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On the second page of the first issue of the Bathurst Advocate published on 5 February 1848, a column, titled 'To Our Readers', outlines the publisher's intentions thus:
'In launching forth to the public the first number of THE BATHURST ADVOCATE, the proprietor (Mr. B. Isaacs) is fully aware of the risk of his speculation. Many of his friends, and he is sure, well-wishers, have told him that he ought not to venture publishing without a very respectable list of subscribers to commence with, but with all due deference to their kind and sincere caution he has still an obstinate opinion of his own, that once started, his paper will meet with encouragement from a discerning public, and is fully persuaded, that by impartial and upright conduct, he will ensure the good wishes of all whose opinions are worthy of notice. In politics he will be guided by his own judgement, and although he will patiently listen to all, he will be biased by none. He is fully aware that many entertain a notion, that a newspaper published in Bathurst may be come a vehicle for disseminating personalities and slander, causing ill-feeling and endless squabbles. The proprietor, however, pledges himself, that the columns of his paper shall, on no occasion, be open to personalities, except in cases of great flagrancy, and that he will not suffer himself to be made a cats-paw of for the gratification of private pique, or ill-feeling.'
