SOURCE: Forman, Samuel E. “The Democratic Editor.” In The Political Activities of Philip Freneau, pp. 35-79. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1902.

In the following excerpt, Forman discusses Freneau's position as editor of the National Gazette and the controversy that surrounded his work there.

The plan and purposes of the new paper were published at considerable length. The Gazette was to appear every Wednesday and Saturday;¹ the subscription price was to be three dollars per annum; the news published was to be of national character, especial attention being promised to the doings of the national government; the columns of the Gazette were to be open to all original and interesting productions whether prose or verse; political discussion was to be conducted with perfect fairness and the greatest latitude; the debates of congress and reports of departments were to be printed; all important books were to be reviewed; advertisements were...