ORAL ARGUMENT OF CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, Q. C. 297 



Their couceptioTi, however, of the ihities imposed upon them was widely difTerent. 

 They regarded themselves as called upon simply to ascertain the truth, whatever it 

 migiit he, concerning seal life in Behring Sea, and the measures necessary for its 

 proper protection and preservation. This seemed to them essentially a scieutitic 

 inquiry, and not to emhrace any consideration of national rights, or of the freedom 

 of seas, — a class of questions which they would prohaldy have deemed themselves 

 ill qualified to solve. They are not, indeed, to he presumed to be less interested in 

 behalf of their own nation than tlieir associates on the side of (Jreat Britain ; but 

 as they did not conceive themselves charged with the duty of protecting a supposed 

 national interest, they could remember that Science has no native country, and that 

 they could not defend themselves, either in their own eyes or before their fellows 

 of the scientific world, if they had allowed the temptations of patriotism to swerve 

 them from the interests of truth. 



In otlier words, that is a cliarge, almost as plain as if made directly, 

 that while that Avas tlie character of their Coniinissioiiers, the British 

 Commissioners cannot de!eiKl themselves in their own eyes, or in the 

 eyes of the scieutitic world, because they have allowed the temptations 

 of patriotism to swerve them from the interests of truth. 



Now, it is worth while to see what our Connnissioncrs were charged 

 to do, and what they did do. One thing is plain: these charges are 

 either well-founded or ill-founded. If there is a shadow of foundation 

 for them, these Commissioners ought not to have been appointed; they 

 were unfit for their duty; they misunderstood their duty, and ought 

 not to be employed again, because their patriotism, or temperament, or 

 bias, unfits them for any such functions. 



aSlow you will find on looking into the Commissioners' Eeport, — and I 

 do not know that I need trouble the Tribunal with reading any of it 

 because I do not understand it to be charged against them that they 

 have reported upon any subject that they were not instructed to report 

 upon : in other words, I do not understand — at all events, I understood 

 Mr. Carter to say, that that was not what he did charge when we 

 thought that he made such an accusation — that they have repjrted 

 upon what they were not instructed to report u))on, or have expressed 

 opinions connected with seal-life which they were not authorized to 

 express, — you will find, at page V of the first part, of their Keport, 

 they are directed to enquire 



What international arrangements, if any, are necessary between Great Britain and 

 the United States, and Kussia, or any otlier Power, for the purpose of preserving the 

 fur-seal race in Behring Sea from extermination? 



Her Majesty's Government have jirojiosed to the United States that the investiga- 

 tion should be conducted by a Commission to consist of four experts, of whom two 

 shall be nominated by each Government, and a Chairman, who shall be nominated by 

 Arbitrators. 



If the Government of the United States agree to this proposal, you will be the 

 Delegates who will represent Great Britain in the Commission. 



But, in the meanwhile, it is desirable that yon should at once commence your 

 examination of the question, and that for that purpose you should ))roceed as soon 

 as you conveniently can to Vancouver, from whence the Lords Commissioners of the 

 Admiralty have been requested to provide for your conveyance to the various seal- 

 ing grounds and other places which it may be expedient for you to visit. 



Application has been made to the United States Government for permission for 

 you to visit the seal islands under their jurisdiction, and a similar request will be 

 addressed to the Russian Government in the event of your finding it necessary to 

 visit the Commander Islands and other Russian sealing grounds. 



Your attention should be particularly devoted to ascertaining — 



1. The actual facts as regards the alleged serious diminution of seal life on the 

 Pribilof Islands, the date at which such diminution began, the rate of its progress, 

 and jiny previous instance of a sinular occurrence. 



2. The causes of such diminution; whether, and to what extent, it is attributable 

 (a.) To a migration of the seals to other rookeries. 



(&.) To the method of killing pursued on the isl;nids themselves, 

 (c.) To the increase of sealing- upon the high seas, and the manner in which it is 

 pursued. 



