5071. MARKETS, Fish oil.—[further continued].
France is the only country
which can take our surplus, and they take
principally of the common oil; as the habit
is but commencing with them of a just value
to spermaceti whale. Some of this, however,
finds its vent there. There was, indeed,
a particular interest perpetually soliciting the
exclusion of our oils from their markets.
The late government there saw well that what
we should lose thereby would be gained by
others, not by themselves. And we are to
hope that the present government, as wise
and friendly, will also view us, not as rivals,
but as cooperators against a common rival
(England). Friendly arrangements with
them, and accommodation to mutual interest,
rendered easier by friendly dispositions existing
on both sides, may long secure to us this
important resource for our seamen. Nor is
it the interest of the fisherman alone which
calls for the cultivation of friendly arrangements
with that nation; besides by the aid
of which they make London the centre of
commerce for the earth. A less general
remedy, but an effectual one, was to prohibit
the oils of all European nations; the treaty
with England requiring only that she should
be treated as well as the most favored European
nation. But the remedy adopted was
to prohibit all oils, without exception.—
To Count de Montmorin. Washington ed. ii, 520.
(P.
1788)
