This might not only counteract the
effect of premiums in the instance of whale-oils, but attack the whole
British system of bounties and drawbacks, by the aid of which they
make London the centre of commerce for the whole earth. A less general
remedy, but an effectual one, was, to prohibit the oils of all European
nations: the treaty with England requiring only, that she should be
treated as well as the most favored European nation. But the remedy
adopted was, to prohibit all oils, without exception.
To know how this remedy will operate, we must consider the quantity of
whale-oil which France consumes annually, the quantity she obtains from
her own fishery; and, if she obtains less than she consumes, we are to
consider what will follow the prohibition.
The annual consumption of France, as stated by a person who has good
opportunities of knowing it, is as follows.
lbs. pesant. quinteaux. tons.
Paris, according to the registers of
1786,.................................2,800,000 28,000 1750
Twenty-seven other cities, lighted
by M.
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