Monsieur Lambert, with a patience and assiduity
almost unexampled, went through all the investigations necessary to
assure himself, that the conclusion of the committee had been just.
Frequent conferences on this subject were held in his presence; the
deputies of the chambers of commerce were heard, and the result was, the
_Arret_ of December the 29th, 1787, confirming the abatements of duty,
present and future, which the letter of October, 1786, had promised,
and reserving to his Majesty, to grant still further favors to that
production, if, on further information, he should find it for the
interest of the two nations.
The English had now begun to deluge the markets of France with their
whale-oils; and they were enabled by the great premiums given by
their government, to undersell the French fisherman, aided by feebler
premiums, and the American, aided by his poverty alone. Nor is it
certain, that these speculations were not made at the risk of the
British government, to suppress the French and American fishermen in
their only market. Some remedy seemed necessary. Perhaps it would not
have been a bad one, to subject, by a general law, the merchandise of
every nation and of every nature, to pay additional duties in the ports
of France, exactly equal to the premiums and drawbacks given on the same
merchandise by their own government.
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