206 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



In 1783 a number of our people, entertaining an idea that the island 

 would not support its increasing population, purchased, with others 

 from Providence and Newport, R. I., and Martha's Vinejard, of Peter 

 Hogeboon, jr., and others, what was then known as Olaverack Landing,* 

 above New York, on the Hudson River. The name was changed to 

 " Hudson " the succeeding year. As early as 1784 many families re- 

 moved thither from Nantucket, and among them was Alexander Coffin, 

 a famous London packet commander, and a man of sterling worth. 

 Captain Cofliu was in Paris at the time of the negotiations between 

 Dr. Franklin and the French Government, pending the treaty between 

 that power and America, and was intrusted by Dr. Franklin with his 

 dispatches to the Continental Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia, 

 announcing his success the instant it was assured. As is well known, 

 Captain Coffin faithfully executed the trust reposed in him. Nathan 

 Coffin, of whom Bancroft (vol. 9, p. 313) speaks as a "hero," was also 

 among those who emigrated to Hudson. He was grandfather of Charles 

 H. Marshall, who established in New York the renowned " Black Ball 

 Line" of Liverpool packets. And then there were the Paddocks, Bar- 

 nards, Jenkinses, Gardners, Folgers, Husseys, Worths, Macys, Star- 

 bucks, Cartwrights, in whose veins ran some of the best blood of the 

 island. Soon after the settlement of Hudson the business of whaling 

 and sealing upon Chili was commenced, but it was unsuccessful from the 

 start and was soon abandoned. Notwithstanding the ill-success of their 

 first venture, the people of Hudson, in 1830, again attempted to carry 

 on the business, and procured from Nantucket a number of men for 

 the undertaking. The ships Edward, Martha, Alex. Mansfield, Beaver, 

 America, Henry Astor, Huron, George Clinton, and James Monroe were 

 fitted and sent out. The America returned from the Pacific with up- 

 wards of three thousand barrels of sperm oil. Poughkeepsie also dis- 

 patched ships, N. P. Talmage, Russell, New England, Vermont, and 

 others. After several voyages, both towns abandoned the business. 

 Newbury had a similar experience, sending out the ships North America, 

 Newark, and Russell. In 1817, the city of New York had a hand in 

 the game. Previous to that time Thomas Hazard, esq., li;id operated 

 from New Bedford, and associated himself with Jacob Barker, his son- 

 in-law, sending out the ships Eliza Barker and Diana, followed soon 

 after by the William Tell, Mobile, Trident, and others. Jacob Barker 

 sent many of his own ships also, always with Nantucket commanders. 

 The business was carried on but a very short time, and the shiiJS were 

 sold to New Bedford. 



The whaling from Sag Harbor was commenced with small vessels soon 

 after the American Revolution. Again in 1815, after peace with Eng- 

 land, the business was renewed with ships of 300 tons, which were built, or 

 bought new. Capt. Stephen Skinner, of the ship Indian Chief, and others 



* Dutch Klauffer-achty moaning eight hills or cliffs. 



i 



