201
collect, and promised to

be careful to mention, occasionally, the source
of his information, and to avoid, above all
things, the confounding of authentic facts with
uncertain rumor, or vague surmise;

he would "spread the advertisements of individuals"
and he would maintain a strict impartiality in matters
of controversy. He apologized for his types, which
were "not a little worn," but if he met with reason-
able encouragement, he would publish the Maryland

Herald "not only on a more beautiful and perfect

letter, but on a larger scale.¹³ He had agreed to

publish the Maryland Herald as soon as five hundred
subscribers were found who would pay two dollars a
year;¹⁴ but started with a subscription list of only
three hundred.¹⁵

That Cowan's paper did perform a public service
in spite of inadequate support is indicated in a letter
to the editor, dated Miles River, May, 1791, and
signed "Z":

The printer of the Herald (and the writer of
this can vouch for the truth) is at once com-
positor - collator - selector - searcher -
worker of press - and devil... The Eastern
Shore will, I hope, rouse from the lethargy
which has hitherto suppressed their activity,
in behalf of the press... If a press is to be
of public service, you owe it to yourselves,
to your posterity, and your community, to

13 Maryland herald. (Easton) May 11, 1790.

14 Wheeler, op. cit. p. 73.

15 Herald and Eastern shore advertiser. November
13, 1804.