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Carriers' Addresses: New Year's Greetings

Topics and Themes in Carriers' Addresses

Many Carriers' Addresses are humorous in nature; others review the events of the past year, noting the deaths of famous persons or American presidents. Foreign affairs of the day are often prominently featured, and at midcentury the issues of slavery and the Civil War are frequent topics. Poems of a patriotic nature are commonly seen, and the growth of the country through immigration often mentioned. The press comments on itself, and the very active religious press presents its perspective on the events of the day. Perhaps most illuminating today are the poems that comment on the fads, fashions, and inventions of their day. And sometimes, the carrier just wants a tip!

Humorous Poems

New Year's address by the carriers, to the patrons of the Microcosm. Providence, January 1, 1826.
Providence: [Walter R. Danforth], 1826.
A humorous poem discusses the pronunciation--"Mickro" or "Mike"--and meaning--"A Little World"--of theweekly paper.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Address of the carriers of the Tickler, to their patrons, on the commencement of the New Year, 1813.
[Philadelphia: George Helmbold], 1813.
The humorous poem uses Pennsylvania Dutch dialect in the second and third columns.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Presented to the subscribers of the Newport Daily News. By the carrier, January 1, 1881.
Newport, [R.I.: Orin F. Jackson], 1881
The poem complains that Father Time's Almanack (the calendar at left and above) leaves hardly room for a "modest rhyme."
Harris Broadsides Collection

The Berks and Schuylkill Journal, carriers' annual address.
[Reading, Pa.: J. Knapp & Co.], 1870.
The humorous poem features a dialogue between the carrier and his patron, ending with the gift of a quarter tip and the carrier's good wishes.
Harris Broadsides Collection

American Presidents

New Year's address of the carrier of the National Journal.
Washington: [P. Force], 1827.
An address published in the capital city describes, without mentioning their names, the deaths of both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on the Fourth of July, 1826: "On the wings of an angel, commissioned on high, They mounted triumphant, and soar'd through the sky." In this case the bold black-and-white border might refer to a time of national mourning.
Harris Broadsides Collection

New-Year's address.
Newport, [R.I.: Solomon Southwick], 1813.
The format of the carriers' address from the Newport Mercury resembles a fringed and embroidered handkerchief or scarf. The poem portrays the horrors of war abroad and the dangers of flattery and malice at home, ending with praise of the dead George Washington.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Annual address of the carrier to the patrons and friendsof the Kingston Journal. January first, 1856.
Kingston, [N.Y.: W.H. Romeyn], 1856.
The poet grumbles at being forced to write at Christmas time. In passing, he criticizes President Franklin Pierce: "Mr. Pierce--our great OKing Log,' Is but a heavy, stupid mystery." One of the examples of carriers' addresses where the name of the carrier is given. In the illustration advertising the press women are shown working alongside men.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Slavery and The Civil War

Carrier's address, to the patrons of the Albany Evening Journal.January 1, 1844.
Albany: [B.D. Packard & Co.], 1844.
Poem praises American progress but warns of trouble ahead "if the North looks cold and proud, And if the South scowls fierce and dark."
Harris Broadsides Collection

To the patrons of the Merchants and Planters Journal for 1839.
Mobile, Ala.: [Wilson & Stuart], 1839.
The "News carrier's address" proclaims: "The slave hath not a load to bear More heavy than his master's care."
Harris Broadsides Collection

The carriers' New Year's address to the patrons of the Newport Daily News. January 1st, 1862.
Newport, [R.I.: Orin F. Jackson], 1862.
The ornaments of the frame and the contents of the poem refer to the newly begun Civil War, "Freedom and Tyranny grappling for life."
Harris Broadsides Collection.

