CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 17 



visited Prince William Sound, but fouud no liussians. 

 Haro, however, found a Russian colony at Three Saints, on 

 Kadiak Island. This was the easternmost place which 

 had at this time a permanent Russian settlement. The 

 voyagers took possession of I'nalaska for Sjjain, but after- 

 wards found Russian traders on the island. 



In the same year, a Russian vessel explored Prince Wil- .,-J'"'^' pp- 267- 

 linm Sound, Yakutat, and Lituya P>ays, allot which had"' 

 previously been examined by English or French voyagers. 



In 1788, vessels from the United States tirst traded on Xoriiiwost 

 the north-west coast. '^^'' '""'• '• ^■ 



Upon the conflict of interests at this time along this part 

 of the American coast, and the rival claims to territory 

 there, Bancroft makes the following remarks: 



The events of 1787-'S8 nm.st have been jmzzliri.u- to the natives of Alaska, p. 267. 

 Prhice William Soiiiul. Eiijilishineu under the Enij^lish flag, English- 

 men nuderllii' I'ortngnesc flag, Spaniards and Russians, were cruiz- 

 ing about, often Avithin a iVw miles of each other, taking possession, 

 for one nation or the other of all the land iu sight. 



Referring to Billing's Russian scientilic exploring expe- 

 dition, by which several voyages were made from 1787 to 

 to 17111 in the Behring Sea region, Bancroft says: 



The geographical results may be set down at next to nothing, Avith "'kI , i-- -96. 

 the exception of the thorough surveys of Captain Bay iu Illiuliuk 

 Harbour on ITnalaska Islau(l. Every other ])art of the work had 

 already been done by Cook. 



The complaints of natives, against the practices of inde- 

 pendent traders and adventurers, brought back by this 

 expedition, had much to do Avith the subsequent grant of 

 a monoi)oly of the trade to the Russian-American Com- 



l)any. 

 11> In 1789, tM'elve vessels at least are known to have(.„^\!{'\'.,',',"' j,j* 



been trading on the north-west coast.* 204-'.'i2. 



The well known "Nootka" seizures by the S])aniards 

 occurred in this year. 



In 1700, Fidalgo sailed from Nootka. then occupied by ^'-'^'-i p'^"3- 

 Spain, to examine the north-west coast, including l^rincc 



1 l)i(I »i '19^ 



William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Kadiak. The tradi ;- " 

 vessel "Phcenix," Captain Moore, from the East Indies, 

 was in Prince AVilliam Sound in this year. 



At this time also, Russia and Sweden being at war, a i'"''>p-28.5. 

 Swedish cruizer visited the Aleutian islands, but tinding 

 no Government establishment to attack, and no Russians 

 exce])t traders living "in abject misery,'' her Commander 

 refrained from disturbing them. 



In 1701, JMalaspina, from Spain, under orders of his Gov- 

 ernment, visited several |)laces upon what is nowthcxVlaskan 

 coast. Marchand, in the "Solide," from France, on a 



'In manj^ cases no records exist of the trading voyages made to 

 the north-west coast, and the existing records are very Incomplete. 

 It is in some cases certainly known that these traders extended their 

 operations to the north of the limit mentioned in the Ukase of 1799, 

 or that of the Ukase of 1821. In other cases the extent of the voy- 

 ages made is unknown. The traders went, in fact, wherever skins 

 could be ])urchased, and, if disap])ointecl or forestalled at one place, 

 at once departed for another. None of these trading-vessels were 

 Russian. 



S. Ex. 177, pt. 4 L' 



Il)i.l.,i). 274. 



