Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

THE PUBLICK LEDGER.

MONDAY EVENING. MARCH 28, 1808.

In this season of general distress and calamity, the Editor of this paper neither expects, or claims an exemption. He has felt and continues to feel his full proportion of the difficulties incident to the state into which the country is placed, for while the expenses of his establishment are not diminished, the revenues derived from it, have sustained a diminution, that excites apprehensions of the most serious nature. It is well understood by all persons who have any knowledge of the establishment of a newspaper, that subscriptions, however extensive cannot support a paper; the advertising custom and other contingencies form the substantial emoluments of a newspaper. If subscriptions were alone sufficient, the Editor would have no cause or apprehension. In that way he has been gratified beyond his most sanguine expectations, the circulation of his paper having increased since July, 1805. nearly four hundred subscribers.

It must be obvious that no establishment, which calls for ready money, in all the departments necessary to carry it on, can long exist, without the punctual payment of the sums due to it. In better times, the delinquency of a few would not be productive of any serious inconvenience, but is now felt very seriously. The Editor of this paper has greatly more due to him than would support it for a year. The sums due to him are in many hands, to each of them the amount is small, and not worth a consideration, but to the Editor the aggregate amount would be considerable, and would enable him to perform his engagements to the publick, and to all the individuals with whom he necessarily is connected.

The Editor hopes that after this frank exposition of his situation that those who are in arrears to the Ledger, will find it convenient to make a speedy payment. It is the duty of the Editor to be candid, and in being so he declares, that without the aid of the greater part of what is due to him, he must be either under the necessity of making a partial reduction in the expenses and extent of his establishment, or of relinquishing it for the present. Either of these alternatives would be at this moment extremely distressing to the Editor; he has not the vanity to suppose that his paper is useful, but he has the pride and ambition to make it so, and an object is more than half accomplished, when we are determined to use our best exertions.

Ledger Office, March 28, 1808.