Carrier boys' New Year address to the patrons of the Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser Wednesday, January 1, 1862.
Rochester, N.Y.: Daily Union], 1862.
A warlike and patriotic Civil War poem includes a separate "Battle song of union."
Harris Broadsides Collection





Foreign Affairs

Address of the carriers of the Salem Mercury, to their patrons, on the commencement of the New Year, 1833.
Salem, Mass.: Mercury, 1833.
Under the patronage of a gigantic eagle, the poem mentions the civil war in Portugal and the strife in the Netherlands which led to the independence of Belgium. It ends with a reproach to South Carolina for talk of Nullification:"But Carolina's kingdom must come down,--Beneath the Union's laws--the People's frown."
Harris Broadsides Collection

The carrier's address for 1832. To the patrons of the Gazette and Palladium.
Kennebunk, Me.: Gazette, 1832.
Poem begins with weather in the United States and ends with references to female power in national affairs; the central section concerns the failure of the Polish revolt against Russia and prays for a future "Fayette or Washington" to free Poland from Russian tyranny.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Carrier's address. Beacon. Christmas 1851.
[Norfolk, Va.: Wm. E. Cunningham & Co.], 1851.
The poem praises the Hungarian rebel Lajos Kossuth as a "noble refugee" and welcomes him to a free country.
Harris Broadsides Collection.


Carriers' address to the patrons of the Daily Times. January 1, 1861.
[United States: Daily Times], 1861.
Father Time shows the poet Garibaldi's victory in Italy as well as massacres of Christians in Syria and the visit to MountVernon of the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII. The poem ends with denunciations of secession and rebellion.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Carriers' address for the Southern Argus.
Norfolk, [Va.: S.T. Sawyer], 1849.
The poem mentions affairs in Europe and alludes to hopes of annexing Canada, discusses youth, age and love, and ends with a wish for a merry Christmas Day.
Harris Broadsides Collection

The news-boys' address to the patrons of the Augusta Herald.
Augusta, [Ga.: G.F. Randolph & W.J. Bunce], 1809.
The poet praises the Spaniards for overthrowing Napoleon's veteran army and criticizes the American embargo on trade with Europe and the postponement of debt payments.
Harris Broadsides Collection

New Year's address of the carriers of the Albany Evening Atlas, to their patrons. January 1, 1846.
Albany: [French & Cassidy], 1846.
The poem hopes for eventual freedom for famine-stricken Ireland, "Whose starving hosts by millions pray," and urges its readers to "Think of the poor."
Harris Broadsides Collection

The carriers of Relf's Philadelphia Gazette, to its patrons. January 1st, 1810.
Philadelphia: [S. Relf], 1810.
Referring to the Napoleonic Wars, the poem blames both "John Bull" and "dashing Nap, Who kills whole nations with a slap" for their attacks on American shipping.
Harris Broadsides Collection

The Press

Address to the generous patrons of the Weekly Museum, wishing them a Happy New-Year.
[New York: John Harrison], 1795.
After a short paean to the power of a free press, the poem addresses the newsboy's need for Cash.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Annual address of the carriers & newsmen of the New-York Herald, on the opening of the year 1851.
New York: [J.G. Bennett], 1851.
The poet recommends union and freedom, and calls the Herald a "mental chronometer of days and deeds."
Harris Broadsides Collection

New Year's address to the patrons of the Star. January 1, 1856.
Mechanicville, N.Y.: [C. Smith & Co.], 1856.
The carriers' address of the Mechanicville Morning Star, less carefully proofread and printed than most, apologizes for being the work of an inky "printer's devil."
Harris Broadsides Collection

American Patriotism and the Melting Pot

Address of the carriers to the patrons of the Globe.
Washington]: [F.P. Blair], 1832.
Despite the motto in the arch, "The world is governed too much," this poem has nothing but praise for "Freedom's natural home."
Harris Broadsides Collection

Carrier's address to the readers of the Chicago Daily Tribune. January 1, 1855.
Chicago: [Wheeler, Stewart & Scripps], 1855.
At a time of increased immigration to the United States, Uncle Sam welcomes immigrants and bids them forget the past.
Harris Broadsides Collection

The New Year's address of the carriers of the Southern Banner, to their patrons and friends, on the advent of the year 1842.
[Athens, Ga.: Albon Chase], 1842.
The poem's theme is change, in human life and in politics. "Change rules our land--how hath our country thriven."
Harris Broadsides Collection

Carrier's address to the patrons of the Daily Evening Journal. January 1, 1853.
[San Francisco: Pinkham, Gee & Co.], 1853.
After mentioning the deaths of Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, the poem alludes to the California Gold Rush by listing the immigrants coming from Europe and China to the "quartz rock of gold."
Harris Broadsides Collection

