300 CONCLUSION. 



Property iu and Fii'st. Tliat, ill view of the facts and circiim- 



riglit to protect. 



stances established by the evidence, it has such 

 a, property in the Alaskan seal herd as the natu- 

 ral product of its soil, made chiefly available by 

 its protection and expenditure, highly valuable 

 to its people and a considerable source of reve- 

 nue, as entitles it to preserve the herd from de- 

 struction, in the manner complained of, by an em- 

 ployment of such reasonable force as may be 

 necessary. 

 Snoi. interest as Sccoiid. That, irrespective of the distinct ridit 



jiistihcb protec- ' -•■ ° 



''^"- of property in this seal herd, the United States 



Government has for itself, and for for its peoj^le, 

 an interest, an industry, and a commerce derived 

 from the legitimate and proper use of the prod- 

 uce of the seal herd on its territory, which it is 

 entitled, upon all principles applicable to the 

 case, to protect against wanton destruction by 

 individuals for the sake of the small and casual 

 profits in that way to be gained; and that no 

 part of the high sea is, or ought to be, open to 

 individuals for the purpose of accomplishing the 

 destruction of national 'interests of such a char- 

 acter and importance. 

 AstriiRtoo.rigiit Third. That tlic United States, possessino- as 



and duty to i)ro- ■"■ 



'^•^t- they alone possess, the power of preserving and 



cherishing this valuable interest, are in a most 

 just sense the trustee thereof for the benefit of 



