n John Foster (the first who carried on printing in
Boston) died in 1681, the town was without the benefit of
the press; but a continuance of it being thought necessary,
_Samuel Sewall_, not a printer but a magistrate, and a man
much respected, was selected as a proper person to manage
the concerns of it, and as such was recommended to the
general court. In consequence of this recommendation, the
court, in Oct. 1681, gave him liberty to carry on the
business of printing in Boston. The _license_ is thus
recorded: "Samuel Sewall, at the instance of some Friends,
with respect to the accommodation of the public, being
prevailed with to undertake the Management of the Printing
Press in Boston, late under the command of Mr. John Foster,
deceased, liberty is accordingly granted to him for the same
by this court, and none may presume to set up any other
Press without the like Liberty first granted."

Sewall became a bookseller.--Books for himself and others
were printed at the press under his management; as were
several acts and laws, with other works for government.
Samuel Green, jun., was his printer. In 1682 an order passed
the general court for the treasurer to pay Sewall ten pounds
seventeen shillings, for printing the election sermon,
delivered that year by the Rev. Mr. Torrey.

In 1684, Sewall, by some means, was unable to conduct the
press, and requested permission of the general court to be
released from his engagement. This was granted; the record
of his release is in the words following.

"Samuel Sewall by the providence of God being unable to
attend the press, &c., requested leave to be freed from his
obligations concerning it, which was granted, with thanks
for the liberty then granted."

In 1684, and for several subsequent years, the loss of the
charter occasioned great confusion and disorder in the
political concerns of the colony. Soon after Sewall resigned
his office as conductor of the press in Boston, he went to
England, and he returned in 1692. He was undoubtedly the
same Samuel Sewall who, when a new charter was granted by
king William, was for many years one of the council for the
province, and who, in 1692, was appointed one of the Judges
of the Superior Court; in 1715 Judge of Probate; and in
1718, Chief Justice of Massachusetts. He died Ja