Around 1818, New York City required all fish oil bought and sold to be inspected and paid an inspection fee of $25. One day, a fish oil businessman bought three barrels of whale oil and intended to make whale oil into candles to sell. The fish oil inspector found that the whale oil had not been checked at all. Under the Fish Oil Act, the businessman had to be inspected and paid a fee. But the businessman claimed that the whale was not a fish and refused to pay the fee
The relevant laws of New York City have made it clear that fish oil includes whale oil and other fish oil.
he was taken to court. The jury finally upheld the plaintiff and ordered the businessman to pay a $75 inspection fee.