This bringf? ns to an exaiiiination of tlio Ukase of 1S21, tlie ])rovdsioiis 

 of wliich, as well as the iiegotiatious that arose fiom its promulgation, 

 were the subject of extended comment by counsel. 



Between 179!) and 1831 the waters of Bering- Sea were visited by- 

 vessels fiom various countries in charge of i^ersons engaged in the 

 hunting of whales, and who also carried ou illicit and forbidden trade 

 of diflterent kinds with tlie native inhabitants of Russian territories, 

 in violation of the established policy of the Russian Government. For 

 the purpose of breaking up that trade and enforcing the policy of his 

 Government, the Emperor of Russia issued the following Edict, called 

 the Ukase of 1821: 



"Observing from reports submitted to us that the trade of our sub- 

 jects on the Aleutian Islands and on the northwest coast of America, 

 appertainingunto Russia, is subjected,because of secret and illicit traffic, 

 to oppression and impediments; and finding that the principal cause 

 of these difficulties is the want of rules establishing the boundary for 

 navigation along these coasts, and the order of naval communication 

 as well in these places as on the whole of the eastern coast of Siberia 

 and the Kurile Islands, we have deemed it necessary to determine these 

 communications by specific regulations which are hereto attached. 



In forwarding these regulations to the directing senate, we command 

 that the same be published for universal information, and that the 

 proper measures be taken to carry them into execution." 



Those regulations are entitled ^^ Rules estahlMicd for the limits of 

 navigation and order of communication along the coast of eastern Sibe- 

 ria, the northwest coast of America^ and the Aleutian, Kurile, and other 

 islands^ As given in the Cases of both Governments, they contain 

 among other provisions, the following: 



"Sec.1. The pursuits of commerce, whaling, and fishery, and of all 

 other industries, on all islands, ports, and gulfs, including the whole of 

 the northwest coast of America, beginning from the Bering Straits, to 

 the fifty first degree of northern latitude, also from the Aleutian Islands 

 to the eastern coast of Siberia, as well as along the Kurile Islands, from 

 Bering Straits to the South Gape of the Islands of Urup, viz: to the 

 45'^ 50' northern latitude, is exclusively granted to Russian subjects. 



" Sec. 2. It is therefore prohibited to all foreign vessels, not only to 

 land on the coasts and islands belonging to Russia, as stated above, 

 but also to approach them within less than 100 Italian miles. The trans- 

 gressor's vessel is subject to confiscation, along with the whole cargo. 



