The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

To the Printer of The Public Advertiser.

S I R.

SEPT. 30. 1766.

The Cry of the Poor against the Dearness of Provisions encreases daily, and, in my Opinion, not without just Provocation: Meat of every Kind has long since been beyond the Reach of the poor Man's Pocket, and unless in a short Time some Stop is put to the Exportation of Corn, God only knows what the Poor are to eat, for I am afraid they will not be able to purchase Bread for themselves and Families: What signifies amusing us with a Proclamation against forestalling of Corn? We most of us know there are such Acts existing; but I should be glad to be informed, Whether the Proclamation has, or can stop the Exportation of Corn, without the further Aid of Parliament? If not, I hope common Humanity will oblige the Members of the two great Assemblies to give it their earliest consideration, in order to pacify the Minds of the Poor, which hitherto have been too justly irritated.

A few Days ago I fell into Company with a Set of Seafaring Men, at a Public House in Gravesend; the Conversation began about the exorbitant Price of Provisions of every Kind; Bread in particular took up the greatest Part of the Debate, and all agreed unless the Price of Bread was lowered, and a Stop put to the Exportation of Corn, the Poor of that Place must follow the Example Set them by their Fellow-Sufferers at Exeter. An old Sailor then in Company, and who had great Attention to the whole Discourse, got up with all the Coolness imaginable, and, swearing a hearty Oath, said, I'll tell you what, my Lads; I have but one Wish left for them, which is, that another Ear of Corn may not grow in this Kingdom for these seven Years to come, and that your great Folks may be forced to eat Horse-Beans during that Time, for endeavouring to take the Bread out of the Mouths of their best Friends, in order to feed their Enemies. The Wish of the old Tar was only disapproved of, as affecting the Poor as well as the Rich. I am therefore in Hopes, before the Meeting of Parliament, some good and sensible Men will consider of different Clauses, for an Act to overthrow forestalling of every Kind, and thereby enable many of the laborious Poor to purchase Provisions at moderate Prices for their Families, who for several Months past, I will affirm, have been scarce able to keep them from starving. Nothing gives me more Satisfaction, than when I meet with Letters upon this important Subject in your Paper, and I sincerely hope that every Person will take up his Pen, who can give the least Assistance to the Poor and hungry.

I am Sir, Your's &c.

A Father of Twelve Children.