20

gaining the former character of the Journal." He pleaded
for subscribers and advertisers, and informed his pub-
lic that he had ordered new apparatus for printing, in
a recent visit to Philadelphia, and it would arrive
as soon as navigation would permit. He apologized
for the suspension of the paper, due to the fire,
thanked the subscribers who did not withdraw, and
ended with the compliments of the season and the hope
that when the President of the United States, "our
old and faithful pilot, shall quit the helm of gov-
ernment, the crew may be prevented from mutiny, and
the ship from breakers."

The editor was disappointed in all his hopes,
except the last. The new apparatus did not arrive.
In the issue of February 28, he reviewed his promise
to endeavor to raise the reputation of the paper,
stated that his own exertions and expenses had boon
directed towards that end, but that "he expected, as
a recompense, a proportion, at least, of the favour
and patronage of his fellow-citizens."⁵⁴ He intimated
that public opinion was "not favourable towards the
continuance of its old and faithful mirror", and an-
nounced his own retirement as editor. ⁵⁵

54 Maryland Journal, February 28, 1797.
55 Ibid. February 28, 1797.