CONTENTS. V 



The ukase of 1821 — Contijincd. rage. 



Ukase declaratory of existing rights 41 



Under ukase of 1799 foreign vessels not permitted to linnt or trade in Uer- 



ing Sea 42 



Eequest of Minister of Finance in 1820 and 1821 tliat cruisers be dis- 

 patched to protect Company's large interests in Bering Sea 43 



Killing of fur-seals at sea to be prevented 44 



The Pigott aifair. Certain contracts with foreigners annulled. Control 



exercised over Bering Sea prior to 1821 45 



Foreigners prohibited from visiting waters frequented by sea-otters and 



fur-seal 47 



The Pigott affair, continued 48 



Summary. Protests directed to claim of jurisdiction over Pacific Ocean, 



and to claim to coast of continent 49 



The treaties of 1824 and 1825: 



Settled the twofold dispute 51 



Bering Sea not included in terms used to denote Pacific Ocean 52 



Express declarations of Russian Government on this subject 53 



Declaration made immediately before treaty with Great Britain 54 



Treaties recognized by implication rights claimed by Russia over Bering 



Sea 56 



Burden upon Great Britain to show that these rights have been lost 57 



By treaties Russia relinquished large portion of coast claimed 58 



Russia's object in excluding Bering Sea from effect of treaties was protec- 

 tion of fur industry 59 



Period betweex the treaties and the cession of Alaska to tiik 

 United States in 1867: 



Russia continues to exercise control over Bering Sea 61 



Third charter of company 61 



High value placed by company upon far-seal industry 62 



AVaters frequented by fur-seals patrolled by armed cruisers 63 



Further instructions as to cruising 67 



Proclamation of 1864 as to trade in Russian territory and waters 67 



Whaling company prohibited from visiting waters frequented by fur-seals 68 



Period from 1862 to 1867 68 



Conclusions from foregoing review 69 



Cession of Alaska to the United States by the Treaty of 1887: 



Russia ceded to the United States a portion of Bering Sea. No objection 



made 70 



Boundaries of territory ceded 70 



Cession unencumbered 72 



Russia's rights over seal fisheries passed to United States 72 



Review of jurisdiction exercised by Russia and her motives therefor 72 



Value of furs taken prior to cession 73 



Their value well known to American negotiators, and the chief induce- 

 ment for purchase of Alaska 74 



