharp and full of historical trinkets for a researcher of any level to use and appreciate.

Virginia Newspapers, 1805-1807:

The Virginia Gazette.
The General Advertiser.

The coverage of Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte continues in these editions of The Gazette and General Advertiser. While the depth of information is not as prevalent, and most of the materials would best be suited as supplementary items to research, there is some historical use to this particular reel. Additionally, the politics and legislative developments of The United States Congress are covered in decent, if not exquisitely in-depth, detail.

The goings on of Napoleon continues to provide headlines for Virginia newspapers during this time. His continued shaping of world affairs by positioning France, diplomatically and militarily, as a contender for the premier nation on Earth continues to be a huge story. All the meanwhile, his actions increasingly are shown, as history shows, to infuriate the other reigning powers of Europe. The coverage of The Gazette and General Advertiser shows this and gives it a solid amount of coverage that is easily read and understood. Jefferson and the politics of American government are also touched upon on this reel of microfilm. The stories on these historically relevant men would be fairly useful to any level of research.

Virginia Newspapers, 1806-1807:

The Virginia Argus.

The Virginia Argus proves to be a pretty solid source of historical information for the period of time between 1806-1807. The paper covers a variety of issues with a good and easily read writing style that gives the reader/researcher a helpful path in breaking down relevant and unrelated stories to their thesis. The range of issues covered, on a local, national, and world scale, proves to be very in-depth and worthwhile historical reading. The roll contains quite a bit of variety in its event coverage that adds to the roll’s usefulness.

The main focus on the American scene for Argus coverage deals with a lot of the goings on in Congress and in the Jefferson administration. There are numerous speeches, resolutions, and laws that are covered on a very in-depth level. The actions of Congress, and the overall workings of the body, is very interesting to read about and gives a wealth of possible research on the politics and policy making of the body at the start of the nineteenth century. On the world scene, the main issues covered have to do with the continued rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in France and the opposition he faced from the other powers of Europe. During this period of time the opposition felt by Bonaparte was being sent forth by armed force, and the battle and political wrangling of both sides of the very historic European conflict are covered in fine fashion in these editions. From the local scene of Virginia, there are at least two notable societal stories. First of all, the local economy, particularly the progress of the local cash crop in Virginia of tobacco, is seen receiving steadily more coverage. This shows a bit of an insight into the structure of the Virginia economy. Secondly, there are considerably more local reports on murders and crimes. This maybe useful to historical and/or other research in that area of society.

Virginia Newspapers, 1807-1809:

The Virginia Gazette
General Advertiser.

The editions on this reel of microfilm have a number of historically relevant items on it. The coverage of Napoleon Bonaparte is not as prevalent as on earlier reels. However, the slack in stories is taken up by American concerns in Europe dealing with England. The start to impassioned calls for what would become the War of 1812 helps put the wheels in motion for more modern forms of editorials.

Great statesmen and leaders of the day such as James Madison primarily pen the new types of editorials seen on this reel. However, the style, shorter and more compact, gives insight into a more modern style of editorial writing. Additionally, there is less pomp and circumstance given to editorials than has been the case in past editions. Unlike during the American Revolution, statesmen state their view ina more matter of fact and average reader friendly style of writing. There is some coverage to Napoleon and his continued rise in Europe. The coverage, as previously mentioned is not as in-depth as on previous reels, but it is still very useful all the same. This time period shows stories of Napoleon’s continued military victories, and at times struggles, as he fights to dominate Europe against the other powers of the continent. The tension of a possible war with England is also seen in the editorial writings and news stories available on this reel. The stories and opinion writings provide a useful precursor to the War of 1812.

Virginia Newspapers, 1808-1809:

The Virginia Argus.

This reel of Argus editions gives a wealth of pre-war writing and news on the American front and Napoleon Bonaparte news on the European front. The American scene is seen dealing with the rising pressure to go to war with Great Britain. There are countless editorials on this reel of Argus editions that give the reasons why America should or should not enter into a war with England. While the majority of the more modern editorial writings seem to favor the war effort, both sides put forth their case in a fashion that proves to be very informative and researcher friendly. The writings could be very helpful as supplementary material on any range of American history or War of 1812 related subjects.

The coverage of Napoleon and the developments of his reign over France continue to provide very useful research material on this reel of microfilm. From the military to the diplomatic to the political, his actions continued to be covered in a fairly in-depth manner. Another interesting area of notice comes with a change in the method of covering The United States Congress. The coverage on this reel, the first of any real substance for several rolls, gives a more streamlined coverage approach to the body. The body’s actions are given in a more reader friendly manner and done in a more story like fashion.

Virginia Newspapers, 1809:

The Virginia Gazette.
General Advertiser.

This reel provides a nice supplement to previous reel of Argus papers. The content of both rolls is virtually the same as the time period is the same roughly. The historical knowledge and material found on this reel is quite useful and would be a nice combination when mixed with the Argus stories on the previous reel of microfilm.

