I got curious about a "Carriers' Address" and looked it up. It's another old American tradition gone by the wayside, unfortunately. Today's editors can't hold a candle to Mr. Livingston's work. And this was just a hobby of his!
This made me laugh. I'm not sure I agree with "Give me..." though.Carrier Addresses (also known as "Carriers' Addresses" or "New Year's Addresses") were a tradition in late 18th- and early 19th-century American newspapers. Newspaper carriers delivered rhyming poems or broadsides on New Year's Day to subscribers, reviewing the past year's events with humor or satire, expressing thanks, and requesting tips.
Henry Livingston Jr. (1748–1828), a New York poet best known for the debated authorship of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("The Night Before Christmas"), wrote many such verses. His family remembered his fondness for them, and several are attributed to him through handwriting, family identification, or stylistic analysis.
They often featured light-hearted, optimistic tone, rhyming couplets or anapestic meter, current events, patriotism, and gentle humor.
Attributed Examples
- 1787: For the printer N. Power's carriers (in his handwriting).
- 1793, 1795, 1796, 1797: Several for the Weekly Museum (New York).
- 1803: Political Barometer (Poughkeepsie), attributed by granddaughter.
- 1811: Poughkeepsie Journal.
- 1815: Beginning "HONOR'D patrons here I stand..."
- 1818: New-York Gazette.
- 1819: Humorous review of news, including the Erie Canal.
Example: 1803 Carrier's Address
ALL hail to the season so jovial and gay, More grateful to NEWS-BOYS than blossoms of May, Than Summer's green gown, or Miss Autumn's brocade, Bespangled with gold, and with diamonds o'erlaid; Give me surly Winter, bald-headed and bare, Cold nights, frosty mornings, and keen piercing air... ... In short, to conclude my nonsensical song To all, what they wish, if they wish nothing wrong.Example: 1819 Excerpt
Believe me, dear patrons, I have wand'red too far, Without any compass, or planet or star; My dear native village I scarcely can see So I'll hie to my hive like the tempest-tost bee. Hail home! sacred home! to my soul ever dear; Abroad may be wonders but rapture is here...Many were anonymous. Full texts and more at henrylivingston.com.
Historical Examples of Carrier's Address Broadsides
Give me surly Winter, bald-headed and bare,And this is a delightful sentiment, isn't it? It took me a moment to puzzle out his wishes.
Cold nights, frosty mornings, and keen piercing air...
In short, to conclude my nonsensical song
To all, what they wish, if they wish nothing wrong.The 1809 excerpt with its simple pleasure of home and village life makes me ponder all the miserable, evil, and malcontented people across the land: the Somali crooks, the criminal class from Mexico, the "social democrats," the "AWFLs," the anti-ICE / anti-law & order mob.