AustLit

In the latter half of this attack on the [Hobart Town] Courier newspaper, the writer (probably the editor of the Cornwall Chronicle William Lushington Goodwin), in response to a request by a gentlemen 'to forward to him the Chronicle, "as he intends giving up the Courier - there being nothing in it"' gives his thoughts on newspapers: 'In all newspapers - there is subject enough to amuse and to instruct. It is the honesty of a Newspaper in its political principles that gives it influence, and entitles it to public support ... Newspapers are the mirrors in which are reflected, the people's habit and character, as truly as the Editor's articles and the communications of correspondents, shew the political character of a people, so do the advertising columns shew their mercantile and commercial character - and, indeed, their moral character. The newspapers furnish an unerring standard of the character of a community, and as they point it out, so they form it ... we desire not that any person should withdraw his patronage from another Journal in our favor, merely because he can find nothing in it to read.'

Report of a trial for libel against the editor of the Cornwall Chronicle, William Lushington Goodwin. Goodwin published an article entitled 'George Town' in the 6 January 1838 issue of the Cornwall Chronicle which was seen as libeling the Launceston port officer and resident magistrate of George Town, Matthew Curling Friend. Goodwin and Friend were in a long running feud that escalated in 1838. The article is not separately indexed.