to our
whale-oil, under a duty of about two louis a ton. In consequence of the
English treaty, their oils flowed in, and over-stocked the market. The
light duty they were liable to under the treaty, still lessened by false
estimates and aided by the high premiums of the British government,
enabled them to undersell the French and American oils. This produced an
outcry of the Dunkirk fishery. It was proposed to exclude all European
oils, which would not infringe the British treaty. I could not but
encourage this idea, because it would give to the French and American
fisheries a monopoly of the French market. The _Arret_ was so drawn
up; but, in the very moment of passing it, they struck out the word
European, so that our oils became involved. This, I believe, was the
effect of a single person in the ministry. As soon as it was known to
me, I wrote to Monsieur de Montmorin, and had conferences with him and
the other ministers. I found it necessary to give them information on
the subject of the whale-fishery, of which they knew little but from the
partial information of their Dunkirk adventurers. I therefore wrote the
observations (of which I enclose you a printed copy), had them printed
to entice them to read them, and particularly developed the expense at
which they are carrying on that fishery, and at which they must continue
it, if they do continue it. This part was more particularly intended for
Mr. Necker, who was quite a stranger to the subject, who has principles
of economy, and will enter into calculations. Other subjects are
incidentally introduced; though little connected with the main question,
they had been called for by other circumstances. An immediate order was
given for the present admission of our oils, till they could form
an _Arret_; and, at a conference, the draught of an _Arret_ was
communicated to me, which re-established that of December the 29th. They
expressed fears, that, under cover of our name, the Nova Scotia oils
would be introduced; and a blank was left in the draught for the means
of preventing that. They have since proposed, that the certificate of
their consul shall accompany the oils, to authorize their admission,
and this is what they will probably adopt. It was observed, that if our
States would prohibit all foreign oils from being imported into them, it
would be a great safeguard, and an encouragement to them to continue the
admission. Still there remains an expression in the _Arret_, t