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Thus warned of war, Gazette readers went on to the next paragraph, which read: "We are assured that Mr. Eustace, at the vineyard . . . has collected thirty bushels of cocoon . . . notwithstanding the loss he sustained by the hail, etc., he has a prospect of making three or four hopheads of wine in the fall."
Historians, thumbing over old Gazette files, wonder how Editors Dixon and Hunter would have treated President Hoover's election. For this was their whole account of a potent colonial event: "The Hon. John Hancock, Esq., a Delegate [to the Continental Congress] from Boston, is appointed President of the Congress in the room of the Hon. Peyton Randolph, Esq." Impartial, the Gazette gave George Washington no more space when he was appointed commander-in-chief of "all the provincial troops in North America."
When the Revolution was at its height, the Gazette took due notice of battles, in despatches, letters. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Gazette was the only newspaper to print its text in full. With a spurt of news instinct, Editors Dixon and Hunter once announced on the front page: "For London news, see last page." Such back-paging, however, lasted but a short while. Soon Gazette readers were again being entertained by "The Assyrian Practice of Marriage," "Present State of Algiers," "Advices from Petersburg."
Advertisements. Mr. Parkes obtained few advertisements for his Gazette. They were mostly for sales of plantations, "for money or tobacco, very cheap . . . containing 200 acres of good Land, with a good bearing young Orchard, of Variety of Good Fruit Trees. ..." Printer William Rind, a later owner, fared better. Sometimes he was able to insert as many as two pages of advertising, dealing with "Run Way Slaves," slaves to be sold, slaves arrested and refusing to give names of masters, doctors who were about to open a season of vaccination, lottery winners, sailings of ships. Advertising costs were indefinite: "3 shillings the first week, and 2 shillings each time after. And long ones in proportion."
Decline. In 1780 the capital of Virginia was removed from Williamsburg to Richmond. The Gazette followed the government officials. Soon it began to lose circulation and prestige; publication became intermittent and finally ceased entirely, excepting for a three weeks' resurrection by the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, when it was sold as a souvenir.
*San Francisco's tough district is south of the old cable slot on Market street.