John M. Snowden

John M. Snowden
John Maugeridge Snowden
3rd Mayor of Pittsburgh
In office 1825–1828
Preceded by	John Darragh
Succeeded by	Magnus Miller Murray
Personal details
Born	January 13, 1776 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	April 1, 1845 (aged 69) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic-Republican, Democratic
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Moor
Relations	William Snowden (father)
Residence	Carrick, Pittsburgh
Religion	Presbyterianism

John Maugridge Snowden (January 13, 1776 – April 1, 1845), served as Mayor of Pittsburgh City from 1825 to 1828.

Snowden was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a revolutionary war family of patriots. His father, John Snowden, was a hero of the war, being imprisoned by the British forces and dying in their custody. His mother, Elizabeth Moor, was a major advisor to General Washington during his Pennsylvania campaigns. In 1811 Snowden began a printing and book business in Pittsburgh. He eventually bought and edited his own newspaper, the Pittsburgh Mercury. Like his predecessor as Mayor, John Darragh, he used his appointment as President of the Bank of Pittsburgh to launch his mayoral candidancy.

Snowden served terms as Allegheny County Recorder and Treasurer before being elected mayor of Pittsburgh in 1825. He served until 1828.

Pittsburgh 12 March 1829

His Excellency
Gen A. Jackson
Prest. U.S.

Dr Sir
To the many requests to which your attention is at this time drawn, may I be permitted respectfully to add mine? I have this day written to the Hon. M Van Buren applying for the appointment to publish the laws of the United States, &c in the Pittsburgh Mercury of which I am the editor and proprietor; and requesting of him, if required, to afford me time to forward to him whatever recommendations may be deemed necessary. Presuming on your knowledge of my character and standing here and on your friendly feelings may I be permitted respectfully to solicit your aid in this particular. I presume it is known to your excellency that the Mercury was, both in 1824 and 1828, devoted to those principles which have so signally triumphed in the late contest. It is the second oldest paper in this place and has a respectable patronage and circulation. Calculated with firmness, but at the same time maintaining that decorous course which is calculated to merit and secure the public confidence, it is believed that it was not an unimportant auxiliary in that contest. But neither my scrupulous regard as an editor for private character - the correctness of my course - nor my acknowledged good reputation - has secured me from many sacrifices in (supp crossed out) the just support of my political principles and opinions. Wherever political opponents could assail me, they have done it. From their own avowals, the first effort displayed itself by a combination to oust me from the mayoralty of this city - not because I was considered to be incompetent to or unfaithful in the discharge of the duties of that office, but because the fact that an opponent of the then existing administration had been removed from the head of the city authorities, would give éclat abroad and subserve their political interests. This step has then been followed up by attempts to break down my establishment or diminish its patronage - attempts which have to a considerate extent affected my pecuniary interests, and subjected me to an inconvenience which is sensibly felt at my advanced period of life, with a numerous family dependent on my labour and exertions for maintenance. I make these statements not by way of complaint, but to show that the Pittsburgh Mercury was not, and is not regarded as an inefficient partisan in the struggle for principles; and as a change will undoubtedly be made of the public printer of this place, respectfully to present them as recommendations on the score of service to the consideration of the government.