78 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



by American seamen ; wears the rebel colors & belongs to the Island 

 of Nantucket in Massachusetts. This is the first vessel which displayed 

 the thirteen rebellious stripes of America in any British Port. The 

 vessel lies at Horseley down a little below the Tower, and is intended 

 immediately to return to New England." Immediately after, almost 

 simultaneously with her, arrived another ship from Nantucket — the 

 Industry, Capt. John Chadwick, while the sloop Speedwell, James 

 Whippey, master, was sent to Aux Oayes.* Those at Nantucket who 

 had capital left resumed the whale-fishery with as many vessels as they 

 could procure. Long comparative immunity from capture had caused 

 the whaliug-grounds to become repopulated, and the whales themselves 

 had become less shy and hence more easily killed. Directly succeeding 

 the war the products of the fishery commanded good prices, and soon 

 other ports entered into competition. New London, Sag Harbor, Hud- 

 son, N. Y., Boston, Hingham, Wellfleet, Braintree,t Plymouth, Bristol, 

 each sent out one or more whale-hunters. For a brief time the business 

 promi;-ed much profit, but the fever was a fitful one. Theexcessive prices 

 which the commodity commanded immediately after the war| rapidly be- 

 came reduced 5 GreatBritain,theonly market for the sperm-oil, had, by an 

 alien duty of £18 sterling per ton, practically precluded its shipment from 

 America. Oil which before the war was worth £30, now scarcely brought 

 £17, while to cover expenses and leave a reasonable margin for profit, 

 £25 were required.§ The situation was indeed desperate — almost hope- 

 less. In the discussion of means for relief many of the people of Nan- 

 tucket expressed tke opinion that if the island could be made neutral, 

 commercial affairs might assume a more healthy tone. A memorial was 

 finally sent to the legislature of Massachusetts prating relief, and the 

 agents presenting it were instructed to have the subject of neutrality 

 acted upon. As may be readily supposed, however, the invidious legisla- 

 tion that Nantucket was unable to obtain during the war, she would 

 scarcely' be likely to get on its conclusion, and the subject of neutrality 

 was very properly dismissed. That the depression in the whaling busi- 

 ns:ss needed some alleviation was, however, too evident to require dis- 

 cussion, and in 1785 the legislature pas'ated cne following preamble and 

 resolution: 



"Whereas this court, having a due sense of the high worth and im- 

 portance of the whale fishery, are desirous of its preservation, not only 

 to this State, but to the United States iu general; therefore, 



^^Besolved, That there be paid, out of the treasury of this commonwealth, 

 the following bounties upon whale-oil, of the different qualities hereafter 

 mentioned, viz: For every ton of white spermaceti oil, five pounds; for 

 every ton of brown or yellow spermaceti oil, sixty shillings ; for every 

 toil of whale oil, (so called,) forty shillings, that may be taken or caught 



* Letter of William Rotch, esq. 



tOno small schooner of 38 tous burden hailed from Braiutree. 



t Macy's Nantucket, 121. 



$ See Mr. Rotch's MS. 



