The practice had been previously suggested by Gerry, upon whose motion, a salutary regulation was established, requiring an annual account to be exhibited, at each session of Congress, of the expenditures under acts of appropriation. He showed, at the same time, "that accounts from the Treasury could never give the information wanted; they generally stated sums of money paid to individuals without mention of particular objects, to which they were meant to be applied. This was a favorable opportunity," he observed, "to establish some such regulations as were contemplated by members;" and, repelling the insinuation of Madison, he remarked, "our officers have had, and deserve the confidence of the people."

CHAPTER LXVIII.

AN interesting question was at this time discussed, during the debate on a bill for the encouragement of the Fisheries.

This subject was brought before Congress, by a representation, made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, setting forth the necessity of Legislative protection to this important branch of industry. Its consideration appropriately belonged to the department of the Treasury, as involving important questions connected with the revenue. But, as it affected the interests of a section of the Union, in which it was deemed of great moment to acquire popularity; and might be employed as a mean of arraying the passions of New England, against Great Britain, and on the side of France-the friends of the Secretary of State caused the memorial to be referred to him. A Report had been made by Jefferson during the previous Session of Congress, but was not then acted upon. The representation of Massachusetts stated, as the embarrassments to be corrected-heavy duties on their produce abroad; bounties on that of their competitors; and duties at home on several articles particularly used in the Fisheries; and asked, that those duties might be taken off, that bounties might be given to the fishermen ; *February 4, 1791.

*

and the national influence be used abroad for obtaining better markets for their produce.

The Report of Jefferson commenced, with a history of the discovery of Newfoundland by the Cabots in fifteen hundred and nine; and proceeded, with a narrative of the Biscayans of Spain, the Basques and Bas Bretons. of France; and, of the rise and progress of the Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, and American Cod fisheries to the period of the Report.

Having contrasted the advantages and disadvantages, which affected the United States in a conflict for them, he stated, "that it will rest with the wisdom of the Legislature to decide, whether prohibition should not be opposed to prohibition, and high duty to high duty, on the fish of other nations; whether any and which of the naval and other duties may be remitted; or an equivalent given to the fishermen, in the form of a drawback, or bounty; and whether the loss of markets abroad, may not, in some degree, be compensated by creating markets at home?"

The memorial presented specific subjects of consideration; and the Report admitted, that this fishery would be ruined, unless legislative aid was interposed. But, it merely suggeste, that fish might be constituted "a part of the military ration; a part of the necessary sea stores of vessels; and the encouraging private individuals to let the fisherman share with the cultivator, in furnishing the supplies of the table "—a proposition, instead of legislative protection, of legislative encouragement of the tastes of the American people, a proposition to increase the number of Ichthyophagites!

A minute history was also given of the Whale fishery; of the rapid growth of the English fishery, by the

* American State Papers, vol. i.-Commerce and Navigation-p. 8.

grant and increase of bounties; and of the countervailing efforts of France, to allure the American fishermen to Dunkirk, by bounties. These failing, her reduction of duties on American whale oil; her subsequent exclusion of all foreign fish oils, which "palsied" the American fishery; and her recent decree opening her ports to American oils, while she continued "her endeavors to recover a share in this Fishery, by the aid of our fishermen," were mentioned.

The Report then raised the question as to the modes of relief; "a remission of duties" on the articles used for their calling-as to which, no opinion is given; "a retaliating duty on foreign oils" directed against Great Britain; and "free markets abroad." In discussing this last topic, the beneficial nature of the general trade with France, and her friendly dispositions, were insisted upon; and the necessity urged of counter regulations against England, who was represented, to have shown no disposition "to arrange this or any other commercial matter to mutual convenience;" and to have begun ex parte regulations" for mounting their navigation on the ruin of ours." Among these counter regulations, the exclusion of her vessels from the carriage of American productions, was represented, as offering the advantage of the protection and increase of seamen; and, as promising a full indemnity for the injuries which now were, and might be, sustained; while the idea was held out, that the Treasury might be relieved from the necessity of giving support to the Fisheries; and that a market for part of their products "may, perhaps, be preserved with nations, whose arrangements are friendly with us.”

*

This important subject had early engaged Hamilton s

*In 1840, the fishery tonnage of the United States was 188,000, being more than one-fifth of its total tonnage.

*

attention. In the act making further provision for the debt, in lieu of a drawback upon salt, a bounty was granted on exported fish. He subsequently was in correspondence with Cabot, in relation to it. A brief view was taken by this Senator, of the commercial relations of the United States with France and Great Britain. From this view, it would seem, that the system of the former was the just object of solicitude to those interested in the fisheries of New England. Her efforts "to create a market in France for the produce of the whale fishery of the United States, had been of much benefit to us; but, partly from her fluctuating policy towards this country, and partly from the excessive premiums, she gives to her own vessels, it was feared, her whale fishery will be eventually established on the ruins of ours." If "counter regulations" for the protection of this great interest were the true policy of this country, why England should alone be selected as the object of them, it would be difficult to show.

The Report of the Secretary of State was referred to a Committee of the Senate, of which Cabot was Chairman; and, a bill for the encouragement of the Fisheries was reported by him. Hamilton soon after submitted to Congress a statement of the amount of the allowances.

Intending to give efficient aid to an interest, in all its aspects, of the highest importance, the framers of this bill wholly disregarded every suggestion of Jefferson's Report. The first section of it enacted, that the "bounty" now allowed, upon the exportation of dried fish of the fisheries of the United States, should cease; and that, in lieu of it, a "bounty" per ton should be paid to the owner of every vessel engaged in this trade, for four months of each fishing season, and qualified by law for carrying it on; three-eighths of this bounty to accrue to the owner,

Hamilton's Works, v. 486.