Newspapers played a crucial role in the Revolutionary war and continued to be prominent through the Ratification Period. Although the public debate at the time was highly polemic, most newspaper editors proclaimed that their newspapers were unbiased and open to all. This could be a tricky balancing act that periodically put publishers in a bind especially during the Ratification debates. To access a more thorough discussion of the role of newspapers during the Ratification Period go to Newspapers and the Debate over the Ratification of the Constitution.
Newspaper editors in conjunction with the Post Office created a primitive press network that saw a fairly wide circulation of news and polemic essays throughout the nation. But even this system was not without its controversies. For an extended explanation of this news network and how it figured in the Ratification debates, see The Controversy Over the Post Office and the Circulation of Papers.
Below you will find a brief bibliographical explanation of the newspapers in each state by clicking on the state heading. We have assembled some detailed notes regarding some of the major newspapers of the time. Clicking on these specific newspaper names will give you access to this additional information.
Connecticut
Connecticut Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Connecticut informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Connecticut Newspapers
- American Mercury, Hartford (masthead)
- Connecticut Courant, Hartford (masthead)
- Connecticut Gazette, New London (masthead)
- Connecticut Journal, New Haven (masthead)
- Fairfield Gazette (masthead)
- Middlesex Gazette, Middletown (masthead)
- New Haven Chronicle
- New Haven Gazette (masthead)
- Norwich Packet (masthead)
- Weekly Monitor, Litchfield (masthead)
Delaware
Delaware Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Delaware informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Delaware Newspapers
- Delaware Courant, Wilmington
- Delaware Gazette, Wilmington (masthead)
Georgia
Georgia Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Georgia informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Georgia Newspapers
- Gazette of the State of Georgia, Savannah
- Georgia State Gazette, Augusta
Maryland
Maryland Newspapers during Ratification
Maryland Newspapers
- Maryland Chronicle, Fredericktown (masthead)
- Maryland Gazette, Annapolis (masthead)
- Maryland Gazette, Baltimore
- Maryland Journal, Baltimore (masthead)
- Palladium of Freedom, Baltimore
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Massachusetts informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Massachusetts Newspapers
- American Herald, Boston (masthead)
- American Recorder, Charlestown
- Berkshire Chronicle, Pittsfield
- Boston Gazette (masthead)
- Continental Journal, Boston
- Cumberland Gazette, Portland, Maine (masthead)
- Essex Journal, Newburyport (masthead)
- Hampshire Chronicle, Springfield (masthead)
- Hampshire Gazette, Northampton (masthead)
- Herald of Freedom, Boston
- Independent Chronicle, Boston (masthead)
- Massachusetts Centinel, Boston (masthead)
- Massachusetts Gazette, Boston (masthead)
- Salem Mercury (masthead)
- Worcester Magazine/Massachusetts Spy (masthead)
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in New Hampshire informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
New Hampshire Newspapers
- Freeman’s Oracle, Exeter (masthead)
- New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth (masthead)
- New Hampshire Mercury, Portsmouth (masthead)
- New Hampshire Recorder, Keene (masthead)
- New Hampshire Spy, Portsmouth (masthead)
New Jersey
New Jersey Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in New Jersey informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
New Jersey Newspapers
- Brunswick Gazette, New Brunswick
- New Jersey Journal, Elizabeth Town (masthead)
- Trenton Mercury
New York
New York Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in New York informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
New York Newspapers
- Albany Gazette
- Albany Journal
- American Magazine, New York
- Country Journal, Poughkeepsie (masthead)
- Daily Advertiser, New York (masthead)
- Hudson Weekly Gazette
- Impartial Gazetteer, New York
- Independent Journal, New York (masthead)
- New York Gazetteer
- New York Journal (masthead)
- New York Morning Post (masthead)
- New York Museum
- New York Packet (masthead)
- Northern Centinel, Lansingburgh
North Carolina
North Carolina Newspapers during Ratification
North Carolina Newspapers
- North Carolina Gazette, Edenton
- North Carolina Gazette, New Bern
- State Gazette of North Carolina, New Bern (masthead)
- Wilmington Centinel
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Pennsylvania informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Pennsylvania Newspapers
- American Museum, Philadelphia
- Carlisle Gazette (masthead)
- Columbian Magazine, Philadelphia
- Evening Chronicle, Philadelphia
- Federal Gazette, Philadelphia
- Freeman’s Journal, Philadelphia (masthead)
- Germantauner Zeitung
- Independent Gazetteer, Philadelphia (masthead)
- Lancaster Zeitung (masthead)
- Pennsylvania Chronicle, York
- Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania Herald, Philadelphia (masthead)
- Pennsylvania Journal, Philadelphia (masthead)
- Pennsylvania Mercury, Philadelphia (masthead)
- Pennsylvania Packet, Philadelphia (masthead)
- Philadelphische Correspondenz
- Pittsburgh Gazette
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Rhode Island informing the public of the adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Rhode Island Newspapers
- Newport Herald (masthead)
- Newport Mercury (masthead)
- Providence Gazette (masthead)
- United States Chronicle, Providence (masthead)
South Carolina
South Carolina Newspapers during Ratification
South Carolina Newspapers
- Charleston Morning Post/City Gazette (masthead)
- Columbian Herald, Charleston (masthead)
- South Carolina Weekly Chronicle, Charleston
- State Gazette of South Carolina, Charleston (masthead)
Vermont
Vermont Newspapers during Ratification
Vermont Newspapers
- Vermont Gazette, Bennington (masthead)
- Vermont Journal, Windsor (masthead)
Virginia
Virginia Newspapers during Ratification
Click here to see the first newspaper article in Virginia informing the public of the Adjournment of the Convention and announcing the proposed Constitution.
Virginia Newspapers
- Kentucke Gazette, Lexington
- Norfolk and Portsmouth Journal, Norfolk (masthead)
- Virginia Centinel, Winchester
- Virginia Gazette, Petersburg
- Virginia Gazette, Winchester
- Virginia Gazette and Independent Chronicle, Richmond
- Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Richmond (masthead)
- Virginia Herald, Fredericksburg (masthead)
- Virginia Independent Chronicle, Richmond
- Virginia Journal, Alexandria (masthead)