May 26, 1806. The first number of the “Long Island Weekly Intelligencer,” published by Mess’rs. Robinson and Little.
June 1, 1809. The first number of the “Long Island Star,” published by Thomas Kirk, Esq.
March 7, 1821. The first number of the “Long Island Patriot,” published by Geo. L. Birch, Esq.
In the month of November, 1810, proposals were issued by Benjamin F. Cowdrey, & Co. for establishing in Brooklyn a weekly newspaper, to be entitled “The Long-Island Journal, and American Freeman.” For some reason unknown to the compiler this paper was not published.
During the month of May, 1820, Brockholst Livingston, jun. issued proposals for publishing a weekly newspaper in this village, to be entitled the “Long-Island Republican.” Not meeting with sufficient encouragement, this attempt was abandoned.
The only two papers now in existence in this town, are “The Star,” published by Alden Spooner, Esq. and the “Long Island Patriot,” by George L. Birch, Esq.
Moral Character.
It is a delicate subject for a writer to treat of the morals of a people among whom he is a resident, lest by telling the truth too plainly, he awaken unpleasant feelings in the breasts of some whom perhaps he would not wish to offend. On the other hand, if glaring faults are slightly passed over, or palliated, it calls down on his devoted head all the envenomed attacks of malicious criticism. The compiler, however, flatters himself that neither will be the case in this instance.
The people of Brooklyn, it is true, cannot be considered as rigid in religious matters as the saints of Oliver Cromwell’s army, whose very cannon had on the inscription of “O Lord, open thou our lips, and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise!” But they are far from being irreligious; the churches are well filled, religious societies are liberally supported, vice discountenanced; and for the more effectual suppression thereof, in 1815, a society for the suppression of vice and immorality was formed, consisting of many of the most respectable inhabitants of the town. By the exertions of our Sunday school societies, attached to the different congregations, the morals of the younger part of the community have been greatly reformed; and it is highly gratifying to observe the improvement made in the general morals, of the town, in consequence of their benevolent exertions.