The Nova Scotia Magazine – Nova Scotia, John Howe, 1790

John Howe (1754–1835), a Loyalist from Boston, arrived in Halifax in 1780. On January 5, 1781, he began publishing of a weekly newspaper, The Halifax Journal. The paper continued until 1819, when it was sold to John Munro. Around 1790, Howe also launched the monthly Nova-Scotia Magazine and Comprehensive Review of Literature, Politics, and News. This magazine encouraged young authors to submit their original works and was edited and assembled by William Cochran of Windsor, Nova Scotia. Despite its early promise, the magazine ceased publication in 1792 due to a lack of support. Nevertheless, Howe continued to print books and pamphlets addressing the political and religious controversies of the time. 

In 1801, Howe succeeded Anthony Henry as King’s Printer, taking on the responsibility of printing The Nova Scotia Royal Gazette. In addition to being the leading printer in Nova Scotia, he was appointed postmaster and served Nova Scotia for many years. Here he took on John Ryan, who later would print the first newspaper in New Brunswick and later became King’s Printer in Newfoundland.

Before coming to Nova Scotia, John Howe had worked as a printer for the British Forces in Newport, Rhode Island during the American War of Independence, maintaining his loyalty to Britain. In 1803, at the start of the Napoleonic Wars, Great Britain began boarding and searching American ships trading with France. Sir George Prevost, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, asked Howe to travel to the United States to assess whether the United States was considering war against Britain. Under the guise of visiting family and friends, Howe traveled to Boston in 1808 and 1809. He reported that war could be avoided if Britain lifted its blockade and tariffs on ships entering French ports. He also warned that if these measures persisted, war was inevitable, and attacks on British North American colonies were likely. Howe’s predictions proved accurate when the United States declared war on Britain in 1812, initiating the War of 1812 and launching attacks on Canada.

In 1818, he retired as King's Printer and Postmaster but continued to serve as a magistrate. He helped his son, the Honourable Joseph Howe with his paper, The Novascotian.