157 



" We exchange for molasses those fish that it is impossible to dispose 

 of anywhere else; we have no market within our reach but the islands 

 from whence we get molasses in return, which again we manufacture into 

 rum. It is scarcely possible to maintain oar fisheries with advantage, 

 if the commerce tor summer fish is injured, which I conceive it would 

 be very materially, if a high duty is imposed upon this article; nay, it 

 w^ould carry devastation throughout all the New England States: it 

 would ultimately affect all throughout the Union. * * * The 

 taking of fish on the Banks is a very momentous concern ; it forms a 

 nursery f()r seamen, and this will be the source from which we are to 

 derive maritime importance. It is the policy of some nations to drive 

 us from this prolific source of wealth and strength; but what their de- 

 testable effinls have in vain endeavored to do, you will accompHsh by 

 a high duty on this article." 



Again he said : " / conceive, sir, that the present constitution was dictated 

 hj commercial necessity more than awj other cause. The want of an efficient 

 government to secure the manvjltcturing interests, and to advance our com- 

 merce, was loner seen by men of judginent, and pointed out by patriots solici- 

 tous to promote the general wefare. Jf the duty which we contend 

 against is found to defeat these objects, I am convinced the represent- 

 atives of the people will give it up. I trust that gentlemen are well 

 satisfied that the support of our agriculture, manufactures, navigation 

 and fisheries, are obj,'cts of very great moment. When gentlemen con- 

 template the fishery, they admit its importance, and the nec/ssity ice are 

 under of enamragiug and protecting it, especially if they consider its declin- 

 ing situation; that it is excluded from those advantages which it formerly 

 obtained in British ports, atid participates but in a small degree of the ben- 

 efits arising from our European allies, whose markets are visited under severe 

 restrictions: yet, with all the^e discouragements, it maintains an eutcnt which 

 entitles it to the fostering care (f govirnmcnt,^'' ****** "Jq 

 shoit, unless some extraordinary measures are taken to support our fisheries, 

 I do not see what is to prevent their inevitable ruin. It is a fact, that 

 near one-third of our fishermen are taken from their profession — not, for 

 want of skill and abilities in the art, fir here they take the rank cf every 

 nation on earth — but from the local, chilhng policy of foreign nations, 

 who shut us out from the a\enues to market. If, instead of protection 

 from the government, wc extend to them oppression, I shudder for the conse- 

 quences.^' Still further: "It is supposed that the fishermen must be 

 poor, if they are not able to bear the tax proposed. I contend thei/ ore 

 very poor: they are in a sinking slate; they carry on the business in despair. 

 But gentlemen will ask us, ' Why, then, do they not quit the prifssum?^ 

 I anstver, in the words that are often used in the eastern country respecting 

 the inhabitants of Cape Cod — they are too poor to live there, and are too 

 jJoor to remove.^'' The remtirkable coincidence, in many particulars, 

 between 17S9 and 1852, as indicated in the passages which I have 

 placed in italics, cannot escape the attention of persons acquainted 

 with the subject. 



ant question. His speech on the British treaty in 1794 was his greatest efTort. Eminsnt 

 alike for his talents and his purity of character, he was an oru iineiit to his country. lid died 

 in IdOd. 



