The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

NEW-YORK, Nov. 13.

In Consequence of the Scarcity and Dearness of Provisions in Europe, as mentioned in our last, we learn, that upwards of Twenty Sail of European Ships arriv'd last Week in different Ports of America, in order to purchase Wheat; some of which are come to this Port, others to Philadelphia, and some gone to Maryland--This must of Consequence raise the Price of Wheat and other Provisions upon us, already too high for the Poor of this City:--and the present exorbitant Price of Firewood in this Place, cannot but be exceeding alarming!--To call upon the Charity of the Rich and Affluent, is disagreeable to many of the most deserving, and in general is but cold Comfort:--In the present State of Things here, scarce any but those of opulent Fortunes can keep even with the World.=And many must suffer the ensuing Winter, for want of Firing: Wood grows scarcer and dearer every Year, whilst the Demand increases with the Growth of the City.-If those Ships get their Loads of Wheat, it will benefit Farmers that have it to sell; but it must impoverish the Citizens, in advancing the Price of Provisions.--And tho' it is possible, this Country may have Wheat to spare; yet what a Reflection it is to us, that we must have much of our Butter from Ireland, even in such a wet Summer as this last, when if ever, Butter should be plenty.--From this it seems evident, that our Stocks are too few, as well from the advanced Price of Meat, as dearness of Butter. And were it not for Fish and Oysters, this City would be much more distressed.