Description:

Isaiah Thomas
Boston, MA, April 24, 1786
Patriot Printer Isaiah Thomas, He Will Cease Publishing the Massachusetts Spy in Protest of Taxes: "cannot...continue the publication of a news-paper ignominiously fettered with a SHACKLE..."
Pair of Newspapers

The Massachusetts Gazette, April 24, 1786. Boston: Samuel Hall. Four pages, 12.5" x 20.5". A letter authored by patriot and printer Isaiah Thomas published on the front page of the Gazette in which Thomas announces he will stop publishing the Massachusetts Spy in response to recently passed taxes by the state of Massachusetts. Thomas founded the Massachusetts Spy in 1770 in Boston, and it became one of the most outspoken patriot newspapers before and during the Revolution. Evenly toned, with stab holes along the left margin from previous binding. Separations along horizontal folds and wear and creasing along exterior margins. Text remains complete.

Together with a July 10, 1786 issue of the Gazette, featuring reporting on the 10th anniversary of the "Declaration of American Independence" on July 4. Newspaper is disbound and has heavy wear. With tattered margins and loss thereat affecting some text.

The Massachusetts Spy was one of the loudest patriot voices and Thomas used it to spread revolutionary ideas, help sustain morale, and unify public opinion in support for the Revolutionary cause. In his letter, Thomas recounts his contributions to the fight for freedom and lauds XVI Article of the Bill of Rights citing "The liberty of the Press is essential to the security of freedom in a state; it ought not, therefore, to be refrained in this commonwealth."

He writes, speaking in the third person: "For himself he seriously views it as an infringement of our dear bought Rights and Privileges; and therefore cannot consistently with those principles and doctrines, which for years has proclaimed to the publick, continue the publication of a news-paper ignominiously fettered with a SHACKLE he has been taught to abhor."

Ironically, said taxes were imposed to help pay down the state's large debt from the Revolution. Printers like Thomas were required to pay annual licensing and stamp-style duties on advertisements, paper, and sometimes even on circulation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 12.5" x 20.5"
  • Medium: Pair of Newspapers

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October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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