A Long Period of Depression 107 



whalers numbered 81 at the same period. Both 

 England and France got some of what Captain 

 Rotch called "the best blood of Nantucket. " 



To complete the story of Captain Rotch, it 

 appears from manuscripts quoted by Starbuck that 

 he had to return to America eventually. He wrote : 



"In the beginning of 1793 I became fully aware 

 that war between England and France would soon 

 take place, therefore it was time for me to leave 

 the Country in order to save our vessels if cap- 

 tured by the English. I proceeded to England. 

 Two of them were captured, full of oil, and con- 

 demned, but we recovered both by my being in 

 England, where I arrived two weeks before the 

 war took place. My going to France to pursue 

 the whale fishery so disappointed Lord Hawksbury 

 that he undertook to be revenged on me for his 

 own folly, and I have no doubt gave directions to 

 the cruisers to take any of our vessels that they 

 met with going to France. When the Osprey was 

 taken by a King's ship the officer sent on board to 

 examine the papers called to the captain & said, 

 'You'll take this vessel in, sir; she belongs to 

 William Rotch/" 



