42 THE UKASE OF 1821. 



In a letter dated February 28, 1822, from the 



board to the chief manager of the Colonies, we 



find the following' statement: "As to fur-seals, 



however, since our Gracious Sovereign has been 



pleased to strengthen our claims of jurisdiction 



and exclusive rights in these waters with his 



strong hand, we can well afford to reduce the 



number of seals killed annually, and to patiently 



await the natural increase resulting therefrom, 



which will yield us an abundant harvest in the 



future."^ 

 Under ukase of The official Russiaii records show that after 



1799 I'ort'igu ves- 

 sels not peiniitted the ukase or charter of 1799, granting to the 



to Inuit or trade in 



Bering Sea. Russiaii American Company certain exclusive 



control of trade and colonization, its authorities, 

 acting under the sanction of the Russian Govern- 

 ment, did not permit foreign vessels to visit 

 Bering Sea. The trading and hunting rights of 

 the Company were jealously guarded there prior 

 and up to 1821, as will appear from the docu- 

 ments about to be cited; and whatever creation 

 or extension of exclusive Russian jurisdiction was 

 intended to be effected by the promulgation of 

 the ukase of that year applied to the Pacific 

 Ocean proper, and to the coasts and islands east 

 and south of the peninsula of Alaska. The only 

 effect which could have been intended by that 



" ' Vol. I, p. 61. 



