404 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



ences arising out of the claims asserted by tbe Emperor of Russia to an 

 exclusive dominion over the north-west coast of America, and the neigh- 

 bouring seas as far as the 51st degree of north latitude. The jjroposal, 

 I conceive, to be similar to that which was made by Count Kesselrode 

 to His Majesty's Plenipotentiary at Verona relative to the same object, 

 as it affects Great Britain. The American Secretary of State, in appriz- 

 ing me of the communication received from Baron Tuyll, expressed a 

 desire that I would mention it to His Majesty's Government, and stating 

 that Mr. Middleton would in all probability be furnished with the neces- 

 sary powers and instructions, suggested whether it might not be advan- 

 tageous for the British and American Governments, protesting as they 

 did against the claims of Russia, to empower their Ministers at St. 

 Petersburgh to act in the proposed negociation on a common under- 

 standing. He added that the United States had no territorial claims 

 of their own as high as the 51st degree of latitude, although they dis- 

 puted the extent of those advanced by Russia, and opposed the right 

 of that Power to exclude their citizens from trading with the native 

 inhabitants of those regions over which the sovereignty of Russia had 

 beeu for the first time asserted by the late Edict of the Emperor, and 

 most particularly the extravagant pretension to prohibit the approach 

 of foreign vessels within 100 Italian miles of the coast. 



At the same time that he submitted this overture for the considera- 

 tion of His Majesty's Government, Mr. Adams informed me that he had 

 received an account similar to that which lately appeared in tlie news- 

 papers, and which has already been forwarded to your Office, of an 

 American trading- vessel having been ordered away from the north-west 

 coast by the Commander of a Russian frigate stationed in that quarter. 

 He did not appear, however, to apprehend that any unpleasant conse- 

 quences were likely to result from that occurrence, as it was understood 

 that provisional instructions of a less exceptionable tenour had been dis- 

 patched from St. Petersburgh in compliance with the representations 

 of foreign Powers. 



In bringing under your notice this overture of the American Govern- 

 ment, respecting which I cannot presume to anticipate the sentiments 

 of His Majesty's Cabinet, I have only to add that on asking Mr. Adams 

 whether it was his intention to enter more largely upon the subject at 

 present, I was informed, in reply, that it would be desirable for him 

 previously to know in what light the British Government was disposed 

 to view the suggestion which he had offered. He appeared to be under 

 fin impression tlmt the instructions and powers requisite for acting 

 separately in this affair had already been transmitted to Sir Charles 

 Bagot. 



I have, &c. (Signed) Stratford Canning. 



No. 27. 



Memorandum to be delivered to Mr. Lyall, Chairman of the Shijo-oimiers' 



Society. 



No doubt is entertained but that British vessels may pursue their 

 usual navigation within the seas mentioned in Mr. Lyall's letter with- 

 out apprehension of molestation from Russia. 



The warning off of the American vessel took place before notice of 

 the modifications of the Ukase, assurances of which were given to the 



