396 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



It is well known to the Russian Fur Company that nearly all the sea-otter skins, 

 and most of the other valuable furs, are procured north of the Slst degree, and if 

 "foreign adventurers" can be prevented from approaching that part of the coast, the 

 Company would soon be left in undisturbed possession of the whole trade, for south 

 of 51° it is not of sufficient value to attract a single vessel in a season. This would 

 not only secure to them a monopoly in the purchase, but give them the control of the 

 Chinese market for the most valuable furs, which would be still more important. 

 But we suspect a deeper design than the monopoly of a few otter-skins, for which the 

 interests of the Fur Company are made a convenient cover. We have the authority 

 of Humboldt for stating that, in 1802, the Russian Government limited their terri- 

 torial claims to the north of 55°. They are now extended to 51°, and M. de Poletica 

 informs us that this is only " a moderate use of an incontestable right." If the eight 

 Establishments existed in 1789 where the Russian Minister places them, no one would 

 deny their right of possession at that time as far as 48°. The nearest European Set- 

 tlement was then the Spanish one of St. Francisco, in 38°. The point, equidistant 

 from these two, is the 43rd degree, which, according to the principle asserted by M. 

 de Poletica, would have been the Russian boundary in 1789. The Russians have 

 already made a considerable Settlement on Spanish territory at Fort Bodega in lati- 

 tude 40°, and it is possible that, guided by the same spirit of philanthropy whicli 

 prompted the dismemberment of Poland, the august Emperor may choose to occupy 

 the fertile, but defenceless, Province of California, and annex it to his already exten- 

 sive dominions. Notwithstanding the friendly relations that exist between the 

 United States and Russia, we should deem it a serious evil to have, on our western 

 frontiers, a formidable population, subjects of an ambitious and despotic Gov- 

 ernment. 



Those engaged in the trade to the north-west coast have always considered it a 

 lawful commerce, and, having been confirmed in that opinion by the official declara- 

 tion of the Executive of the United States that " from the period of the existence 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,^' and that 

 " the right of the citizens of the United States to hold commerce with the aboriginal 

 natives of the north-west coast of America without the territorial jurisdiction of 

 other nations, even in arms and ammunitions of war, is as clear and indisputable as 

 that of navigating the seas," they are not disposed to surrender these rights 

 31 without a struggle. The American vessels employed on the north-west coast 

 are well armed and amply furnished with the munitions of war. Separated 

 from the civilized world, and cut off, for a long time, from all communication with it, 

 they have been accustomed to rely on their own resources for protection and defence, 

 and to consider and treat as enemies all who attempt to interrupt them in the prose- 

 cution of their lawful pursuits. To induce them to relinquish this commerce " per- 

 suasion" will be miavailiug, " threats" will be disregarded, and any attempts at 

 coercion will be promptly resisted, unless made by a force so superior as to render 

 resistance hopeless, in which event they will look with confidence to their Govern- 

 ment for redress and support. 



The trade carried on by citizens of the United States with the Russian Settlements 

 on the north-west coast has the sanction of their own Government, and till now has 

 never been prohibited by that of Russia. It is done openly and with the consent of 

 the "established authorities" at the several places, who are themselves, in most 

 instances, parties to all commercial transactions. But for the supplies which this 

 trade has furnished some of the Russian Settlements must have been abandoned, 

 and, from Langsdorff's account of the situation of "New Archangel," it appears that 

 in 1805 the people would have perished from famine had they not been relieved by 

 American traders. At this moment American vessels are engaged, by contract with 

 the servants of the Russian Fur Company, in supplying their Settlements with the 

 uecessariea and comforts of life. 



No. 18. 



Count Lieven to Mr. G. Canning. 



LoNDRES, le 19 (31) Janvier, 18S3. 



A la suite deR declarations verbales que le Soussigne, Ambassadcur 



Extraordinaire et Pl('iiii)otentiairede Sa Majeste I'Einpereur de Toutes 



les Eussies, a feitesau Miuisterede Sa Majest<'; Britaunique, le Cabinet 



de St. James a du se couvaiucre que si des objections s'^toieut ^lev^ea 



