A History of the Maryland Press, 1777-7790

tation of such Books as were usually circulated among us, both for the Use of Schools, and for
those of maturer Years. In short, our People are almost ignorant of the present State of Literature
in the different Kingdoms of Europe, and the Calls of our Country prevent many among us from
the Prosecution of their Studies. Such then is the present State of our Literary Affairs.—From a
Consideration of these Things, and after the maturest Deliberation, the Subscribers have deter-
mined speedily to open a Printing-Office in the Town of Baltimore, with the professed Design to
reprint, at as low a Price as possible, a Number of valuable Books, interesting to America, and espe-
cially to the rising Generation.— ....

Surely it must be agreeable to every benevolent Reader, to see an American Edition of the Works
of Addison, a Sterne, and a Goldsmith!—Surely it will please every Friend to Liberty and Public
Virtue, to read the Eloquence of a Junius, and a Macaulay, on American Paper!—These with many
other Writers, whose Labours have enlightened and blessed the World, will make their Appearance
among us, provided the Subscribers are seconded with the Favour of their Countryman.—They
mean to pay all their Attention to this Undertaking, as they will have no concern with any News-
Paper, nor any Profit therefrom; for they assure the Public they renounce all Share in that Business,
and only wish the Printress of the Maryland Journal, &c. may meet with that Encouragement from
the Public, which her Assiduity and Care shall merit.

The Subscribers will have Occasion hereafter to address the Public, on the Subject of their
Design .....

[signed] W. Goddard, E. Oswald

Although none were printed, the importance of the project in the liter-
ary history of Maryland should not be overlooked, nor should it be disre-
garded in a study of the dependence of the United States on England
and Europe during the eighteenth and early decades of the nineteenth
century. Goddard's project was a fore-runner of such publishing pro-
grams as that which began in 1818, when James and John Harper
printed Locke's Essay upon Human Understanding as first in the series
of reprints which became famous as Harper's Family Library.

During the period of his comparative obscurity, Goddard was closely
affiliated with the Elkridge paper mill which was probably founded
shortly after the establishment of the Maryland Journal. After Novem-
ber 1775, notices appeared in almost every issue offering to exchange
money, books, writing paper and stationery for linen rags which could
be used in the manufacture of paper. On May 26, 1776, James Dorsett
was granted by the Maryland Convention four hundred pounds common
money with which to establish a paper mill whose product would com-
pete favorably with that of the Pennsylvania mills.14 Unfortunately, no
record has been found of a transaction by which the Goddard Press
assumed control of the Elkridge mill, but it was only natural that the
concern which consumed the largest proportion of its output should
become closely allied with its management. A typical advertisement
showing the close connection between the producer and the consumer

14 Preceedings of ike Convention of the Province of Maryland,... eighth of May, 1776. Annapolis, Green, p. 28.

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