The Pennsylvania Gazette - May 6th, 1756

                I chose an issue that was published on my birthday, May 6^th, in the year 1756. I found the Pennsylvania Gazette to be both intriguing and a bit disturbing while I was reading it. It seemed that there was much to do with war, battles, and murders both on the American front and across Europe. The initial picture that the paper paints is one of mass murder and death that is perpetrated by the Native Americans. Certainly, the opening piece that is posted in this issue of the gazette is a call to arms for the townspeople of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania against the Delaware Indians and the atrocities they had been committing, according to the Lieutenant Governor. While there is a qualifier towards the end of the proclamation that some of the Native Americans have chosen to act against the Delaware as well, the overlying message that seems to get across is that the Native Americans in general are responsible for the inhumanities described. Even after the issues with the Delaware Indians have been stated, the Pennsylvania Gazette spends the better part of two pages describing battles and war movements of England, France, and Spain. Violence seems to be at the forefront of news in the paper. I found it interesting, however, that the newspaper included viewpoints from several different European countries instead of just those directly from England in its foreign affairs section.

            One thing I found to be particularly unusual, by today’s standards, was the section about Shipping News. Documentation was put in the paper of all the people who had arrived or departed from the Philadelphia Custom House for the month. Not only was their name documented, but also the city they were arriving from or departing to was printed in the paper along with the ship the person had traveled upon. It is impossible to imagine in today’s society for the newspaper, or any news source really, to spend time documenting all of the people who arrived in Philadelphia by plane for one day, let alone an entire month! Franklin’s Philadelphia operated on a much tighter knit community than any modern city could attempt today.

            I was amazed by the sheer amount of advertisements in the Pennsylvania Gazette that were concerned with run-aways, deserters, and selling slaves or servants. While I was well aware that all of these things occurred in 18^th century Pennsylvania, it is still quite shocking to see them in print on a newspaper that would have been available for every citizen to read.

Rewards were posted for capturing run-away men right alongside rewards for turning in a lost coat. In some cases, the reward for returning the coat was even larger than it was for returning a run-away servant! In addition, postings for selling slaves were put alongside advertisements for selling hardware and livestock. The value of a human life, if it was that of a servant or a slave, seemed to be worth very little in accordance with its insignificance in the newspaper.

            Although it is a bit expected, I was surprised at how long it took me to get through the paper because of the style and extensive amount of writing. It took me quite a while to overlook the way that the letter ‘s’ was printed in the paper so that I was able to read without trying to decipher each word. I also found that it was difficult for me to read straight through the paper without taking a break to re-focus on what I was reading about to begin with. This undoubtedly shows a distinct difference between the reading habits of the average reader of today and the reader of the 18^th century. I am sure that most readers in Franklin’s time would have been able to read straight through the Pennsylvania Gazette in one sitting without a problem.

Mary Rowlandson's View of Affliction

            I have always been fascinated by Native American captivity stories and Mary Rowlandson’s narrative did not disappoint. I found it interesting, although not completely surprising, that Rowlandson does not mention much of her settlement’s relationship with the Native Americans before their attack on the town. The scene is described as if the attack came out of nowhere, highly unlikely considering the English treatment of the Native Americans in many situations. However, whether the attack was warranted or not, Rowlandson’s grief at the onset of the attack and her initial captivity is tangible in her prose as she witnesses the burning of her belongings and the murders of her friends and loved ones. At times it seems she uses a third person view in an attempt to offset how painful the memories are in her recollection.

            Towards the end of her narrative, Rowlandson seems to observe that the Native Americans were not entirely cold-hearted beings after all. Although her story is one-sided at the beginning, the end seems to bring a slight sense of understanding to her. She notes that the “Lord preserved them” in their lives even when the English did their best to eliminate their sources of food and shelter. She also admits that one “Indian” offered to help her run away and take her home to her family. Even through her plight, it is interesting to me that Rowlandson still makes a point to mention the Native Americans in a way that does not entirely shed a negative light on them.

             It is clear that the Puritan idea of the “Doctrine of Affliction” influences Mary Rowlandson’s mindset at her captivity and restoration to her family. Throughout her struggles, she makes a point to note that it “pleased God” or that it was by “the wonderful power of God” that she was afflicted with this captivity and brought through it to make her stronger in her faith towards God. This idea is hard for me to wrap my mind around as a modern day American. If I lost everything I owned with little chance of replacing it, watched my friends and family die, and was captured by the “heathens” who had committed the entire crime, I feel as though my anger towards God would significantly outweigh my thankfulness for the affliction that he had given me to strengthen my faith. Rowlandson makes a point, albeit with some resentment, to thank God at every turn in her story.