PERIOD SINCE THE CESSION. 81 



it is said: "All the waters within that boundary to Action of tiic 



Executive. 



the w^esteni end of the Aleutian Archipelago and 

 chain of islands are considered within the waters 

 of Alaska Territory. All the penalties prescribed 

 by law against the* killing of fur-bearing animals 

 would, therefore, attach against any violation of 

 law within the limits before described." 



This decision was confirmed by the Treasury 

 Department April 4, 1881, and ngain on March 6, 

 1886. On this last occasion the Secretary of the 

 Treasury wrote as follows : ' ' The attention of your 

 predecessor in office was called to this subject on 

 April 4, 1881. This communication is addressed 

 to you, inasmuch as it is understood that certain 

 parties at your port contemplate the fitting out 

 of expeditions to kill fur-seals in these waters. 

 You are requested to give due publicity to such 

 letters, in order that such parties may be in- 

 formed of the construction placed by this Depart- 

 ment upon the provision of law referred to."^ 



Since the year 1867 the Treasury Department Kevenue cutters 



^ ^ ^ . ■'^^'"t ^^ IJeriiiy Sea 



has, every year, with a sini>'le exception, sentonet"i'iot«iLt fur seal 

 or more revenue cutters to Bering Sea for the 

 purpose of guarding the interests of the United 

 States centered there, ^ including the protection 



iVol. T, p 103. 



2 Letter of the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of 

 State, July 15, 1892, Vol. 1, p. 110. 

 2716 11 



