To Cornes poullents.
The Editor has received a letter signed "Verity" it is too personal for insertion.
All letters & advertisements are to addressed to the Editor Stirling Hotel, Fremantle.
The Fremantle Journal
Saturday 27th Feby 1830.
"He that has much to do will do something wrong and of that wrong must suffer the consequences and if it were possible that he should always act rightly, yet when such numbers are to judge of his conduct the bad will censure and obstruct him by malevolence & the good sometimes by mistake" Dr Johnson.
The present age is unquestionably in many respects what may be called a liberal age, the Editor of the Fremantle Journal therefore trusts liberal encouragement will be given to the hazzardous undertaking he has commenced; he labors under extreme difficulty in being oblidged to introduce his journal in manuscript for a short period, the types are engaged & the Editor assures the independant settlers already arrived, that his whole duty shall be to promote their welfare as [far?] as the liberty of the Press will amit.
The Editor apprehends that some sort of inquisitorial examination will take place on the appearance of the Fremantle Journal by a certain class of human beings that abound in all parts of the Globe & style themselves Modern Critics but the censures & sarcasms shall not frustrate the Editors good intentions perfection or any thing like it in an undertaking like the present is almost impossible — a perfect production like a perfect man is
"a faultless monster which the world ne'er saw"—Some critics there are who sit down with a determination as it were to censure & condemn, they want no redeeming merit — no saving grace — their purpose is to damn — the Editor throws himself entirely on the liberality of the settlers, confident that when they find truth & candour to be his leading principles they will generously support him in his undertaking — Labor omnias vincit! His Excellency the Lieut Governor has kindly promised his support as long as the "Journal" is conducted in a proper manner. If as an impartial journal it is acknowledged by the public the Editor is certain of His Excellency's patronage at the same time the public [little?] a sincere but faithful friend will admonish if the Editor deviates from the straight forward road he has promised to tread.
Had it not been for tho universality of a newspaper what a miserable state of ignorance mankind would remain but thanks to our forefathers, we mortals of the present day, live in the age of wonders — within the last forty years New South Wales has increased in great magnitude & interest than we find spread over the history of three or 4 centuries of former times, & what has contributed more to its advancement than the 4 news-papers that are published at Sydney!!
Argumentum ad populum.
The Editor trusts that some allowance will be made for the little information the first number of the Fremantle Journal contains & respectfully informs his readers — that the second will be more worthy of its title.
The Editor has received a communication from Perth relating to an accident which lately occur'd by fire, & the benevolence of His Excellency in subscribing for the unfortunate sufferer together with a list of other Gentlemen who have kindly contributed to his loss. it will be inserted in the next number.
The circulating of News papers have increased to an astonishing extent in all new Colonies, on account of the particular support that have received. The "Fremantle Journal" with the support promised, will contain a weekly account of every interesting circumstance connected with Western Australia, & extracts from the latest journals of other Countries that will be forwarded regularly to the Editor
From various parts of the Country afflicting recitals are received from the settlers—the natives appearing determined to burn them out, How would a few missionaries answer? They might enlighten their minds and put a stop to the devouring Element
At the Post Masters office—(the Marquis of Anglesea) the following letters are unclaimed.
John Leach.
Thomas Hunt.
At the Colonial Secretary's Office Perth,
Fredc Lees—C. Brownall
C: H: Wright—John Adams
_p._4.png&oldid=14120685){kind=link}