hem formidable scourges on the British
commerce. It is to be considered then, on the one hand, that the duty
which M. de Calonnes had proposed to retain on their 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 Calonnes 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 everything 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 b