William Rotch
Memorandum, Continued...
part 8
at an early day, when they would hear what I had to offer. I waited
for that early day a month, and then applied to Secretary Cotterel
to know what occasioned the delay -- The answer was, that so much
business lay before them, that they had not been able to attend to
it, but would soon.
Thus I waited, not daring to leave Town lest I should be called
for. This state of things continued more than four months, during
which time I received several, what I called unmeaning Court
messages, "that they were sorry they had not been able to call for
me" &c --
I then desired them to appoint some person for me to confer
with, that the matter might be brought to a close. This was done --
But unhappily Lord I Hawksbury was the person. A greater Enemy
to America, I believe, could not be found in that Body, nor hardly
in the Nation.
I waited on him, and informed him what encouragement I
thought would induce a removal, which I estimated at 100 pounds--
Sterling transportation for a family of five persons, and 100 pounds
settlement. Say 20,000 pounds -- for a hundred families. "Oh!" says
he, "this is a great sum, and at this time when we are endeavoring to
economise in our expenditures." I replied, "Thou mayst think it a
great sum for this Nation to pay, I think two thirds of it a great sum
for you to have taken from me as an Individual, unjustly and
illegally." We had a long conversation, and I left him to call again,
which I did in a few days.
I then added to my demand the liberty to bring in Thirty American
Ships for the Fishery. "Oh no," said he, "that cannot be, our
Carpenters must be employed." I mentioned that we had some
Vessels that we possessed before the War -- "Those can surely be
admitted -- "No -- they must he British built." -- "Will it be any ad-
vantage, if an Emigration takes place, for the Emigrants to bring
property with them?" "Yes" -- "If they can invest their property in
Articles that will be worth double here to what they are there, will
that be an additional advantage to this Country?" "Yes -- certain-
ly" -- "Then why not bring ships, when two of ours will not cost
more than one of yours?" -- "Oh we don't make mercantile calcula--
tions, ‘tis Seamen we want" -- "Then surely two of our Ships will
answer your purpose better than one of yours, as they will make
double the number of Seamen, whieh must be the very thing aimed
at."
He saw that he was in a dilemma, which he could not reason
himself out of, and struggled through with some violence.
He had now made his nice calculation of 87 pounds -10 for
transportation, and settlement of a family -- and says he, "I am
about a Fishery Bill, and I want to come to something that I may
insert it" &c. -- My answer was, "Thy offer is no Object, therefore
go on with thy Fishery Bill, without any regard to me." I was
then taking leave and withdrawing -- "Well, Mr. Rotch, you’ll call
on me again in two or three days."
"I see no necessity for it" -- "But I desire you would."
-- "If it is thy desire perhaps I may call."
However, he let me rest but one day before he sent for me. He
had the old story over again, but I told him it was unnecessary to
enter again into the subject. I then informed him that I had heard
a rumor that Nantucket had agreed to furnish France with a
quantity of Oil. He stepped to his Bureau, took out one of a file of
papers, and pretended to read an entire contradiction, though I was
satisfied there was not a line on the subject.
I said, "it was only a vague report that I heard, and I cannot
vouch for the truth of it -- But we are like drowning men, catching
at every straw that passes by, therefore I am now determined to go
to France, and see what it is -- If there is any such contract, suffi-
cient to retain us at Nantucket, neither you, nor any other Nation
shall have us, and if it is insufficient, I will endeavor to enlarge it."
"Ah!" says he, "Quakers go to France?" -- "Yes," I replied,
"but with regret." I then parted with Lord Hawksbury for the
last time.
I immediately embarked with my Son for Dunkirk, where I drew
up our proposals, and sent them to Paris, not wishing to proceed
further, until I found the disposition of the French Court, They
sent for us to come immediately -- We lost no time in answering the
summons, and soon reached Paris. The Master of Requests who
was the proper Minister to receive our proposals, and to make his re-
marks on the several Articles, had examined them, and made his
remarks accordingly. The propositions were
1st A full and free enjoyment of our Religion, according to
the principles of the people called Quakers --
To which he annexed, "Accorde."
2nd An entire exemption from Military requisitions of every
kind.
To this he annexed the following just remark, "as
they are a peaceable people, and meddle not with the
quarrels of the Princes, neither internal or external, this
proposition may be granted."
The other propositions related to the regulation of the Whale
Fishery.
QUEST, P.O. Box 82, Bellefonte PA 16823
E-mail: quest@quaker.org
Web: http://quakertheology.org