eir oil, may endanger the shifting
this useful body of seamen out of our joint scale into that of the
British; and also may suppress a considerable subject of exchange for
the productions of France: on the other hand, that it may produce an
addition to his Majesty's revenue. What I have thus far said, is on
the supposition, that the duty may operate a diminution of the price
received by the fishermen. If it act in the contrary direction, and
produce an augmentation of price to the consumer, it immediately brings
into competition a variety of other oils, vegetable and animal, a good
part of which France receives from abroad, and the fisherman, thus
losing his market, is compelled equally to change either his calling or
country. When M. de Calonne first agreed to reduce the duties to what he
has declared, I had great hopes the commodity could bear them, and
that it would become a medium of commerce between France and the United
States. I must confess, however, that my expectations have not been
fulfilled, and that but little has come here as yet. This induces me
to fear, that it is so poor an article, that any duty whatever will
suppress it. Should this take place, and the spirit of emigration once
seize those people, perhaps an abolition of all duty might then come too
late to stop, what it would now easily prevent. I fear there is danger
in the experiment; and it remains for the wisdom of his Majesty and his
ministers to decide, whether the prospect of gain to the revenue, or
establishing a national fishery, may compensate this danger. If the
government should decide to retain the duty, I shall acquiesce in it
cheerfully, and do every thing in my power to encourage my countrymen
still to continue their occupation.

The actual session of our several legislatures would render it
interesting to forward immediately the regulations proposed on our
commerce; and the expiration of the order of Bernis, at the close of
this month, endangers a suspension and derangement in the commerce of
tobacco, very embarrassing to the merchants of the two countries.
Pardon me therefore, Sir, if I appear solicitous to obtain the ultimate
decision of his Majesty's Council on these subjects, and to ask as early
a communication of that decision, as shall be convenient.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most profound esteem and
respect, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXIII.-