September 24, 1776

Was the Declaration of Independence censored in Canada? That was the story in a Boston newspaper, reprinted in Philadelphia. Supposedly, the governor of Halifax “would not permit the poor dupe of a printer (had he ever so good a mind) to publish any more” of the Declaration than the final paragraph. The governor’s reasoning was “‘because it may gain over to them (the rebels) many converts; and inflame the minds of his Majesty’s loyal and faithful subjects of the province of Nova-Scotia.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

Boston, Sept. 5.

The Governor of Halifax received the Declaration of Independancy, about four weeks since, but would not permit the poor dupe of a printer (had he ever so good a mind) to publish any more of it than barely the last clause, where it says, “We therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress assembled, Do, &c. &c.” And his reason (as we are credibly informed) was “because it may gain over to them (the rebels) many converts; and inflame the minds of his Majesty’s loyal and faithful subjects of the province of Nova-Scotia.”