RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE 
In the following year, 1776, the government, with a 
view to stimulate all persons engaged in these fisheries, 
established a principle of reward for those ships which 
were most successful in their endeavours ; in accordance 
with which, five different bounties or premiums were 
offered, forming a scale of prizes for those who were so 
fortunate as to prove the five gradations of success, — -the 
sum of five hundred pounds being the maximum, and 
that of one hundred being the minimum prize. 
In 1781, four ships were fitted out for th£ river St. 
Lawrence, but after they had been out a considerable 
time they returned with the discouraging announcement 
of having only procured six gallons of sperm oil among 
them during the whole time of their absence. 
In 1784, France, which it appears had preceded the 
other nations of Europe in the whale fishery, but had 
for many years past for some cause or other hardly had 
any share in it, now endeavoured to revive it, and with 
this view Louis XVI. fitted out six ships from Dunkirk 
on his own account, which were furnished at a great 
expense with a number of experienced harpooners and 
able seamen from Nantucket. 
The adventure was more successful than could have 
been reasonably expected considering the auspices under 
which it was carried on. Several private individuals 
followed the example of his majesty, according to 
Mr. M'Culloch, “and in 1790, France had about forty 
ships employed in the fishery. The revolutionary war 
destroyed every vestige of this rising trade. Since the 
peace the government has made great efforts for its 
