The Virginia Gazette

To the SUBSCRIBERS for the VIRGINIA-GAZETTE.

Gentlemen,

THIS Paper being completes the Year as near as possible, comply'd with my Proposals, printed in the Introduction to the first Gazette, I hope I have given such Satisfaction, as will induce you to continue your Subscriptions for another Year.

Men of Learning will readily acknowledge the Usefulness of a Press, especially in an Infant Country ; and I have great Reason to hope, from the Experience I have made, that there are Gentlemen of Learning, Genius, and Publick-Spirit, in this Colony, who will be ready to encourage this and all laudable Undertakings. I find, indeed, a general Inclination among my Customers, to have the VIRGINIA GAZETTE carried on; only some who live remote, complain of the Difficulty of getting them, by reason of their Miscarriage, which has been chiefly occasion'd by Persons breaking them open, who are desirous of News, but are too mercenary to pay for it. However, I hope that Practice will be prevented for the future, by the Method I have taken, of Writing the Owners Names on the Paper itself, as well as the Cover; and by my publishing my Resolution to prosecute those who shall be found offending therein. If this Method fails, I am willing further to oblige; and do hereby promise, that I will send Messengers on Purpose with them, to Such Counties as shall have a Sufficient Number of Subscribers to defray the Charge, and as often as they shall in Reason require, and the Weather will permit.

On this Offer, which will be attended with much Trouble and Expence, every God-natur'd Person will judge how desirous I am to please the Gentlemen of a Country I have receiv'd much Encouragement from, (which I take this Opportunity gratefully to acknowledge, ) and I flatter myself with the Continuance of their Favour, as I shall use my utmost Endeavour to merit it.

I am, with great Respect,

Gentlemen, Your most Obliged,
Humble Servant,

William Parks.

P. S. As I have been at much Trouble and Expence, for Intelligence, Paper, Printing, Covering, Directing, and Conveying the Se Papers, I hope the Gentlemen will contrive their Subscription-Money to me as soon as they can conveniently.