The Virginia Gazette

For several Weeks past, and even to the Middle of the last, we had suffered the most gloomy Apprehensions of a general Loss of Grain and Roots, in short of almost every vegetable, throughout this great Provision Country, which supplied so many others. The great Drought in the Year 1752, which was succeeded by two terrible Hurricanes, in the Month of September, was not so alarming as the Prospect here a Week ago. The Want of Water had not been equalled in the Memory of the oldest Man living; in some Parts of the Country, Abundance of Cattle had perished for Want of it. In many Plantations the People had been obliged to dig for, and even set Guards over it, that it might not be wasted. In others, to drive their Creatures daily three Miles to drink. The Leaves had fallen from the Trees as in Autumn, and the Plants and Grass in many Places were so dried, that there are, to this Day, unextinguished Fires, by the accidental Fall of Sparks from Negroes Pipes. Hell Hole Swamp, never before known to be dry, had been continually burning for some Time. Travellers on the Roads could not procure Water for their Horses, nor Drovers for the necessary Supply of Cattle for our common Subsistence. Many Mills had been stopt working, and large Quantities of Flour, Corn, &c. were prevented being brought down by the Lowness of Santee River; and here, in Town, most of the Wells had failed to yield their Supplies, or the common Use of Families. In short, never were the People in general seen More dejected. But, since last Thursday, it hath pleased the Almighty to change the Prospect greatly; abundant Showers have fallen, and they have been so general, that we flatter ourselves the great Crop of Rice, which has been planted, at least may be saved.