Notwithstanding the deep wound which one branch of our fishery had rec’d by an act of the british parliament, We were not without hope, while we had a free and an uninterrupted Commerce with the Mediterranean, and it’s neighbouring ports, that we might still be able not only to employ, but increase the number of our fishermen, and from our local advantages, it is not an extravagant Idea to expect, that we might e’er long have monopolized the Cod-fishery, so far at least as to the exclusion of all Europeans, by being able to undersell them at all foreign markets— but this is a Subject which I am well aware you have long e’er now fully investigated, with all it’s vast, and almost endless Train of concomitant advantages to the 102 Commerce of the United States in general, and that of the Massachusetts in particular— it is not therefore with a presumption to offer any Information, that I now take the Liberty to address you, but only to observe—that the Consequences of an interruption to the prosecution of this important object, at this very critical, and alarming Conjuncture, seem to threaten little less than Ruin.

You are doubtless informed that the King of France has sometime since established a Company under his particular patronage for the purpose of carrying on the Whalefishery, and has granted a large Sum of money to be applied to the indemnification of said Company in case of Loss, with particular priviledges to those who serve in that employment— such singular Indulgencies must doubtless give vigour to any enterprize, and the better to secure success to this favorite object, the Company offer such encouragements to those acquainted with the business, as has already drawn a number of americans, and even english, into their Service— In Autumn 1784 I was in Dunkirk, when three ships sailed from thence for the Coast of Brazil, commanded, & in part manned by Americans—also one for Davis’s straights, & another for Greenland, commanded & principally manned by english— The americans seemed to be greatly elevated wth: their flattering prospects, and often regretted that there were not more of their Countrymen to partake with them, as they seemed to express a fear that many of them were almost starving at home for want of employ— this I then considered only a temporary evil arising from a Cause that materially affected the Commerce of all the States, and for which therefore the Wisdom of Congress wou’d soon find a Remedy, more especially when they saw the danger of our being farther exhausted of our remaining Strength by a most potent Rival, at a time when we were just emerging from the havoc of a most wasteful war—when our taxes are enormous—yet incompetent, and the best—if not the only means, to render them more productive, greatly obstructed— I presume not to point out any mode—or even to say that the Case is remediable—but only—that if the danger of remaining in Statu quo is so greatly alarming, the necessity of a speedy—and if possible permanent peace, with all the Powers on the Coast of Barbary is equally obvious, and pressing, and if attainable—cannot be purchased too soon, or perhaps too dear— We have now unfortunately some of our Countrymen groaning in Slavery under the iron hand of those merciless barbarians, These also call aloud on their Country for instant relief, & redemption— The Portugueze I am informed are now making use of the 103 french Interest & mediation to bring about a peace with the Algerines—for notwithstanding they have 7 or 8 Ships of war constantly cruising to protect their trade, yet those pirates still swarm on their Coast—

I came here upon a plan of Commerce peculiarly advantageous to my Country, but not practicable ’till the grand obstacle is removed— I have also lately written to some of my friends in America to ask their Interest & Recommendation in my behalf whenever Congress shall think proper to appoint a Consul here— Shou’d no one appear with a preferable Claim, and you shou’d deem me eligible—May I beg Leave to ask the Favor of you to signify to Congress that such a choice wou’d meet your approbation—and in the mean time permit me to offer myself in any thing wherein I can be serviceable— my Losses have been very great by the War, particularly in the depreciation of our paper money, which totally annihilated a moderate Independence— It is not long since I concluded to try to repair my ruined fortune in this place, the Consulship wou’d greatly facilitate my design— I have a large family who have been long expecting my Return, but I have a better prospect of providing for them here, if the Communication was uninterrupted— I am with Tender of my best Services in all your Commands—of my most respectfull Regards to your Lady & family— / with the most perfect Esteem / Sir / Your most humble & most obedt. Servant

I am favoured with yours of 27. Decr. and am obliged to you for what you Said to the Count De Vergennes in the Case of the Chevalier De Mezieres.— You may always very Safely depend upon it, that 104 I never have given and never shall give any Opinion against the Letter or Spirit of the Treaty with France. In this Case I have never given any Opinion at all. indeed I have never been consulted. The Marquis De Belgarde, with whom I had a Slight Acquaintance at the Hague, called upon me here after the Death of Gen. Oglethorpe, and desired that Mr Granville Sharp might call upon me and Shew me some Papers relative to the Generals Lands in Georgia. and S. Carolina. Mr Sharpe called accordingly, but shewed me no Papers.— I never looked nor enquired into the Case, but advised both to write and Send a Power of Attorney to our old Friend Edward Rutledge, who was able to give them the best Advice and Information and all the Assistance which the Law allows in their Claim. The Treaty with France never occurred to me, nor was suggested to me in the Conference, nor did I ever give any Opinion on any Question concerning it. I have never written a Line to America about it, nor put pen to Paper. The Supposition that any opinion of yours in private Conversation, or of mine if any such had been given which never was, Should influence Courts and Juries in Georgia or Carolina, is ridiculous. The Case as you State it, indeed appears to be unconnected with the Treaty entirely, and if Sound Sense can remove a Prejudice, what you have said upon it, will put an End to the Jealousy.1

