ORAL ARGUMENT OP JAIVIES C. CARTER, ESQ. 25 



Enf^lnnrl, howovor, li.as an espcpinlly svcat interest in this matter, in addition to 

 tliiit wiiieh she nmst feel in provcnting tlie externiiniition of an animal ^vbi^•h con- 

 tributes so mueli to the gain and comfort of her peo]ile. Nearly all undressed fur- 

 seal sl<ins are sent to London, where they are dressed and dyed for the market, and 

 ■where numy of them are sold. It is stated that at least 10,000 people in that city 

 find profitable employment in tliis work; fnr more than the total number of people 

 engaged in liuuting the fur-seal in every part of the world. At the J^ribilof Islands 

 it is believed that there are not more than 400 persons so engaged; at Commander 

 Islands, not more than 300; in the Northwest coast fishery, not more than 525 Indian 

 hunters and 100 whites; and in the Capo Horn fishery, not more than 400 persons, of 

 whom perhaps 300 are Chileans. Great Britain, therefore, in cooperating with the 

 United States to prevent the destruction of fur seals in Behriug Sea would also be 

 per])etnating an extensive and valuable industry in which her own citizens have the 

 most lucrative share. 



I inclose for your information copy of a memorandum on the fur-seal fisheries of 

 the Avorld, prepared by Mr, A. Howard Clark, in response to a request made by this 

 Department to the U. S. Fisli Commissioner. I inclose also, for your further infor- 

 mation, copy of a letter to mo, dated December 3d last, from Mr. Henry W. Elliott, 

 who has spent nunh time in Alaska, eugaged'in the study of seal life, upon which 

 he is well known as an authority. I desire to call your especial attention to what 

 is said by Mr. P^lliott in respect to the new method of catching the seals with nets. 



As the subject of this dispatch is one of great importance and of immediate 

 urgency, I will ask that you give it as early attention as possible. 

 I am, etc., 



T. F. B.VYARD. 



That was Mr. Bayard's niiniber 782. Mr. Phelps acknowledges this 

 letter on the 18th of February 1888, thus: 



Mr. riidps to Mr. Bayard. 



No. 090.] Legation of thk UxiTKn States, 



London, Fehniarn IS, ISSS. (Received February 28.) 



Sir: I received yesterday your instruction No. 782, under date of February 7, rela- 

 tive to the Alaslcau seal lisheries. I immediately addressed a note to Lord Salisbury, 

 inclosing for his perusal one of the printed copies of the instruction, and requesting 

 an a])pointment f(n- an early interview on the subject. 



I also sent a note to the Russian ambassador, and an interview with him is arranged 

 for the 21st instant. 



The whole matter will receive my immediate and thorough attention and I hope 

 for a favorable result. Meanwhile I would ask your con.sideration of the manner in 

 which you would propose to carry out the regulations of the fisheries that may be 

 agreed upon l.)y the countries interested. Would not legislation be necessary; and, 

 if so, is there any hope of obtaining it on the part of Congiess? 

 I have, etc., 



E. J. PiiELrs. 



Subsequently, on the 25th of February, lie again addresses Mr. Bay- 

 ard, and this is his note: 



Mr. Phelps to Mr. Bayard. 



[Extract.] 



No. 692.] Legation of the United States, 



London, February 25, ISSS. (Received March 6.) 



Sir: Referring to your instructions, numbered 782, of February 7, 1888, in refer- 

 ence to the Alaska seal fisheries, and to my reply thereto, numbered 690, of Febru- 

 ary 18, I have the honor to inform you that I have since had interviews on the 

 subje(;t with Lord Salisbury and with M. de Staal, the Russian ambassador. 



Lord Salisbury assents to your proposition to establish, by mutual arrangement 

 between the governments interested, a close time for fur seals, between April 15 and 

 November 1, and between 160'^ of longitude west and 170° of longitude east, in the 

 Behriug Sea. 



He will also join the United States Government in any preventive measures it may 

 he thought best to adopt, by orders issued to the naval vessels in that region of the 

 respective governments. 



I have this morning telegra])hed you for additional printed copies of instructions 

 782 for the use of Her Majesty's Government. 



