The Virginia Gazette

A short time since one Tedder, a poor man, who lived at a village in Essex, bordering on Suffolk, had a copy-hold estate left him of about 30l. per annum; in consequence of which he applied to the steward of the manor (the Lord of which is now at Paris) but not having money to pay the necessary fine, which amounted to a year's income, he was refused admission. In order to obtain it he declared he would go to Paris; his neighbours looked upon this scheme as foolish and romantick, and dissuaded him from it, but he persisted in his resolution of prosecuting his journey. Accordingly he mustered up all he was worth, went forward on his expedition, and embarked with his son, about twelve years old, at Dover. On his landing at Calais he had only a groat left, and understood not a word of the language of the country; but luckily meeting with a blacksmith, who had formerly been a prisoner of war in England, and could speak English, he informed him of his story: The blacksmith wrote a brief narrative of the case, and bid him apply to the houses on the road, and show the paper, which was attended with very happy success, being hospitably supplied with coarse bread and soup, and permitted to lie in out-houses. After some days peregrination he arrived at Paris, and soon found out his Lordship's hotel, where he applied, and being known by some of the servants had the honour of being introduced to his Lordship, in his miserable ragged condition, having scarcely clothes to his back, or shoes to his feet. On telling the reason of his visit, his Lordship, who remembered the man, could not help laughing heartily at the oddity of his scheme; and he was afterwards introduced to her Ladyship, and by both their bounties he and his son were new clothed, and generously relieved with money sufficient to carry them home. His Lordship likewise forgave the fine, and gave him an instrument, signed by himself, in order to have admission to his estate. The poor man was overwhelmed with gratitude, expressed his sense of it in the best manner he was able, and on his return took possession, to the astonishment of his neighbours.