John Sherburne SleeperJohn Sherburne Sleeper (1794-1878) was an American sailor, shipmaster, novelist (using the alias Hawser Martingale), journalist, and politician. Sleeper worked as a sailor, officer, and shipmaster for the merchant marine service operating out of Bostn for 22 years. Sleeper was the publisher and editor of the Exeter News-Letter in New Hampshire, as well as the editor and proprietor of The Lowell Daily Journal and The Boston Mercantile Journal, which ultimately became The Boston Journal. Sleeper purchased The Lowell Daily Journal on May 15, 1833, and managed it in collaboration with H. Hastings Weld; however, the relationship lasted just a few months, resulting in financial difficulties for Mr. Weld and Sleeper's departure to work for The Boston Mercantile Journal. Sleeper was the editor of The Boston Mercantile Journal, which subsequently became The Boston Journal, from 1834 to 1854. Read More Read Less