COMMERCE. 253 



" This document famishes a very careful estimate of the quan- 

 tity of spermaceti oil imported into the United States during the 

 year 1834. Since the first of January, there have arrived from 1 

 the Pacific ocean fifty-five ships, viz. : Into the port of Nantucket, 

 11; New Bedford, 25; Plymouth, 2; Fairhaven, 6; New London, 

 2 ; Edgarton, 2 ; Sag Harbour, 2 ; Warren, 2 ; Falmouth, Bristol, 

 and Hudson, each one. The cargoes of these ships average little 

 more than two thousand barrels each ; add to this quantity sixteen 

 thousand barrels, estimated to have been brought from the South 

 Atlantic ocean, making about one hundred and twenty-eight thou- 

 sand barrels, and we have the entire quantity of spermaceti oil 

 imported in the course of the last year. Of this quantity, seventy 

 thousand five hundred and seventy-seven barrels were received at 

 New Bedford, and the residue at Nantucket and other places. 



" Among the ships now abroad, there are thirty-one which sailed 

 in 1831 ; seventy-three, 1832; eighty-eight, 1833; and sixty-five, 

 1834. The number of spermaceti whale-ships expected to arrive 

 within the year 1835, may be set down at seventy, and their car- 

 goes at one hundred and thirty-five thousand barrels, valued at 

 more than three millions of dollars. 



" Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



J. N. REYNOLDS, 



" Hon. DUTEE J. PEARCE." 



In addition to all this information, your committee have availed 

 themselves of a letter from one of our ablest and most experienced 

 commanders, addressed to an honourable member of this house ; 

 and the liberal and practical views expressed, entitle the opinions 

 of the writer to great weight. 



!*^* : ^ 



" CHARLESTOWN, (Mass.) January 21, 1835. 



" DEAR SIR : In compliance with your request that I would 

 communicate to you, in writing, my views on the subject of a 



