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Subject Area: Economics
Subject Area: Political Theory

GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON.

Washington, 16th April, 1807.

Dear Sir,—

I enclose Governor Harrison’s letter and his contract with Mr. Taylor for the lease of the Saline, which, as you will perceive, requires your approbation. The contract is certainly an advantageous one for the intended object,—the reduction of the price of salt. I believe that it will be found cheaper to carry the water by pipes lower down the creek than to attempt to improve its navigation. But a road would be useful. We have gained about two thousand dollars after paying the agent on the re-sale of salt during the former lease; but how far we are authorized to apply that money to improvement is a question to be examined. Would it not be advisable to order immediately all the intruders on the land, the timber of which will be wanted, to be removed? Mr. Madison proposes that we should offer to Great Britain to give up all the British sailors who shall not have been in our employment two years previous to the exchange of ratifications of the treaty. Our tonnage employed in foreign trade has increased since 1803 at the rate of about 70,000 tons a year, equal to an increase of 8400 sailors for two years, and I would estimate that the British sailors have supplied from one-half to two-thirds of that increase; for the natural increase of our native sailors has been in a great degree absorbed by the increase of whale-fisheries and impressments. Supposing, however, that proposition to deprive us of five thousand British sailors, I would agree to it on condition that the British will relinquish impressments and agree to those reasonable modifications founded on reciprocity in the 3d and 5th and colonial articles, which our examination of the subject and the opinion of the gentlemen we have consulted have suggested. Will you have the goodness to inform me when you expect to return? My health requires a short excursion, and I wish to time it so as to be here at that time.

With respect and attachment, your obedient servant.