ist 



" We exchatige for molass^i those fish that it Is impossible to dispose 

 of anywhere else; we have no market within our reach but the islands 

 from whence we get molasses in return, which again we manufacture intp 

 rum. It is'scarcely possible to maintain our fisheries with advantage, 

 if the commerce lor summer fish is injured, which I conceive it wpuld 

 be very materially, if a high duty is imposed upon this a,rlicle; nay, it 

 would carry devastation throughout all the New England States: it 

 would ultimately affect all throughout the Union. # » * The 

 taking of fish on the B:mks is a very tnoiriehtous concerii; it forms a 

 nursery for seamen, and this will be the source from Which we are to 

 derive maritime importance. It is the policy of some nations to drive 

 us fronl this prolific source of wealth and strength; btit What their de- 

 testable efforts have in vain endeavored to do, you Will accomplish by 

 a high duty on this article." 



Again he said : " / conceive, sir, that the present constitution was dtctdteB 

 by commercial necessity more than any other cause. The want of an efficient 

 government to secure the manufactiirirtg interests, and to advance our com- 

 merce, was long seen by men of judgmerit, aiid pointed out by patriots solici- 

 tous to promote the general welfare, if the duty which we contend 

 against is found to defeat these objects, I am convinced the represeiit- 

 alives of the people will give it up. I trust that gentlemen are well 

 satisfied that the support of our agriculture, manufactures, navigation 

 and fisheries, are objects of very great moment. When gentlemf:n con- 

 template the fishery, they admit its importance, and the necessity we are 

 under of encouraging and protecting it, especially if they consider its decliii- 

 ing situation; that it is excluded from' those advantages which it formerly 

 obtained in British ports, and participates but in a small degree of the ben- 

 efits arising from our European allies, whose tnarhets are visited under severe 

 restrictions: yet, with all the^e discouragements, it maintains an extent which 

 entitles it to the fost(iring care (f gowmment." »*#### « j^ 

 short, unless some extram-dinary maisures are taken to siipporf our fisheries, 

 I do not see what is to p-event their inevitable ruin. It is a fact, that 

 hear one-third of our fishermen are taken from their profession — not for 

 want of skill and abilities in the art, for here they take the rank of every 

 nation on earth — but from the local, chilling policy of foreign nations, 

 who shut us out from the avenues to market. If, insfind of protecti&h, 

 from the government, we extend to them oppression, I shudder for rhe conse- 

 qtiences." Still further: "It is supposed that the fishermen must be 

 poor, if they are not able to bear the tax proposed. / contend they ore 

 very poor: they are in a sinking state; ihey carry on the business in despair. 

 But gentlemen will ask us, ' Why, then, do they not quit the prufssidn?' 

 I answer, in the ^ words that are often used in i/ie eastern country respecting 

 the inhabitants of Cape Cod^lhey are foo^ poor to live there, and are too 

 pour to remove." The remarkable coincidence, in many particulars, 

 between 17S9 and 1852, as indicated in the passages, which I have 

 placed in italics, cannot escape the attention of persons acquaiiited 

 with the subject. 



ant question, ffis speech on the British treaty in 1794 was Ms greatest eflbrt. Eminent 

 alike for his talents and his purity of character, he was an ornameat to his country. Ha tliea 

 in 1808. 



