19

citizens, out many reasons, of an interesting na-
ture, have indued me to relinquish, for some
time, the printing business. I trust 1 have
served the public with uprightness, and am per-
suaded that the idkily publication, under my care,
has been conducted agreeably to the principles of
freedom, decency, and virtue. It is near twenty-
four years since the commencement of the Maryland
Journal it has received the public patronage
and encouragement - and it is my ardent wish that
it may in future continue to do so. ⁵¹

On January 2, 1797, the paper was taken over by
David Pinchete Preebairn. Little is known about the
new editor. According to the law passed on December
24, 1795 ty the General Assembly of Maryland, Free-
bairn was granted relief from his debts.⁵² The law
gives no inkling of the business Preebairn had been
persuing, or of any circumstance of the case.

In his first issue, Preebairn printod for the
benefit of his subscribers "an ecomiastic address, ex-
tolling the excellence and advantage of the present
undertaking."⁵⁵ He stressed the time during which the
paper had been "a vehicle of communication to every
corner of the state," and paid tribute to the efforts
of the original proprietor to increase its circulation
and enhance its reputation. Put it had "lately been
eclipsed, and suffered from a variety of impediments";
Preebairn was "determined to do his utmost towards re-

51 Maryland journal*. December 30, 1796.

52 Maryland. Laws, statutes, etc. Laws of Maryland,
1795, chapter LXXXIV.

53 Maryland journal. Janumiy 2, 1797.