The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Feb. 6. A person from New-York says, that the inhabitants of the two western counties of Long Island groan under the most intolerable oppressions. A farmer is not allowed to be a judge what provision of meat, hay, or grain, is sufficient for his own family and cattle, &c. An account is taken of the whole by British commissaries, who leave just as much as they think sufficient for the consumption of the family, and set what price they please upon what they appropriate to the King's use. Add to this, that the refugees and straggling soldiers from New-York are in more troublesome within the enemy's lines than without, owing to the depredations they are continually committing on the property of the distressed inhabitants, who are compelled in their own defence to keep guard constantly by night, and often kill these freebooters, under pretence that they took them for rebels.

All kinds of eatables, firewood, &c. are said to be so dear in New-York, that even Rivington is ashamed to publish the price current any longer in his paper. A loaf of bread that formerly sold for 4 coppers in that city, is now raised to fourteen; and a pound of fresh meat that used to be bought for three pence, now sells for three or four shillings.

Such is the blessed situation the English have reduced their adherents to, who are unhappy enough to reside in that place.