The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

The public Prints contain Accounts of the Scarcity of Provisions in many Parts of England; the Poor being in great Distress for the Means of Subsistence. At Deal it is said, that even the Game which used to be brought from France and Flanders, is entirely stopped, as the Inhabitants of those Countries are also in great want. At Northampton, a hind Quarter of Mutton has not been to be purchased for some Months past, they being all sent to London.

In a small Town within ten Miles of London, all the Sheep's Plucks being bought up by a Gentleman for his Cats and a Lady for her Dogs, so that the poor of that place cannot get so much as a Bit of Sheep's Liver or Lights: much less will these humane people suffer their Animals to be defrauded of their Hearts. At Sunderland, several Gentlemen, made a Visitation to the different Districts of that Town: In prosecuting this Work, they became Witnesses of such Scenes of human Woe as can scarcely be supposed to exist in a Christian Country. Many Families had for some time subsisted on Bran and Bullocks Blood mixed together, and some for want of Bran sufficient, added a little Saw-dust to their scanty Pittance, and it was thought that had it not been for this timely Visit many scores would literally have perished for want, as the industrious Poor were unemployed, owing to all the Ships being laden, and prevented by contrary Winds from proceeding on their respective Voyages.

These Distresses have occasioned several Mobs and Riots. At Chelmsford about 50 assembled in the Evening of the 12th of April, and increased to 300 by Morning, when they went to several Mills, and took large Quantities of Flour, and carried it in Waggons, under a strong Guard, to the Market-place, to sell at a Price approved of. They then went to the Farmers Houses regaling themselves, and collecting Grain from them to carry to the Market. The same is done at Sudbury, Colchester, Whiteham, &c. The Inhabitants were in such great Consternation that they had sent to the War-Office for Troops to quell the Rioters.