Does the Count de Vergennes pretend that the United States of America, are bound by their Treaty with France never to lay a Duty on French Vessells? The Mass. & N. Ham. Navigation Laws, leave French ships, Subjects & Merchandizes upon the Footing Gentis Amicissimæ. And does the Treaty require more?2

I have been informed by Richard Jackson Esqr,3 whose Fame is known in America, that a Question has been referred to a Number of the first Lawyers common and civil, among whom he was one, “Whether the Citizens of the United States born before the Revolution, were still entituled in the British Dominions to the Rights of British Subjects.” Their unanimous Determination was that Such as were born before, the Signature of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, are Still to be considered as British subjects, if they claim the rights, in the British Dominions.— This Decision was I believe more upon Analogy, and Speculation, than upon any Established Principle or Precedent, Since Ours, is I believe a new Case. how it has been determined in America I know not.— But I believe not the Same Way.— however the Lawyers and Judges may determine it, I wish the 105 Assemblies may adopt it as a Rule, respecting Estates held before the Seperation Since a Generosity of this Kind, will be more for their Honour and their Interest, as I conceive than a rigorous Claim of an Escheat however clear in Law.

The Chevalier De Pinto informs me, that he has written to his Court for Explanations upon Some Points, and expects an Answer in a few Days. When it arrives he will call upon me. in the mean time, he Says his [“]Court is solicitous to Send a Minister to America: but that Ettiquette forbids it, unless Congress will agree to Send one to Lisbon. They would Send a Minister to N. York if Congress would return the Compliment. but if Congress will not Send a Min. Plen. they wish to send a Resident, or even a Chargé des Affaires,” but Ettiquette will not permit this Unless Congress will Send a Resident or Chargé D’Affaires to Portugal.

Is it really expected or intended that Eden Shall do more than Crawford did? Pray let me know, if there is any Probability of a Treaty, in Earnest, between France and England.?

Mr Barrett has it Seems Succeeded very well. and Boylston too.— if this last has made thirty Per Cent Profit, I will answer for it, that he alone will prevent the Expiration of Our Whale Trade and the Depopulation of Nantuckett. He is an admirable Patriot when thirty per Cent, can be made by Serving his Country.— Our Nantuckett & Cape Codd Men and our Boston Merchants are much to blame for having neglected so long the French Markett for their Oil and Fins,—and for remaining so long in Ignorance of it.—

Perhaps the Difference between our White Sperma Cæti Oil and the ordinary Train Oil of the Dutch and English is not yet Sufficiently known to Mr Sangrain. The Dutch I believe take no Sperma Cæti Whales, and it is but lately that the English have taken any, and they are able to take them now, only with our Skippers, Oarsmen and Endsmen. These We shall Soon get back from them if our States are cunning enough to repeal the Refugee Laws, and if France is wise enough to encourage the Exportation of her own Produce & Manufactures by receiving ours in Payment.

Mr Voss from Virginia has just now called upon me and Shewn me a State of the Debt of that Commonwealth which is very consolatory. it is dated 12. Nov. 1785. and signed B. Stark, H. Randolph and J. Pendleton.—4 The whole Debt at that Period was only 928,031£: 9s: od the annual Interest 55.649.£ 15s: 3d. Pension List annually 6,000.£ officers of Government Ditto 29,729.£ Criminal 106 Prosecution ditto 5,509. Thus it appears that 96,878£: 15s. 3d annually will pay the whole Interest of their Debt and all the Charges of Government.

Virginia by this may Sing O be joy full.

on the 19. Nov. The Lower House resolved to invest Congress with full Power to regulate Trade, and in the mean time that all Commerce should cease with the British Colonies in the West Indies and North America, and that all ships of foreign Nations with whom We have not Treaties of Commerce Should be prohibited from importing any Thing but the Productions of their own Country.— it Seems they revoked these Resolutions again, because the House was thin, but with design to take them up in another day. This perhaps may not be done till next year. but it a strong Symptom of what is coming. Mr Voss gives a comfortable Account of the Trade in Peltries as well as Grain & Tobacco.— Every Vessell that arrives brings fresh Comfort. and I fancy our Commerce with the East Indies will be effectually secured by the Reception of Mr Pitts Bill. Mr Voss tells me, that the British Debts will not be permitted to be Sued for untill the Treaty is complied with, by the English by the Evacuation of the Posts and Payment for the Negroes. Ld Carmarthen told me yesterday, that he was labouring at an Answer to my Memorial concerning the Posts and that he should compleat it, as soon as he could get all the Information he was looking for concerning the British Debts, for that Complaints had been made by the Creditors here to Ministry. I am glad that I am to have an Answer.—5 for whatever Conditions they may tack to the Surrender of the Posts, We shall find out what is broiling in their Hearts, and by degrees come together. An Answer, though it might be a rough one, would be better than none. But it will not be rough. They will Smooth it as much as they can and I shall transmit it to Congress who may again pass the smoothing plain over it.— I expect it will end in an Accomodation, but it will take Eighteen months more time to finish it.

With great Esteem yours