The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Ayr.

"Universal Bankruptcy is not the only Evil we are threatened with. Absolute and unavoidable Famine, if publick Credit is not immediately...
Restored, must be the Fate of this Part of the Kingdom; for the Noblemen and Gentlemen, by their prudent and steady Conduct on this alarming Occasion, have fully restored the Credit due to the Notes of Douglas, Heron, and Company, so that they now pass as freely as ever in this Country, yet it is not in their Power to restore the Credit of the Nation abroad while it remains so much clouded at London. Our only Dependence for Grain, at present, is on Ireland; and too too often had the disagreeable Situation of publick Credit at London reacted on our Country than they unloaded several Vessels ready to sail with Grain for this Town, on Pretence that they were not sure of the Bills drawn on London for the Price would be honoured.

We are still very quiet; but if we are obliged to dismiss our Labourers and Manufacturers for Want of Money, amidst a real scarcity of all Kinds of Provisions, the Consequences would indeed be very serious.

It is evident by the publick Actions as well as Speeches of the Ministry that they imagine the People of England have not common Understanding, and may be imposed upon by any Appearances or Assertions, however false and ridiculous; for at this very Juncture, when the Credit of the Publick hath just received so great a Shock from the corrupt, weak, and partial Measures of the Minister, as to shake the main Pillars of Government, his Tools and Agents are busy employed in extolling his Wisdom and Firmness, of his having conquered all Opposition, and restored the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom. But Nothing can be more certain than that the Blow which makes publick Credit still totter originates in, and springs from, the negligent and imprudent Conduct of the Administration; and that the Credit of the Nation never can recover its former Vigour and Stability till wiser Men, and better Measures, are employed.

As to his conquering all Opposition in the House, it does not show his Wisdom, but their Corruption. It proves, to the Conviction of every honest Man, that the Money of the Publick hath been profusely applied, to the worst of Purposes; that the People cannot rely on, or expect, any good Services from their Representatives in Parliament, when such a Corrupter stands at the Head of their Treasury; and that the Nation must find out some Method of redressing themselves, of curing this grievous Disorder in their Representatives, and of restoring their broken Constitution. To rob the Publick of their Money, and apply it to subvert the Integrity of their Representatives in Parliament, is certainly a complicated Crime of the highest Nature; it is High Treason against the Majesty of the Publick. And yet have we not heard the humble and treacherous Temper and Disposition of Parliament, owing to, and flowing from, that very Crime, applauded from the Throne?"