The Gazette brings forth more editorial and news story sentiment that a war could be on the horizon for America. The pre-war information found on this roll concerning what became a second struggle between America and England in 1812 provides an extremely useful foundation for research on the war and numerous offshoots concerned with it. The area of the War of 1812 is a prime example of how this reel and the previously mentioned Argus reel could be combined for a very in-depth source of historical material. Additionally, the stories on Napoleon in France are filled with helpful information on his various projects and methods of setting Europe upside down. Thus, this is another area that would be very beneficial in researching as a two-reel project in combination with the previously mentioned Argus editions. However one chooses to use this reel though it has a wealth of information on a turbulent and historically intriguing time for America and Europe.

Virginia Newspapers, 1810-1811:

The Virginia Argus.

The Virginia Argus from 1810-1811 takes up some very intriguing issues and reports upon them in a very well crafted fashion. Taking up the most story space is War of 1812 related material. The tide towards war builds in these editions and the various bodies responsible for pushing for and enforcing the war effort are heard from in actions and words throughout the roll.

The emotions of pre-war sentiment accelerate to the point of Congressional action on the subject. The venom and adrenaline of a second war with England is chronicled as it builds to a climax of a path leading to armed conflict. There is a great amount of coverage on the actions of America’s elected officials during this time. Their actions show how, as reported in a nicely laid out fashion by The Argus, a country prepares for a war. The actions are full of historically relevant supplemental material. Additionally, the writings calling for such action take an even more historic turn. The propaganda filled editorials calling for the war effort to materialize give a great insight into the political debates on foreign policy during this period of time. Additionally, the editorials are now shown as written by more common folks or a newspaper’s editorial writer as opposed to great statesmen. This shows a historically interesting insight into the writings of editorials and how they change over a period of time that could be useful research in a number of historical areas concerning the nature of historical events, politics, and policy concerning both domestic and foreign historical events. Additional material comes from the continuously tumultuous goings on in Europe between Napoleon Bonaparte and the other great powers of the continent. The coverage in these editions provides a fine supplement to material that can be found on earlier rolls in this collection.

Virginia Newspapers, 1812-1813:

The Virginia Argus.

The war fury of 1812 heats up in these editions of newspapers. The Argus does a very fine job of reporting the early war period of the 1812 conflict. There is a great amount of historically viable research material on this roll for any level of researcher to use and appreciate.

There are numerous stories on the handling of the war effort by Congress. From the actual declaration of war on England to the numerous things a Congressional body must do to run and succeed in a war, these Argus editions do a very fine job of providing in-depth historical insight. Such things as wartime budgetary matters, supply needs, manpower needs, and political considerations domestically and abroad are dealt with in a very meticulous fashion on this roll. As the war effort heats up, the battle accounts found on this roll show a very good view into the actions of armed conflict. The battles are reported upon in a solid fashion and give a fairly easily read research base to draw from. There is continued propaganda and editorializing. The writings leading up to the formal war efforts starting and beyond reflect some very interesting political thoughts and are worth perusing. Finally, there is some 1812 Presidential election coverage. This would be useful to supplement a number of political research areas concerning wartime and peacetime elections.

Virginia Newspapers, 1814-1815:

The Virginia Argus.

This edition of Argus papers continues with the usual historical coverage themes of European conflict and the war effort of 1812 between England and America. Both get solid coverage and provide a nice range of historical data for any researcher to peruse and use.

The status of the war effort between England and America continues to draw on and receive a great amount of attention by the paper. These editions chronicle the heat going downhill and a move toward peace being sought by both sides. The propaganda shows a victory for America as a young nation that has once again outlasted its former master in England. There are continued accounts of both military and Congressional actions from America’s side of things in these editions. The stories give a solid amount of supplemental research on a war already well chronicled on the previous rolls of microfilm. The other big story of these editions is the climax to Napoleon’s rule in Europe. The politics of armed force end Napoleon’s reign, he returns, and is finally defeated for good in the period of time from 1814-1815. These editions report on these events and their consequences for France and the rest of Europe both domestically and diplomatically. The stories put a nice ending on a series of years worth of material on a very historically intriguing time in Europe.

Virginia Newspapers, 1816:

The Virginia Argus.

The most significant facts with this roll of Argus editions deals with the lack of controversy and conflict to be reported upon. After years of great and historical change in America and Europe, this roll is very tame in comparison. Thus, there is not quite the wealth of historically treasured research material on this roll of editions from 1816.

Historical tameness aside, the roll gives a nice post Napoleon and 1812 view of things. The normal, non-war effort, workings of Congress are chronicled and accounted for in a continually more modern and streamlined form. The newly changing nation of America is shown at a time of peace and without the worry that its former master nation of England might defeat it and take away its hard earned freedoms of self-rule. Conflict in Europe is changing to changes as France learns to accept its fate in a post-Napoleonic world. The best way to use this roll might be to research things in America and Europe in a supplementary method of showing both places after the fact of great controversy and change. While the wealth of overall material is certainly not comparable to earlier rolls, the historical significance of the events these editions were immediately proceeded by give a light into what a peaceful time in history is about.

Zack Alexander 01-02