CASE OF GREAT BKITAIN. 39 



RUSSIAN DEFENCE OF XTKASK. 



On the 28th of the same month the Russian Representa- J^- de Poietica 

 tive replied at length, defending the territorial claim on A<iams! ' F<'i)ni- 

 grounds of discovery, lirst occupation, and undisturbed "'■>' ?^' ^o.^r 

 ])ossession, and explaining the motive which determined Papers, Foieicrn 

 the Imperial (Government in framing the Ukase. pp^sei^se^^^^s'^'^ 



He wrote: Appendix, vol. ll. 



Part II No. 1. 



I shall bf more succinct, sir, in the exposition of the motives ■which 

 determined the Imperial Government to ])r()hibit foreign vessels 

 from approaching the north-west coast of America belonging to Rus- 

 sia within the distance of at least 100 Italian miles. Tliis measure, 

 however severe it may at first appear, is, after all, but a measure of 

 prevention. It is exclusively directed against the culpable enterjjrises 

 of foreign adventurers, who. not content with exercising upon the 

 coasts above mentioned an illicit trade very prejudicial to the rights 

 reserved entirely to the Russian-American Company, take upon them 

 besides to furnisli arms and ammunition to the natives in the Russian 

 possessions in America, exciting them likewise in every manner to 

 resist and revolt against the authorities there established. 



The American Government doubtless recollects that the irregular 

 conduct of these adventurers, the majority of wlnun was comjiosed of 

 American citizens, has been the ol)ject of tlie most pressing remon- 

 strances on the part of Russia to the Federal Government from the 

 time that Diplomatic Missions were organized between the countries. 

 These remonstrances, repeated at ditt'erent times, remain constantly 

 without etil'ect, and the inconveniences to which they ought to bring 

 a remedy continue to increase. . . . 



UKASi: haski) on doctrine of mare ci..\r.suM. 



I ought, in the last ])lace, to request you to consider, sir, that the 

 Russian possessions in the Pacitic Ocean extend, on the north-west 

 coast of America, from Behring Strait to the 51st degree of north 



latitude, and on the oi)posite side of Asia and the islands adja- 

 49 cent, from the same strait to the 4.5th degree. The extent of sea 



of which these possessions form the limits comprehends all 

 the conditions which are ordinarily attached to shut seas (''mers 

 ferm^es"), and the Russian Government might consequently judge 

 itself autboiizcd to exercise upon this sea the right of sovereignty, 

 and especially that of entirely interdicting the entrance of foreigners. 

 But it preferred only asserting its essential rights, without taking 

 any advantage of localities. 



To this Mr. Adams replied (30th March, 1822). He said : , ^otb cong., 2n(i 



^ ^ ' ' Sess., Senate Kx. 



This pretension is to be considered not only with reference to the^""- ^°- ^''"' P- 

 question of territorial right, but also to that prohibition to the vessels ggg Appendix 

 of other nations, including those of the United States, to approach vol. ii, Part 11,' 

 within 100 Italian miles of the coasts. From the period of the exist- No. 2.' 

 ence of the United States as an independent nation, their vessels have 

 freely navigated those seas, and the right to navigate them is a part 

 of that independence. 



With regard to the suggestion that the Russian Government might 

 have justified the exercise of sovereignty over the Pacific Ocean as a 

 close sea, because it claims territory both on its American and Asiatic 

 shores, it may suffice to say that the distance from shore to shore on 

 this sea, in latitude 51^ north, is not less than 90"^ of longitude, or 

 4,000 miles. 



The Russian Representative replied to this note on the ^ ^'^■j^® ^"J^^'q' 

 2nd April following, and in the course of his letter he said: Adams! Api n 2,' 



1822. 

 In the same manner the gi'eat extent of the Pacific Ocean at the Slst 50th Cong., 2nd 

 degree of latitude can not invalidate the right which Russia may have Sess., Senate Kx. 

 of considering that part of the ocean as close. lint as the Iniperial ^og*'" ' ^' 



Government has not thought iit to take advantage of that right, all ~ 

 further discussion on this subject would be idle. 



