REPORT OF AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS. 313 



And further, tliat wliile it was desirable that Continct of in- 



vestigiitiou. 



our investigation should, even before the conclu- 

 sion of a formal agreement as to the duties and 

 functions of a Joint Commission, be made con- 

 currently with those of the British agents, yet 

 until the agreement for the Commission shall have 

 been concluded we were not authorized to discuss 

 with them the subject of a joint report or to make 

 any interchange of views on the subject of perma- 

 nent regulations for the preservation of the seal. 



In accordance with tliese instructions, we at ri'oceed to Ber- 

 ing Sea. 



once proceeded to Bering Sea on the Fish 

 Commission steamer Alhatross, Lieutenant-Com- 

 mander Tanner, which had been placed at our 

 disposal for the purpose. 



We met the British Commissioners first at . Joint iuvestiga- 



tious, 



Unalaska, and afterwards at the Pribilof Islands. 

 Several of the principal rookeries were visited in 

 their company and our observations were made 

 und^r similar circumstances and conditions. 



In addition to noting- such facts as were clearly ^ Sources of in- 



^ "^ lormatiou. 



established by the physical aspect of the rook- 

 eries themselves we sought information and 

 obtained much of value from those who have 

 resided long upon the islands, including both 

 Aleuts and whites, all engaged exclusively in 

 the sealing industry. At San Francisco and at 



Unalaska on onr v/ay to the Pribilof Islands, 

 2716 40 



