38 ORAL ARGUMENT OF JAMES C. CARTER, ESQ, 



of business, witlinnt the expression of some desire or intention of 

 reopening tbe negotiations for the adjustment of tlie matter, and there- 

 fore the letter also contained this: "The Marquis of Salisbury desires 

 me to say that Sir Julian Pauncefote, Her Majesty's Minister, will be 

 prepared on his return to Washington in the autumn, to discuss the 

 whole question, and Her Mnjesty's Government wish to point out to the 

 United States Government that the settlement cannot but be hindered 

 by any measures of force which may be resorted to by the United 

 States". 



The business was new to Mr. Blaine, and the whole subject was 

 doubtless new to him. He answered Mr. Edwardes. His answer is 

 short: 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Ednardes. 



Bar Harbor, August 24,1889. 



Sir: I have tbe honor to aclviiowledge the receipt of your coiniimuieation of this 

 (late, conveying' to me the intelligence "that repeated rumors have of late reached 

 Her Majesty's Government that United States cruisers have stopped, searched, and 

 even seized British vessels in Behrinj^ Sea outside the 3-mile limit from the nearest 

 land." And you add that, ''although no official confirmation of these rumors has 

 reached Her Majesty's Government, there appears to be no reason to doubt their 

 authenticity." 



lu reply I have the honor to state that the same rumors, probably based on truth, 

 have reached the Government of the United States, but that up to this date there 

 has been no official communication received on the subject. 



It has been and is the earnest desire of the President of the United States to have 

 such an adjustment as shall remove all possible ground of misunderstanding with 

 Her Majesty's Government concerning the existing troubles in the Behring Sea; and 

 the President believes that the responsibility for delay in the adjustment can not 

 be properly charged to the Government of the United States. 



I beg you will express to the Marquis of Salisbury the gratification with which 

 the Government of the United States learns that Sir .Julian Pauncefote, Her Majes- 

 ty's Minister, will be prepared, on his return to Washington in the autumn, to discuss 

 the whole question. It gives me pleasure to assure you that the Government of the 

 United States will endeavor to be prepared for the discussion, and that, in the 

 opinion of the President, the points at issue between the two Governments are 

 capable of prompt adjustment on a basis entirely honorable to both. 

 I have, etc., 



James G. Blaine. 



But Mr. Edwardes pressed for a more categorical answer to his note. 

 On the 12th of September he writes : 



Mr. Edwardes to Mr. Blaine. 



Washington, Sejytemher 12, 1889. 

 My Dear Mr. Blaine: I should be very much obliged if yon would kindly let 

 me luiow when I may expect an answer to the re(|ucst of Her Majesty's Government, 

 Avhich I had the honor of communicating to you in my note of the 24th of August, 

 that instructions may be sent to Alaska to prevent the possibility of the seizure of 

 British ships in Behring Sea. Her Majesty's Government are earnestly awaiting the 

 reply of the United States Government on this subject, as the recent reports of 

 seizures having taken i^lace are causing much excitement both iu England and in 

 Canada. 



I remain, etc., H. G. Edwardes. 



Mr. Blaine answers that: 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Edwardes. 



Bar Harbor, Septemher 14, 1889. 

 Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your personal note of the 12th 

 instant, written at Washington, in wiiich yon desire to know when you may expect 

 an answer to the request of Her Majesty's' Government, "that instructions may be 

 sent to Alaska to prevent the possibility of the seizure of British ships in Behring 

 Sea." 



