The Virginia Gazette

Jan. 3. We hear from Aberdeen, that not long since Captain Stafford of Lieutenant General Pulteney's Regiment of Foot, quartered there with a Detachment from the said Regiment, detected a Person crying treasonable Ballads about the Streets of the Town, whom he took up, and sent before the chief Magistrate; and likewise caused the Publisher of the said Ballads to be brought before the Magistrates in their Council Chamber, and insisted upon their being proceeded against according to Law.

Upon the Magistrates neglecting to do that, he applied to them, that the Ballads might be publickly burnt by the common Hangman, and upon their Refusal, he caused it to be done by his Drummer, in the Market Place, upon a Market Day.

Captain Stafford made a Speech to the Spectators, who were very numerous, declaring the Reasons for his so doing, which, when the Ballads were committed to the Flames, was as follows: May all the Enemies to his most sacred Majesty King George, our rightful and lawful King, be consum'd away from off the Face of the Earth, as this Fire consumeth those vile and treasonable Ballads.