Crushed by the Arret of Sept. 28. in its
first feeble effort to revive, it will rise no more. Expeditions,
which require the expence of the outfit of vessels, and from 9. to 12
months navigation, as the Southern fishery does, most frequented by
the Americans, cannot be undertaken in sole reliance on a market
which is opened and shut from one day to another, with little or no
warning. The English alone then will remain to furnish these
supplies, and they must be received even from them. We must accept
bread from our enemies, if our friends cannot furnish it. This comes
exactly to the point to which that government has been looking. She
fears no rival in the whale fishery but America. Or rather, it is
the whale fishery of America of which she is endeavouring to possess
herself. It is for this object she is making the present
extraordinary efforts by bounties and other encouragements: and her
success so far is very flattering. Before the war she had not 100
vessels in the whale trade, while America employed 309. In 1786.
Great Britain employed 151 vessels, in 1787. 286. in 1788. 314.
nearly the ancient American number; while the latter is fallen to
about 80. They have just changed places then, England having gained
exactly what America has lost.
Pages:
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100