New York City in the Winter of 1747
“New-York, February 9. Our kind Readers must now naturally expect a great Dearth of News, and we are therefore quite at a Loss what to give that may be agreeable; we must then beg their Patience when we tell them what can be no News here, and what too many of them know experimentally better than we can express; but as it may be news in distant Parts, we apprehend it can’t be altogether unseasonable, since we have nothing else better to say: The deplorable Circumstances this City is under, from a long Series of cold and freezing Weather is Matter of Concern to all.
This now not only hinders our foreign Navigation (and so consequently prevents News) but occasions our Firewood to be so scarce and dear as was never equal’d here before; the Price being from 40 s. to 58 s. a Cord, and almost half the Inhabitants in Want: Provisions are also excessive dear; a good Turkey, which scarcely ever before exceeded 3 s. 6 d. has lately been sold for 5 s.[,] a fat Fowl for 1 s. 6 d.[,] a Pound of Butter for 14 d.[,] and many other Things proportionable: Under all these Disadvantages, what must our Poor suffer!
Our Rivers continue full of Ice, and a gloomy Prospect now o’erspread them. Yesterday a Report prevailed here, That two or three Vessels were seen near Sandy-Hook, endeavouring to get in, one of which was said to be one of our Privateers, and another a Prize; but if so, they must be beat off again with the Ice, or in great Danger of perishing.”
—The New-York Gazette, Revived in the Weekly Post-Boy, 9 February 1747.
Posted in economy, New York City, prices, severe weather, War of the Austrian Succession |
