Notes

John Howe, a Loyalist from Boston, came to Halifax in 1780. On January 5, 1781, he began publication of a weekly newspaper, the Halifax Journal. It was published until 1819 when it was sold to John Munro. Around 1790, Howe also launched the monthly Nova-Scotia Magazine and Comprehensive Review of Literature, Politics, and News. This magazine encouraged young authors to submit their original works and was edited and assembled by William Cochran of Windsor, Nova Scotia. Despite its early promise, the magazine ceased publication in 1792 due to a lack of support. Nevertheless, Howe continued to print books and pamphlets on the political and religious controversies of the time.

In 1801, Howe succeeded Anthony Henry as King’s Printer, taking on the responsibility of printing the Nova Scotia Royal Gazette. As well as being the leading printer in Nova Scotia, he was also appointed postmaster and continued to serve Nova Scotia for many years. Here he took on John Ryan, who later would print the first newspaper in New Brunswick and later became King’s Printer in Newfoundland.

Prior to coming to Nova Scotia, John Howe had worked as a printer for the British Forces in Newport, Rhode Island during the American War of Independence maintaining his loyalty to Britain. In 1803, at the start of the Napoleonic Wars, Great Britain was boarding and searching American ships trading with France. Sir George Prevost, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, asked Howe to travel to the United States to assess whether the United States was considering war against Britain. Under the guise of visiting family and friends, Howe traveled to Boston in 1808 and 1809. He reported that war could be avoided if Britain lifted its blockade and tariffs on ships entering French ports. However, if these measures persisted, war seemed inevitable, and attacks on British North American colonies were likely. Howe’s predictions proved accurate when the United States declared war on Britain in 1812, initiating the War of 1812 and launching attacks on Canada.

In 1818, he retired as King's Printer and Postmaster but continued to serve as a magistrate. He helped his son, the Honourable Joseph Howe with his paper, The Novascotian.

John Howe died in Halifax in 1835 and is buried in the Old Burying Ground, Halifax.

References:

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Howe_(loyalist)&oldid=1232779154