The Virginia Gazette

The inhabitants of Margate took no little pains the other day to testify their joy at the arrival of Mr. Wilkes. It is such a length of time since their old rusty cannon on the fort have been made use of that it has long been an arch saying amongst them, on being asked if they are ever used, that when their cannon is fired every window in the town is broke. They were, however, now determined to try the experiment; but six pounds of gunpowder could not be had in the town, nor could even be procured by special messengers from Sandwich or Ramsgate. This disappointment did not, however, abate their patriotic ardour. Six pounds were procured even as far as Canterbury; but it not being recollected that six pounds would only charge the cannon once, the zealous Margatonians sent a second time to Canterbury for a dozen pounds more; and, notwithstanding the thunder of their dreadful artillery!! (to the great sorrow of all the glaziers) not a pane was shivered in honour of the patriot.