A selection from the Gazette Françoise, from the Newport Historical Society’s collections, MSS Box A-16.
During the American Revolution, France entered into an official alliance with the Americans in 1778. However the French military was not officially in residence in Newport until 1780. During their occupation of Newport they offered a journal called the Gazette Françoise for the benefit of the Garrison. It reprinted news from English sources but provided some reading material and entertainment for the French forces stationed in Rhode Island. In addition Newport’s Anglophone newspapers made accommodations for their new allies and printed advertisements in French for various services.
This October 15-16, 2011, the Historical Society will host Kyle Durrie from Power and Light Press to discuss and demonstrate moveable type.