1From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Sr., 2 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not, till yesterday, obtain the details you desired in your letter of Nov. 21 on the subject of whale oil. They are as follows, and are furnished me by Mr. Barrett, a Boston merchant established at Paris for the sole purpose of receiving consignments of whale oil, and selling them. Black whale oil, or common whale oil costs in America £21 the ton lawful. Spermaceti oil costs £38 lawful...