Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

In a country like Great-Britain, whose commerce is extended to almost every part of the globe, and whose envied greatness was even raised from a state of barbarism by that enterprising spirit of commerce, which hath hitherto pervaded the whole nation, it is astonishing, that no attempt hath been made before, to open a trade to the discoveries made on the North-West Coast of America by that ornament of his country, Capt. James Cook.

Never was a discovery made, of greater importance than this part of America; and had that great navigator survived this expedition, long ere this would, this country have poured her manufactures into every part of that continent. No country can hold out a more sure or inexhaustible source of wealth, than King George's Sound, and Cook's River, in their furs, which abound in the greatest numbers, particularly that most valuable of all others, the Sea-Otter.

This article alone is of importance sufficient to claim the utmost exertions of a commercial nation; the uncommon estimation in which they are held at Japan, and the other rich and populous islands contiguous to the opposite continent would be a temptation of so great a magnitude, as even to open a direct trade with the Japanese islands. Dr. Thunberg says, in so high estimation are the Sea Otter skins held at Japan, that he hath known them sell from 250 to 500, nay, even 600 dollars per skin: at China, Capt. Cook's people sold them as high as 120 dollars per skin.

Were a few well-established and protected factories made on the coast between Cape Blanco and Cook's River, we might completely secure the trade of the whole continent. Exclusive of the uncommon value of the fur trade, it would be an inexhaustible mart of manufactures of this country of every description, which might be poured into all the rich islands on the coast of Asia; the Mexican and Guatimala coast, and Terra Firma, as far as Panama, nay, even as far as Peru and Chili, would be within the circle of our commerce, and would gladly open their ports, either directly or by other means, to receive the manufactures of England, when it is considered, that the most valuable furs brought to this country are sold to the Russians, who transport them by their caravans to China, a distance of 4000 miles) and that the Chinese afterwards dispose of them to the Japanese islands and coast of Asia which are not more than five or six weeks sail from George's Sound.

Of what immense advantage must it be, to open a direct communication between the continents, even for the disposal of that single article of furs alone! - The discerning eye of the Imperial Joseph saw it in its true light and gave the utmost assistance to his subjects to make the attempt. He purchased and fitted out a ship in the river Thames, for the sole purpose of encouraging his subjects to attempt to establish a trade of such promising advantages to his country: this ship sailed to Trieste to take in her cargo; but the unfortunate failure of the Imperial Company put a stop to it for that time.

France hath been two years in fitting out; and, but for a dispute between the Minister and merchants, they would have some months ago. America hath not been behind-hand: some merchants of Charleston and London fitted out a large ship, at a very great expense, in the river Thames. which was to sail under American colours; but the death of the conductor and director of the voyage put an end to that enterprise.

The Portuguese flag hath had it in agitation. Russia's commercial Empress hath made a noble attempt, an undertaking which will ever be an ornament to her illustrious reign; no expense hath been spared to ensure success; at this instant, she hath near nine hundred people, collected from all quarters of the globe, for their abilities, under the direction of one of our officers, a Mr. Billings, traversing the dreary regions of the North of Russia, in their road to Kamchatka, where they are to make establishments for the opening a direct communication between the two continents.

That the commercial genius of Great Britain should remain a silent spectator of the attempts of other nations to avail themselves of the advantages of such important discoveries; that the companions of the immortal Cook, for want of encouragement from their countrymen, should be necessitated to accept the invitation of foreigners to conduct their flag to so valuable and promising a source of commerce, appears astonishing indeed! But we have now the utmost satisfaction in assuring our readers, that, under the patronage of the present Ministers, there is every probability of Great-Britain at last reaping the advantage of her own discoveries; as we cannot entertain a doubt but the two ships, the King George and Queen Charlotte, just sailed, will be the first upon the coast; and if their plans are well laid, and they are enabled to make proper establishments, there cannot be a doubt of their opening a source of commerce of astonishing magnitude.