The Virginia Gazette

OXFORD, October 4. The popular commotions here gradually subside, which we attribute in a great measure to the discretion of the Magistrates, who observe a just medium in their resentments towards the oppressions of engrossers and the insolence of the mob; but chiefly to the salutary effects of his Majesty's late most gracious orders in relation to the exportation and distillery of the wheat, which is received here with the same ecstasies as a reprieve after sentence of death. It is very manifest that we were at the eve of ruin, as there is certainly a very considerable quantity of old wheat in the country, and the new will barely supply us until another harvest; for this latter yields but one third of the common produce in threshing, and the samples already shown convince us that hardly one grain in ten is rank and good. The engrossers have certainly made hay while the sun shone, by securing the best to themselves; and great frugality, both publick and private, is requisite to bring the year handsomely round; besides that, we must even then wish for a prosperous harvest. The fruitful granaries of Oxfordshire and its neighbouring counties are drained, and one may venture to affirm that some wheels abroad have been moving with our wheels at home, and that the known avarice of the nation hath been baited the whole summer to the immense hazard of the publick peace and safety.