Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Report the subject of the Cod and Whale Fisheries...
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02123 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia Type: Pamphlet Date: 1791 Pagination: 28 p. 35 x 22 cm Order a Copy
Printed by Francis Childs and John Swain. Folio. A-G2 ($1 signed). Full title: "Report of The Secretary of State, on the Subject of the Cod and Whale Fisheries, Made Conformably to an Order of The House of Representatives...." The House issue of this landmark state paper, one of the most important reports made by Jefferson as the first Secretary of State, ranking in importance with his weights and measures report and commerce report. It is important on two levels: first, as the best statistical report on the history and state of the American fisheries and whaling industry; and second, as a partisan political document, in opposition to Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson had long been interested in the American whaling industry, and while still in France, he had compiled a considerable amount of material relating to it. Both the whale and cod fisheries suffered severely during the Revolution, and a combination of taxes and government policy hindered their recovery. Leaders of both industries petitioned the state of Massachusetts for redress, who in turn petitioned the federal Congress, who asked Jefferson to investigate. Jefferson's report advocated strong support by the federal government for the threatened industries. (British government officials had tried to persuade the citizens of Nantucket to migrate to Milford Haven and resume whaling.) Jefferson recognized that the cod and whaling industries could be highly profitable for the young nation, provide a school for American seamen and benefit industries like ship building and equipage. In ascribing many of the difficulties of the American fisheries to foreign interference, Jefferson was pointing his finger squarely at the British. Jefferson's report and the resulting legislation is seen as helping to revive the American fisheries after the Revolution. Evans 23911. See Jefferson Papers 19: 140-236, for text and an extended discussion of the report, its origins and effects.
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