"Californian" Newspaper
The Californian was the first printed newspaper on the Zamorano Press as well as the first newspaper in California. Its first editors were Robert B. Semple and Walter Colton. Semple was an unusual sight during this time period as he was over six feet tall and was often teased about his height.
Together, Semple and Colton published the first issue of the Californian on August 15th, 1846. “The size of the sheet was 11 ¾ by 10 ¼ inches, or a little larger than common foolscap. The paper used was the coarse Spanish article of that size, used both for writing and cigarito wrappers' ' (Kremble 56-57). It was printed in Monterey, California. Soon though, in April the next year, Colton’s name was dropped from the paper and Semple became the only editor.
On May 6th, 1847, the last issue of the Californian was printed in Monterey, because Semple decided to make the decision and move the press and paper to San Francisco without giving his readers any notice. This act angered Monterey residents as they believed that the press belonged to the area not to Semple. Thus, the first issue of the Californian that was printed in San Francisco was on May 22nd, 1847. “It came out on a sheet eighteen by twenty two inches in size; more than double the “Monterey” version. The columns, three and one-half inches wide, were placed three to a page of the four page paper” (Hall 630). But, not long after, Semple decided to sell the Californian on July 17th, 1847. “Even before Semple sold the Californian, a fight for readers had developed between the two newspapers. Even though the total population of San Francisco was only four hundred and fifty-nine persons, eighty-nine of whom couldn’t read” (Hall 632). One might call this fight between newspapers to be a little petty. Soon the newspapers started outright dissing each other.
In it’s June 21st, 1847 issue, the California Star put in it’s newspaper, “We are the only independent paper, and the only paper of a respectable size and typographical appearance…We have the only office in all California in which a decent looking paper can be published…”(qtd. Hall 632).. Essentially, the California Star is stating that it is the only newspaper that is worth it ang of good quality which indirectly means that the Californian is not qualified. In response, the Californian responded with, “We have just received the first two numbers of a new paper just commenced in San Francisco. It is issued upon a small but very neat sheet, at six dollars per annum. It is published and owned by S. Brannan, the leader of the Mormons, who was brought up by Joseph Smith himself, and is consequently well qualified to unfold and impress the tenets of his sect” (qtd. Hall 632). Essentially, it is trying to put the entire Star paper under bad review because a Mormon was the editor and thus is forcing his religion on the paper.
This response did not bode well with Brannan, who in turn, replied quite directly, “We have received two late numbers of the Californian, a dim, dirty little paper printed on the worn out material of one of the old California war presses. It is published and edited by a lying sycophant… At the top of one of the papers we find the words, “please exchange.”” (qtd. Hall 632).
This newspaper rivalry was pretty much one of the first within the California territory and thus set the tone for how future newspapers were conducted and interacted.
If you would like to take a closer look of more Newspapers by the Californian or Californian Star click on the link below.
Californian 22 May 1847 - California Digital Newspaper Collection
California Digital Newspaper Collection