measure of reciprocity, whereas, in some of our States, no such duties
exist, and in others they are extremely light; because we have been
made to hope a diminution, instead of augmentation; and because this
distinction cannot draw on France any just claims from other nations;
the _jura gentis amicissima_, conferred by her late treaties, having
reference expressly to the nations of Europe only; and those
conferred by the more ancient ones not being susceptible of any other
interpretation, nor admitting a pretension of reference to a nation
which did not then exist, and which has come into existence under
circumstances distinguishing its commerce from that of all other
nations. Merchandise received from them, takes employment from the
poor of France; ours gives it: theirs is brought in, the last stage of
manufacture; ours in the first: we bring our tobaccos to be manufactured
into snuff, our flax and hemp into linen and cordage, our furs into
hats, skins into saddlery, shoes, and clothing; we take nothing till it
has received the last hand.

2. Fish-oils. The Hanseatic treaty was the basis, on which the
diminution of duty on this article was asked and granted. It is
expressly referred to as such, in the letter of Monsieur de Calonne.
Instead, however, of the expression, _huile et graisse de baleine et
d'autres poisons_, used in that treaty, the letter uses the terms,
'_huiles de baleine, spermaceti, et tout ce qui est compris sous
ces denominations._' And the Farmers have availed themselves of this
variation, to refuse the diminution of duty on the oils of the _vache
marine, chien de mer, esturgeon_, and other fish. It is proposed,
therefore, to re-establish in the _Arret_, the expression of the
Hanseatic treaty, and to add, from the same treaty, the articles
'_baleine coupee et fanon de baleine_.'

The letter states these regulations as finally made by the King. The
merchants, on this supposition, entered into speculations. But they
found themselves called on for the old duties, not only on other
fish-oils, but on the whale-oil. Monsieur de Calonne always promised,
that the _Arret_ should be retrospective to the date of the letter, so
as to refund to them the duties they had thus been obliged to pay. To
this, attention is prayed in forming the _Arret_. His majesty having
been pleased, as an encouragement to the importation of our fish-oils,
to abolish the _Droits de fabrication_, it is presumed that the purpose
announ