A History of the Maryland Press, 1777-1790
offing, he took over the paper again. In his "Address to the Public"
on January 2, 1784, he stated:
"I am now determined to exert my utmost Abilities (in Union with my Sister M. K. Goddard)
towards rendering my Labours valuable and acceptable to a Candid and Generous Com-
munity ....."18
The colophon of this issue contained the names of both brother and
sister, but in the next issue, on January 6, her name was dropped and
the address of the printing office was changed from her Post Office to
Dr. Stevenson's Warehouse. It is possible that he brought out her
interest in the paper at this time, but hard feelings soon developed.
Rival almanacs were published in the fall of 1784 and his reference to
"a certain hypocritical character' who published the almanac "for the
dirty and mean purpose of Fraud and Deception" did not help to recon-
cile them. Soon after this she instituted five cases against him, probably
in connection with her financial interest in the printing business. When
Goddard was later accused by Langworthy of ill treating his sister, he
replied:
"(She)..... caused five Suits in one day, to be commenced against her only brother, to perplex,
harrass, and, if in her power, destroy his fairest hopes in life ... ,"19
There is no further evidence to indicate whether the quarrel was patched
up before Goddard left Baltimore, but it is difficult to believe that he
would allow anything to stand between himself and his sister, who re-
mained devoted to him throughout his difficulties, nursed him through
his frequent illnesses and even helped to protect him against the Balti-
more mob in 1777.
18 Maryland Journal, January 2, 1784.
19 Maryland Journal, November 14, 1786. The early papers of the Baltimore courts are unfortunately in such a chaotic
condition that record of these cases could not be found.
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