Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

We believe the oldest inhabitant does not remember so long a drought; the consequences of which it is feared, will be ruinous to the agriculture, which is now greatly injured for want of rain.

The Great Dismal Swamp has been for some weeks on fire, which has extended for many miles. We have conversed with some gentlemen of information from that quarter, who assure us, that the damage already done, is moderately estimated at one hundred thousand dollars. Two millions of three feet shingles ready for market are consumed, a number of buildings, bridges, and an immense quantity of timber are also consumed, and the fire was yesterday raging in every direction with the greatest violence. Without rain, there is no hope of its stopping, short of the entire destruction of all the timber in this great tract of country. The rapidity with which our informants state the flames to spread, exceeds any thing that can be described.