this time, too, our relations with France were exceedingly critical—­a circumstance which served to increase the trouble in financial matters.  Appreciating the anxiety which was generally felt on this subject, Mr. Bennett resolved to create a demand for “The Herald” among the business men of the country.  On the 13th of June, 1835, just five weeks after the establishment of the paper, he printed his first money article—­the first that ever appeared in an American newspaper.  It was as follows: 

     COMMERCIAL.

Stocks yesterday maintained their prices during the session of the Board, several going up.  Utica went up 2 per cent.; the others stationary.  Large quantities were sold.  After the Board adjourned and the news from France was talked over, the fancy stocks generally went down 1 to 1-1/2 per cent.; the other stocks quite firm.  A rally was made by the bulls in the evening under the trees, but it did not succeed.  There will be a great fight in the Board to-day.  The good people up town are anxious to know what the brokers think of Mr. Livingston.  We shall find out, and let them know.

The cotton and flour markets rallied a little.  The rise of cotton in Liverpool drove it up here a cent or so.  The last shippers will make 2-1/2 per cent.  Many are endeavoring to produce the impression that there will be a war.  If the impression prevails, naval stores will go up a good deal.  Every eye is outstretched for the “Constitution.”  Hudson, of the Merchants News Room, says he will hoist out the first flag.  Gilpin, of the Exchange News Room, says he will have her name down in his room one hour before his competitor.  The latter claims having beat Hudson yesterday by an hour and ten minutes in chronicling the “England.”

The money article was a success, and appeared regularly in “The Herald” after this.  It created a demand for the paper among the merchants, and increased its circulation so decidedly that at the end of the third month the daily receipts and expenditures balanced each other.  Mr. Bennett now ventured to engage a cheap police reporter, which gave him more time to attend to other duties.

The paper now seemed on the point of becoming a success, when it received a severe and unlooked-for blow.  The printing-office was burned down, and the gentlemen who had printed “The Herald” were so much discouraged that they refused to renew their connection with it.  Mr. Bennett knew that he was too near to success to abandon the enterprise, and courageously put his wits to work to devise means to carry on the paper.  By the greatest and most indomitable exertions he managed to secure the means of going on with it, and bravely resumed its publication alone.