So early as 1807 there was an "opposition" paper--the _Upper Canada Guardian_. Willcocks, the editor, had been Sheriff of the Home District, and had lost his office for giving a vote contrary to the policy of the lieutenant-governor for the time being. He was returned as a member of parliament; and after having been imprisoned for breach of privilege, he was returned again, and continued to lead the reforming party. The name of Mr. Cameron, the publisher of the _Gazette_ at York was, by some means, mixed up with that of Mr. Willcocks, in connection with the _Upper Canada Guardian_ in 1807, and he found it expedient to publish in the _Gazette_ of June 20, the following notice: "To the Public--Having seen the Prospectus of a paper generally circulated at Niagara, intended to be printed in Upper Canada, entitled the _Upper Canada Guardian or Freeman's Journal_, executed in the United States of America, without my knowledge or consent, wherein my name appears as being a party concerned; I therefore think it necessary to undeceive my friends and the inhabitants of Upper Canada, and to assure them that I have no connection with, nor is it my most distant wish or intention in any wise to be connected with the printing or publication of said paper. John Bennett."--When the war of 1812 broke out the _Guardian_ came to an end; its editor at first loyally bore arms on the Canadian side, but at length deserted to the enemy, taking with him some of the Canadian Militia. He was afterwards killed at the siege of Fort Erie. The newspaper which occupies the largest space in the early annals of the press at York is the _Colonial Advocate_. Issuing first at Queenston in May, 1824, it was removed in the following November to York. Its shape varied from time to time: now it was a folio: now a quarto. On all its pages the matter was densely packed; but printed in a very mixed manner: it abounded with sentences in italics, in small capitals, in large capitals; with names distinguished in like decided manner: with paragraphs made conspicuous by rows of index hands, and other typographical symbols at top, bottom and sides. It was editorial, not in any one particular column, but throughout; and the opinions delivered were expressed for the most part in the first person.