76 CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



to define the course of '■-the same western UmW^ {cette liniite 

 occidentale) from the initial point in Behring Strait to the 

 southward and westward across Beliring Sea, it is obvious 

 that it continued to possess the same character and vahie. 



DEBATES IN CONGRESS ON THE CESSION OF ALASKA, 



18(37, 18(58. 



Neitlier tlie debates in Congress — whicli preceded and 

 resulted in the cession and its ratification by the United 

 States — nor the Treaty by which it was carried into effect, 

 nor the subsequent legislation by the United States, indi- 

 cate the transfer or a(;quisition of any exclusive or extraor- 

 dinary rights in Beliring Sea. On the contrary, they show 

 that no such idea was then conceived. 



MEMORIAL OF I.EGISI.ATUKE OF TKKHITOKY OF WASHINGTON. 



In answer to a Eesolution of the House of Eepreseuta- 

 tives of the 19th December, 1867, calling for all corre- 

 spondence and information in the possession of the Execu- 

 tive in regard to the country proposed to be ceded by the 

 Treaty, the Memorial of the Legislature of Washington 

 Territory (which was made the occasion for the negotiation), 

 together with Mr. Sumner's speech in the Senate, were 

 among other documents transmitted. 



This Memorial shows that United States citizens were 

 already engaged in fishing from Cortex Banks to Beliring 

 Strait, and that they had never been under any apprehen- 

 sion of interference with such fishing by Russia, but desired 

 to secure coastfacilities, especially for the purposes of curing- 

 fish and re])airing vessels. 



The Memorial is as follows: 



I'o his ExceUencji Andrew Johnson, President of the United, States. 



United States Your memorialists, the Legislative Assembly of Washington Tei'ri- 

 Senate, Ex. Doe. tory, beg leave to show that abuudanco of codfish, iialibiit, and sal- 

 Uo. l"7, 40t h mon, of excellent (quality, have been found along the shores of the 

 in'^lS^' '^"^ ' ^^"*^^''^^' possessions. Your memorialists respectfully 'request your 



excellency "to obtain such rights and privileges of tlio Government 

 of Russia as will enable our fishing-vessels to visit the ports 

 100 and harbours of its possessions to the end that fuel, water, and 

 provisions may be easily obtniued; that our sick and disabled 

 fishermen m;iy obtain sanitary assistance, together with the privilege 

 of curing fish and re])airing vessels in need of repairs. Your memo- 

 rialists liirtlier request that the Treasury Department be instructed 

 to forward to the Collector of Customs of this I'uget Sound district 

 such fishing licences, abstract-journals, and log-books iis will enable 

 our hardy fishermen to obtain the bounties now provided and jiaid to 

 the fishermen in the Atlantic States. Your memorialists finally l>ray 

 your excellency to employ such ships as may be spared from the 

 Pacific naval thiot in exploring and surveying the lishiug banks known 

 to navigators to exist along the Pacific Coast from the Cortez bank to 

 liehring Straits. 



And, as in duty bound, your memorialists will ever pray. 

 Passed the House of Representatives, January 10, IStjli. 



Edward Eldridgk, 

 Sped her /louse of licpresentatires. 

 Passed the Coum-il, .January 13, 18()(). 



HaKVKV K. IIlNKS, 



Frcaident of the Council. 



