91

On March 23, 1795, the first number of the Balti-

more Telegraphe made its appearance, published by
Clayland, Dobbin and Company. Clayland and Dobbin
were clearly the printers, but exactly who the "Com-
pany" was, and their relation to the editorial policy
of the paper, are difficult to determine. According
to the Telegraphe's address "To the Public",

it will ... be assisted, in its selection, by
a number of literary gentlemen, from the united
exertions of whose abilities, we may promise
the public an accurate and judicious compila-
tion, replete with every species of informa-
tion, necessary for the citizen and man of
business. In the prosecution of this work,
the editors profess a constant adherence to
republican principles, and the strictest im-
partiality towards those, whose political
creed may be different.⁶⁰

According to an article of considerably later date,

written by the vituperative pen of Matthew Frown of
the Federal Gazette;

In 1795, Mr. Dobbin, with the foreign egg-
shell on his head, was placed with paste and
scissors over the Telegraphe, to marr and
blurr the fair name of President Washington.
He continued his foul work, as may be seen from
its files, till the company which gave it ex-
istence became bankrupt. He then became pro-
prietor, and as far as the importunate threats
of his security in the bonds to the company
would permit, took a neutral stand, and know-
ing his own bankruptcy would be the result of
a contrary conduct, was considered for sane
time as tolerably impartial.⁶¹

But, in the opinion of the writer, there is little

60 Baltimore telegraphe. March 24, 1795.

61 federal gazette. October 18, 1802.