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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 May, 1808.

Dear Sir,—

I enclose the application of Fanning, Coles, and others to send a vessel in ballast, on account of a new question on which I have doubts. Those gentlemen have, with much perseverance and enterprise, discovered a large quantity of sandal-wood on one of the Friendly Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. One cargo they took to China, and have brought the proceeds within a few days. They had previously heard from their captain that he had left between two and three hundred tons, being the residue of what the island can afford, on the island, and had made their application through Dr. Mitchell in time. They have received permission to send the ship to the island and bring the wood here. But they wish for permission to take it to China, which is its only market, and where it will fetch about one hundred thousand dollars, and to bring a cargo as usual from that country. And they represent that almost all the expense consisting in the length of the voyage and freight, a double voyage of twelve months each would consume all the profits. As their characters are perfectly fair, and indeed friendly, as the voyage is attended at this time with less danger to the vessel and seamen than to a belligerent port, as the English will get the wood if they do not take it within eighteen months from last September, and as the sale of the wood seems necessary in order to effect the object of bringing the property home, I would have had no hesitation in granting the request, had it not been for the expressions (in the 7th Section of the Act of 12th March, which gives the power) “that such vessel shall not during the voyage be engaged in any traffic, freighting, or other employment.” Selling the wood in China and taking a cargo in exchange is traffic. But was it intended by the law to exclude any traffic whatever, or only any traffic other than that necessary to bring the property or its proceeds to the United States? The parties wait for your decision.

The two enclosed letters from Passamaquoddy and Sacket’s Harbor are sent for information. The collector of Passamaquoddy is, as you will perceive, a very bad writer, but he is a man of great integrity, zeal, and activity, and full reliance may be placed on his facts as on his exertions. I write to the district attorney of Maine to proceed or to send a lawyer to Passamaquoddy for the purpose of collecting evidence and taking all the necessary steps for prosecuting the agents there and their employers in other seaports.

Sacket has resigned, I believe, from fear, or at least from a wish not to lose his popularity with the people. It is a fact that large quantities, particularly of potash, have arrived at Montreal from his district, which extends along the St. Lawrence from the Canada line to Lake Ontario. I have written to Governor Tompkins for a successor. I believe that the prohibitions laid on the coasting trade by your last instructions are too severe, and must be somewhat relaxed where it can be done without danger. I will prepare something to that effect for your consideration. Please to return the letters.1

With sincere respect and attachment, your obedient servant.

[1 ]See the reply to this letter in Jefferson’s Works, v. 291, dated 20th May, 1808.