A Long Period of Depression 103 



on July 4, 1785, with the ship Maria, he went to 

 London and applied to William Pitt, Chancellor 

 of the Exchequer, for aid in transferring the 

 whalers of Nantucket to some port in England. 



Pitt allowed Rotch to wait in idleness for four 

 months and then appointed Lord Hawksbury, 

 "a gentleman not very favorably disposed toward 

 America," to consider the matter. Captain Rotch 

 asked Hawksbury for 100 sterling transporta- 

 tion for a family of five persons, and 100 settle- 

 ment. 



"And what do you propose to give us for this 

 outlay of money?" said Hawksbury. 



" I will give you some of the best blood of the 

 island of Nantucket," replied Rotch. He added 

 that 100 families would take advantage of such 

 an opportunity to emigrate. Hawksbury calcu- 

 lated that a family could be transferred for 87 

 ios., and he offered that sum. Captain Rotch 

 arose to leave, saying, "Thy offer is no object." 



"Well, Mr. Rotch, you will call on me again 

 in two or three days," said Hawksbury. 



"I see no necessity for it," replied the captain, 

 and away he went. The next day Hawksbury 



