The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Bengal, dated September 16, brought by the Lapwing.

"The Misery occasioned by the Famine, in the Province of Bengal, is incredible. I believe I speak within Compass when I say at least two Millions of Souls have perished within these two Months. The Europeans have suffered greatly; not so much from Famine as from a pestilential Disorder, which is the general Consequence of it."

"You cannot conceive the Calamities which now reign in this Country; the Manufactories are all at a Stand for Want of Workmen to carry them on, and it will be impossible for proper Investments to be made for Europe (more than what is now ready to ship off) for two or three Years to come. Several of the Company's Ships, which should have been dispatched this Season, will be obliged to stay in the Country another, for Want of Hands, such Numbers of Seamen having died."

"I am sorry to tell you that there seems but one general Maxim here, which is for every One to plunder all he can from the poor Natives, for his own Benefit, without regarding the Interest of the Company, which must greatly suffer. Had the Supervisors arrived we might have expected some Reformation, but they are now given over as lost. If there are not some better Regulations formed at home for this Government, and some of our great Folks called to an Account for their Villainies, Ruination must ensue."

"We are informed from Madras that the famous Heyder Ali has broke the Peace, and is again become troublesome to the Company's Settlements; he is openly assisted by the French, and is, I am afraid, too formidable an Enemy to be easily subdued."

"The Nabob of Arcot, one of our best Allies, has been basely treated by the Governour and Council. It is said he complained to Commodore Lindsay, who he terms the Representative of the King of England; but it has not been in his Power to gain any Redress, as he is not in the least regarded by those in Power, notwithstanding the Authority given him by the King's Commission. I believe he is heartily tired of this Part of the World, from the Indifference he is treated with, and would wish to be recalled."

"We are told General Coote has not met with better Treatment, and is determined to return to England over Land. In short, it seems to be the fixed Determination of those who have the Reins of Government in their Hands to plunder both the Country and Company to amass Nabobs Fortunes to themselves, but to admit of no Rivals. I hope some Method will be found out to put a Stop to such Rapine, before the Company's Ruin is completed, which cannot be far off if such Baseness and Cruelties are longer winked at by those who ought to be careful of the publick Interest."

Some Letters in Town mention that about thirty Thousand Europeans, Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Bengal, have died of Famine; and that a great Number of Officers have fallen a Sacrifice to an epidemical Distemper, owing to the Drought.

A Gentleman, who has lately arrived from Bengal, has just informed us that four Hundred and fifty Thousand is the greatest Number that hath died in that Kingdom of the Famine.

We have Authority to say the News from the East Indies, by the Lapwing Packet, is favourable in every Respect, except in the Loss of some of the Inhabitants in the Province of Bengal, occasioned by a Famine; and that the Company's Settlements continued in Peace, with the Prospect of large Investments from every Part.