Newspapers played a crucial role in the Revolutionary war and continued to be prominent through the Ratification Period. Although the public debate at the time was highly polemic, most newspaper editors proclaimed that their newspapers were unbiased and open to all. This could be a tricky balancing act that periodically put publishers in a bind especially during the Ratification debates. To access a more thorough discussion of the role of newspapers during the Ratification Period go to Newspapers During Ratification (pdf).

Newspaper editors in conjunction with the Post Office created a primitive press network that saw a fairly wide circulation of news and polemic essays throughout the nation. But even this system was not without its controversies. For an extended explanation of this news network and how it figured in the Ratification debates, see The Controversy Over the Post Office and the Circulation of Papers (pdf).

Below you will find a brief bibliographical explanation of the newspapers in each state by clicking on the state heading. We have assembled some detailed notes regarding some of the major newspapers of the time. Clicking on these specific newspaper names will give you access to this additional information.

Connecticut

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Connecticut informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on Connecticut Newspapers (pdf)

American Mercury, Hartford    (nameplate)
Connecticut Courant, Hartford    (nameplate)
Connecticut Gazette, New London  (nameplate)
Connecticut Journal, New Haven   (nameplate)
Fairfield Gazette   (nameplate)
Middlesex Gazette, Middletown   (nameplate)
New Haven Chronicle
New Haven Gazette   (nameplate)
Norwich Packet   (nameplate)
Weekly Monitor, Litchfield    (nameplate)

Delaware

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Delaware informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on Delaware Newspapers (pdf)

Delaware Courant, Wilmington 
Delaware Gazette, Wilmington   (nameplate)

Georgia

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Georgia informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on Georgia Newspapers (pdf)

Gazette of the State of Georgia, Savannah 
Georgia State Gazette, Augusta 

Maryland

Maryland Chronicle, Fredericktown    (nameplate)
Maryland Gazette, Annapolis   (nameplate)
Maryland Gazette, Baltimore
Maryland Journal, Baltimore    (nameplate)
Palladium of Freedom, Baltimore 

Massachusetts

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Massachusetts informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on Massachusetts Newspapers (pdf)

American Herald, Boston    (nameplate)      
American Recorder, Charlestown
Berkshire Chronicle, Pittsfield
Boston Gazette      (nameplate)
Continental Journal, Boston
Cumberland Gazette, Portland, Maine    (nameplate)
Essex Journal, Newburyport     (nameplate)
Hampshire Chronicle, Springfield     (nameplate)
Hampshire Gazette, Northampton     (nameplate)
Herald of Freedom, Boston
Independent Chronicle, Boston       (nameplate)
Massachusetts Centinel, Boston (pdf)      (nameplate)
Massachusetts Gazette, Boston        (nameplate)
Salem Mercury     (nameplate)
Worcester Magazine/Massachusetts Spy     (nameplate)

New Hampshire

Freeman’s Oracle, Exeter     (nameplate)
New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth     (nameplate)
New Hampshire Mercury, Portsmouth    (nameplate)
New Hampshire Recorder, Keene      (nameplate)
New Hampshire Spy, Portsmouth      (nameplate)

New Jersey

Click here to see the first newspaper article in New Jersey informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on New Jersey Newspapers (pdf)

Brunswick Gazette, New Brunswick
New Jersey Journal, Elizabeth Town     (nameplate)
Trenton Mercury

New York

Click here to see the first newspaper article in New York informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on New York Newpapers (pdf)

Albany Gazette
Albany Journal
American Magazine, New York
Country Journal, Poughkeepsie    (nameplate)
Daily Advertiser, New York      (nameplate)
Hudson Weekly Gazette
Impartial Gazetteer, New York
Independent Journal, New York       (nameplate)
New York Gazetteer
New York Journal (pdf)      (nameplate)
New York Morning Post      (nameplate)
New York Museum
New York Packet      (nameplate)
Northern Centinel, Lansingburgh 

North Carolina

North Carolina Gazette, Edenton
North Carolina Gazette, New Bern
State Gazette of North Carolina, New Bern     (nameplate)
Wilmington Centinel 

Pennsylvania

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Pennsylvania informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on Pennsylvania Newspapers (pdf)

American Museum, Philadelphia (pdf)      
Carlisle Gazette     (nameplate)
Columbian Magazine, Philadelphia
Evening Chronicle, Philadelphia
Federal Gazette, Philadelphia
Freeman’s Journal, Philadelphia (pdf)     (nameplate)
Germantauner Zeitung
Independent Gazetteer, Philadelphia (pdf)     (nameplate)
Lancaster Zeitung     (nameplate)
Pennsylvania Chronicle, York
Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia (pdf)
Pennsylvania Herald, Philadelphia (pdf)     (nameplate)
Pennsylvania Journal, Philadelphia       (nameplate)
Pennsylvania Mercury, Philadelphia     (nameplate)
Pennsylvania Packet, Philadelphia      (nameplate)
Philadelphische Correspondenz
Pittsburgh Gazette

Rhode Island

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Rhode Island informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Newport Herald     (nameplate)
Newport Mercury    (nameplate)
Providence Gazette   (nameplate)
United States Chronicle, Providence (pdf)     (nameplate) 

South Carolina

Charleston Morning Post/City Gazette    (nameplate)
Columbian Herald, Charleston     (nameplate)
South Carolina Weekly Chronicle, Charleston
State Gazette of South Carolina, Charleston     (nameplate)

Virginia

Click here to see the first newspaper article in Virginia informing the public of the Adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.

Essay on Virginia Newspapers (pdf)

Kentucke Gazette, Lexington
Norfolk and Portsmouth Journal, Norfolk    (nameplate)
Virginia Centinel, Winchester
Virginia Gazette, Petersburg
Virginia Gazette, Winchester
Virginia Gazette and Independent Chronicle, Richmond
Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Richmond      (nameplate)
Virginia Herald, Fredericksburg     (nameplate)
Virginia Independent Chronicle, Richmond
Virginia Journal, Alexandria      (nameplate)

Vermont

Vermont Gazette, Bennington    (nameplate)
Vermont Journal, Windsor      (nameplate)