I Have been coming and going among you since the Year 1745.
I am now once more on Service in this Part of the World, and
not a little surprized at the Alteration in the Value of
your Provisions, since my Knowledge of your Country. When I
first came among you, I could have bought a Pound of Beef
for a Penny, a Goose for a Shilling, a Fowl for three Pence,
and so in Proportion. It now is, I think, four Pence
Sterling for a Pound of Beef, eighteen Pence Sterling for a
Fowl, and three Shillings for a Goose. Pray Gentlemen, when
that is the Price at _Boston_, what must we pay for it at
_Louisbourg_, after it has gone thro' the Hands of many
different People that are to live out of it. Our Pay is not
increased.
I would say nothing to influence you to sell cheaper, from
Motives disinterested or publick spirited, as that weighs
but little with the Generality of Mankind. But consider your
own Interest, the War can last but little longer: This
Campaign, in all Probability, will put an End to it, then
where will you find a Market for your Stock you raise.
Consider with the Fall of this present Summer, its pretty
certain the Soldiers and Seamen at present employed for your
Defence, will be called to Britain: Take the Market while it
holds Gentlemen. We have Beef found us, that is to say, the
Publick purchases it; let us now and then taste of your
Veal, Mutton and Fowls for our Money, and we will spend all
among you; and we expect both Interest and Inclination will
prompt you to give us an ample Supply.