ORAL ARGUMENT OF SIR RICHARD WEBSTER, Q. C. M. P. 267 



here in Court in his proper person, in the name and on hehalf of tlie said UnTted 

 States, against the schooner "Thornton" her tackle, apparel, boats, cargo, and fnrni- 

 ture, and against all persons intervening- for their interest therein, in a cause of 

 forfeiture, iillcgcs and informs as follows: 



That Charles A. Abbey, an otH<'cr in the Revenue Marine Service of the United 

 States, and on special duty in the waters of tlie district of Alaska, heretofore, to wit, 

 on the 1st day of August, 1886, within the limit>5 of Alaska territory, and in the 

 waters thereof, and within the civil and judicial district of Alaska, to wit, within 

 the waters of that portion of Beliring Sea belonging to the said district, on waters 

 navigable from tlie sea by vessels of 1() or more tons burden, seizeil the ship or vessel, 

 commonly called a schooner, the "Thornton," her tackle, apparel, boats, cargo, and 

 furniture, being tlie property of some ])erson or persons to the said Attorney unknown, 

 as forfeited to the United States, for the following causes: 



That the said vessel or schooner was found engaged in killing fur-seal within the 

 limits of Alaska Territory, and in the waters thereof, in violation of section l!i56 of 

 the Revised Statutes of the United States. 



And the said Attorney saith tliat all and singular premises are and were true, and 

 within the Admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of this court, and that by reason 

 thereof, and by force of the Statutes of the United states in such cases made and 

 provided, the afore uieutioiied and described sclinoner or vessel, being a vessel of 

 over 20 tons burden, her tackle, apparel, boats, cargo and furniture became and were 

 forfeited to the use of the said United States, and that said schooner is now Avithin 

 the district aforesaid. 



Wherefor the said Attorney prays that the usual process and monition of this 

 honourable court issue in this behalf, and that all persons interested in the before 

 mentioned and described schooner or vessel may be cited in general and special to 

 answer the premises, and all due proceedings being had, that the said schooner or 

 vessel, lier tackle, apparel, boats, cargo ami furniture may, for the cause aforesaid, 

 and others appearing, be condemned by the detinite sentence and decree of this 

 hououral)le Court, as forfeited to the nse of the said United States in such cases 

 made and provided. 



M. B. Ball, 

 United States District Attornei/ for the District of Alaslca. 



ANNIiX "C". 



The following Table shows the names of the British sealing- vessels seized or 

 warned by United States revenue cruizeis 1886-90, and the approximate distance 

 from land when seized. The distances assigned in the cases of the "Carolena", 

 "Thornton", and "Onward" are on the authority of U. S. Naval Commander Abbey 

 (see 50th Cong., 2nd Sess., Senate Ex. Doc. No. 106 pp. 20,40,50). The distances 

 assigned in the cases of the "Anna Beck", " W. P. Sayward", " Dolphin", and 

 "Grace" are on the authority of Captain Sliepard. U. S.k.N.(Blue Book, United 

 States No. 3 (16!)0). pp.80-82. See Appendix, vol. Ill, Neah Bay is in the State of 

 Washington, and the "Pathfinder" was seized there on chargesinade against her in 

 Behriug Sea in the previous year. She was released two days later. 