Religion

Address to the patrons of the Christian Mirror. January 1, 1825.
[Portland, Me.: Arthur Shirley], 1825.
This religious poem emulates English poets, mentioning Milton, Young, Cowper, Gray and Watts but not one American poet.
Harris Broadsides Collection

The carrier's Christmas and New-Year rhymes to the patrons of the American Presbyterian.
[Philadelphia: Presbyterian House, 1864]
The religious poem hopes for a "year of Peace."
Harris Broadsides Collection

New Year's address of the carriers of the Philadelphia Evening Journal. January 1, 1858.
Philadelphia: [Grayson, Irwin & Montgomery], 1858.
An optimistic poem about the glorious future of human progress guided by God.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Freemasonry

The New Year's address, of the carrier of the Masonic Mirror, to his patrons, January, 1830.
Boston, 1830.
A dialogue, with songs, between Time and the Carrier. The border combines patriotic and Masonic symbols.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Modern Life, Fashions, and Inventions

The carrier's address of the New York Herald to their patrons.
New York: [J.G. Bennett], 1848.
"Ch-e-o-u-gh!--there she starts!"--chough--chuff!--look out!--ding! dong! The Carrier's coming with his New-Year's song!" The railroad theme runs through the entire poem, which praises the Herald especially for its use of the telegraph.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Address of the carriers of the Philadelphia Evening Journal. 1859.
Philadelphia: [F.W. Grayson & Co.], 1859.
In allegorical terms the poem refers to the laying of the Atlantic cable between North America and Europe.
Harris Broadsides Collection



The carrier's address, to the patrons of the Democratic Freeman. Syracuse, January 1, 1845.
Syracuse, N.Y.: Tucker & Kinney, Fancy Job Printers, 1845.
The poem, printed on Tucker's "new Electro Magnetic Machine," discusses topics ranging from "Old Time" to the Village of Syracuse.
Harris Broadsides Collection

The carrier's New Year's address to the patrons of the "Knoxville Register."
Knoxville, Tenn.: [Jas. C. Moses, 185-?]
There is no mention of the date in the poem or its border, but lines about the ladies in their "Hoops" resembling balloons, while no reference is made to the Civil War, indicate the 1850s.
Harris Broadsides Collection

New Year's address, 1840. of the carrier of the Mayville Sentinel, to his patrons.
Mayville, [N.Y.: B. Brockway], 1840.
The poem advises the patrons to read all the newspaper advertisements for medicines that promise to cure all human ills, and wishes them fat pigs and fat children.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Carriers' New Year's address to the patrons of the Albany Morning Express. January 1, 1850.
Albany: Morning Express, 1850.
The carrier describes the newspaper, with its advertisements, tales, current news, marriage announcements and obituaries. He then declares that financial ruin has been followed by "blessed abundance" and wishes further blessings for his patrons.
Harris Broadsides Collection

Carriers' address to the patrons of the Daily Picayune. New Orleans, January 1, 1858.
New Orleans: Picayune, 1858.
The poem is addressed only to its women readers, and urges them to give up fashion and makeup and guide "stern man" to "honor and worth."
Harris Broadsides Collection






Just a Tip, Please!

The carrier boys' address to the patrons of the Adrian Times and Expositor.
Adrian, [Mich.: Applegate & Fee], 1872.
The names of the four carriers, beginning with Charlie Humphrey in the First Ward, are distributed around the border of the poem.
Harris Broadsides Collection

New Year's address of the carrier of the Weekly Museum, to his patrons.
[New York], 1808.
The "simple newsboy" praises all his customers and asks a tip; politics and news events are not mentioned.
Harris Broadsides Collection

The news-boy's address to the patrons of the Northern Budget.
[Lansingburgh, N.Y.: Robert Moffitt & Zebulon Lyon], 1801.
The date January 1, 1801 is inscribed in the keystone of the arch along with 16 stars for the 16 states in the United States at this time.The first poem is the boy's request for a tip, the second, "A new song, for a new century," passes over the usual topics and puts them off till another year.
Harris Broadsides Collection

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