Trove Tuesday - "Thus We Hope To Prosper"

I couldn't let today pass without acknowledging the birthday of Australia's first newspaper - The Sydney Gazette And New South Wales Advertiser. Volume 1 Number 1 was published by authority of Governor King on Saturday 5 March 1803, 210 years ago.

Originally issued weekly, the newspaper was published, edited, typeset and printed by George Howe - a convict who had arrived in Sydney (AUS) in November 1800. An introductory address by Howe appeared on the first page of the first issue and reads:

ADDRESS

Innumerable as the Obstacles were which threatened to oppose our Undertaking, yet we are happy to affirm that they were not insurmountable, however difficult the task before us. The utility of a PAPER in the COLONY, as it must open a source of solid information, will we hope, be universally felt and acknowledged, We have courted the assistance of the INGENIOUS and INTELLIGENT :--- We open no channel to Political Discussion, or Personal Animadversion :--- Information is our only purpose; that accomplished, we shall consider that we have done our duty, in an exertion to merit the Approbation of the PUBLIC, and to secure a liberal Patronage to the Sydney Gazette.

Source: [No heading]. (1803, March 5). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 1. Retrieved March 5, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page5653

Today, everyone can view these early newspapers through the National Library of Australia's wonderful and revolutionary search service known as TROVE.

Take time out and see what treasures you can find...