William Rotch
Memorandum, Continued...
part 7
We continued it for two years at a certain loss, with a hope that
some more favorable turn might take place. But no such prospect
appearing, and the loss I had sustained by Captures in the Revo-
lutionary War (about $60,000) had so reduced my property, that I
found it necessary to seek some new expedient to prevent the loss
of all. I found no probable alternative but to proceed to England,
and endeavor to pursue the Fishery from there.
I accordingly took passage on the Ship Maria, William Mooers
Master, accompanied by my son Benjamin, and sailed from Nan-
tucket on the 4th of 7th month 1785. We had a fine passage of
Twenty three days, five of which, having Easterly winds, we gained
only one day’s sail forward in that time. I proceeded to London.
calling on my old friend Doctor William Cooper at Rochester, (who
with his family went to England in this same ship two years be-
fore) and requesting him to accompany me to London, which he
kindly did.
When we reached Shooter’s Hill, in full view of London, and
Eight miles distant, forcibly feeling the great distance which sep-
arated me from my family, myself a stranger in that land, the occa-
sion that drew me there, and the uncertainty of its answering any
valuable purpose, I was overwhelmed with sorrow, and my spirits
so depressed, that in looking toward that great City, no pleasant
pictures were presented to my view. But I found it would not do
to give way to despondence, reason resumed her empire, I was
there, and something must be attempted.
We reached London, and I took lodgings for myself and my son
Benjamin at Thomas Wagstaff’s in Gracechurch Street. Our first
Journey was to the West of England, in which we had the agree-
able company of my friend James Phillips. We visited the Sea
Coast from Southampton, to Falmouth, in search of a good situa-
tion for the Whale Fishery, if we should conclude to form an Estab-
lishment on that Island. We found several Ports suitable for the
purpose, but none that we preferred to Falmouth. In that large
harbor, there are several smaller, that would do well for the busi-
ness. I had very favorable offers of divers places, but I was only
on discovery, and did not wish to entangle myself with any. After
viewing the Coast, and spending some days at Plymouth, we took
a circuitous route, and returned to London. -- At Bristol I visited
the Grave of my Brother Joseph, who died there Eighteen Years
before.
My next Object was to know what encouragement we could
obtain from the British Government.
My friend Robert Barclay perceiving what my business was,
spoke to Harry Beaufoy, a Member of Parliament who introduced
me to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the great William Pitt
then about Twenty seven years of age.)
He received me politely, and heard me patiently. I laid before
him our ruinous situation, saying "When the War began, we de-
clared against taking any part in it, and strenuously adhered to this
determination, thus placing ourselves as a Neutral Island. Never-
theless you have taken from us about Two Hundred sail of Vessels,
valued at 200,000 pounds Sterling, unjustly and illegally. Had that
War been founded on a general Declaration against America, we
should have been included in it, but it was predicated on a Rebel-
lion, consequently none could be in Rebellion but such as were in
arms, or those that were aiding such. We have done neither. As
a proof of our being without the reach of your Declaration, you sent
Commissioners to restore peace to America, in which any Province,
County, Town &c that should make submission, and receive
pardon, should he reinstated in their former situation. As we had
not offended, we had no submission to make, nor pardon to ask --
and it is certainly very hard if we do not stand on better ground
than those who have offended, consequently we remained a part
of your Dominions until separated by the Peace."
This last sentence I pressed closely, wherever I could with pro-
priety introduce it, knowing it was a material point.
After I had done he paused some time, and then answered to our
remaining a part of their Dominions until separated by the Peace,
"most undoubtedly you are right Sir -- Now what can he done for
you?"
I told him that in the present state of things, the principal part
of our Inhabitants must leave the Island. -- Some would go into
the Country -- "A part" said I "wish to continue the Whale Fish-
ery, wherever it can be pursued to advantage -- Therefore, my chief
business is to lay our distressed situation, and the cause of it, before
this Nation, and to ascertain if the Fishery is considered an Object
worth giving such encouragement for a removal to England, as the
subject deserves."
Thus our conversation ended, and I withdrew with my friend
H. Beaufoy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer could not be expected to attend
to all applications, and I suppose he laid mine before the Privy
Council, as the Secretary of the Council Stephen Cotterel sent me
a note soon after this conversation, saying the Council would sit
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