622 ORAL ARGUMENT OF CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, Q. C. 



resulting in condemnation, such proceedings were begun by the filing of libels, a 

 copy of one of which is annexed hereto, marked " B " and that the libels in the other 

 proceedings were in all substantial respects the same; that the alleged acts or 

 offences for which said several searches and seizures were made were in each case 

 done or committed upon the seas more than ten miles from any shore; and that in 

 each case in which sentence of condemnation was had, except in those cases when 

 the vessel was released after condemnation, the capture was adopted by the Gov- 

 ernment of the United Statics. Tljat the said fines and imprisonments were for 

 alleged breaches of the municipal laws of the United States, which alleged breaches 

 were wholly committed upon the seas more than ten miles from any shore. 



4. That the several orders mentioned in said Schedule warning vessels to leave 

 Behring Sea were made by public armed vessels of the United States, the command- 

 ers of which had, at the several times when they were given, like instructions as 

 mentioned in finding 3, above proposed, and that the vessels so warned were engaged 

 in sealing or prosecuting voyages for that purpose. 



5. That the said several searches, seizures, condemnations, confiscations, fines, 

 imprisonments and orders were not made, imposed or given under any claim or 

 assertion of right or jurisdiction except such as is submitted to the decision of 

 the Arbitrators in Article VI of the Treaty of Arbitration. 



6. That the District Courts of the United States in which any proceedings were 

 had or taken for the purpose of condemning any vessel as mentioned in the Schedule 

 to the Case of Great Britain, pages 1 to 60, inclusive, had all the jurisdiction and 

 powers of Courts of Admiralty, including the prize jurisdiction. 



ANNEX "A." 



[See British Counter Caae, Appendix, VoL I, p. 72.] 



Treasury Department, Office of the Secretart, 



Washington, April 21, 1886. 

 Sir: Referring to Department letter of this date, directing you to proceed with the 

 revenue- steamer "Bear," under your command, to the Seal Islands, etc., you are 

 hereby clothed with full power to enforce the law contained in the provision of Sec- 

 tion 1956 of the United States Revised Statutes, and directed to seize all vessels and 

 arrest and deliver to the proper authorities any or all persons whom you may detect 

 violating the law referred to, after due notice shall have been given. 



You will also seize any liquors or fire-arms attempted to be introduced into the 

 country without proper permit, and the provisions of Section 19J55 of the Revised 

 Statutes, and the Proclamation of the President dated 4th February, 1870. 

 Respectfully yours, 



C. S. Fairchild, Acting Secretary, 

 Captain M. A. Healy, 



Commanding Revenue-steamer *' Bear," San Francisco, California. 



ANNEX "B." 



[See British Case, Appendix, Vol. m, XJ. S. N». 2, 1890, p. 65.] 



In tlie District Court of the United States, for the District of Alaska. — August 



Special Term, 1886. 



To the Honourable Lafa.yette Dawson, 



Judge of said District Court : 



The libel of information of M. D. Ball, Attorney for the United States for the Dis- 

 trict of Alaska, who prosecutes on behalf of said United States, and being present 

 here in court in his proper person, in the name and on behalf of the said United 

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

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

 forfeiture, alleges and informs assollows; 



That Charles A. Abbey, an officer in the Revenue Marine Service of the United 

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

 on the 2st day of August, 1886, within the limits 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 Behring Sea belni";ing to the said district, on waters 

 navigable from the sea by vessels of 10 or more tons burden, seized the ship or ves- 

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

 furniture, being the property of some person or persons to the said Attorney 

 unknown, as forfeited to the United States, for the followieg causes : 



