Western Herald (Sandwich, published 1838-1842?)
Currently Available Online
OurOntario Newspaper Index (http://ink.ourontrio.ca/browse/weh): 1838-1842 (some issues missing)
Title Variations
Western Herald And Farmers’ Magazine: 1838-1840
Western Herald: 1840-1842?
Another Newspaper With The Same Name
Please note that there was another weekly newspaper called the Western Herald that was published in
the 1880s, in Amherstburg There are no known existing issues of this paper.
The Western Herald was a weekly newspaper that was published in Sandwich by Henry C. Grant. It first
appeared on Wednesdays, but later on a variety of days. The cost was fifteen shillings in advance. Each
issue was eight pages in 8”x11” format.
The publisher’s original intention was to cover “politics, agriculture, and miscellaneous literature”, which
was pretty typical newspaper content of the time. His own political views were characterized by “an
undeviating adherence to the constitution under which we live, and a loyal attachment to the Crown and
Government of Great Britain” (1838/01/03 p.3). These views are important to keep in mind, given the
political events that unfolded around him. The Western Herald contains firsthand, detailed reporting of the
“Patriots”, supporters of William Lyon MacKenzie, and their failed attempts to free this region from British
rule. He follows their movements and reports on all the skirmishes, including the Battle of Windsor. Later
he was a staunch defender of Colonel Prince, the British commander, who created great controversy by
summarily executing four prisoners.
This political stance cost him some of the newspapers most influential subscribers. Over the relatively
short time this newspaper was publishing, Henry Grant was almost continually berating his fellow citizens
and potential subscribers. On October 16th, 1838 (p. 7), for example, he wrote: “We have toiled
unceasingly ever since we had the misfortune to cast our lot among a community of idlers… under the
most trying and discouraging circumstances in the hope that our assiduity, economy and perseverance,
would, at no distant period, meet with their accustomed reward, viz., patronage and suitable remuneration,
but, alas! we have reckoned without “our host”.” Tell it not in Gath – publish it not in the streets of Askalon“
that we have printed and published the Western Herald & Farmers’ Magazine THIRTY-THREE WEEKS
for barely one hundred and fifty subscribers! Can it be supposed that we can, or will be fool enough to
waste our time, health, comfort, peace of mind, and bodily labor, for another year, in the manner we have
done, and for so contemptible a number of subscribers? – never, never!” However, he did continue to
publish the Western Herald for several more years, although clearly without much professional satisfaction
or recognition from the citizens of the Western District.