PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL MEASURES, I887-'88. 169 



extorminatiou of an animal which coiitribiitos so importautly to the 

 conimer(;ial wealth and generiil use of mankind, you are hereby in- 

 structed to draw the attention of the Government to which you are ac- 

 credited to the subject, and to invite it to enter into such an arranj?ement 

 with the Government of the United States as will prevent the citizens 

 of either country from killing seal in Behring- Sea at such times and 

 places, and by such methods as at preseut nre pursued, and which 

 threaten the speedy extermination of those animals and consequent 

 serious loss to mankind. 



The ministers of the United States to Germany, Sweden and Nor- 

 way, Russia, Japan, and Great Britain have been each similarly ad- 

 dressed on the subject referred to in this instruction. 

 I am, etc., 



T. F. Bayard. 



Mr. McLane to Mr. Bayard. 



J^o. 490.] LEaATioN of the United States, 



Paris, October 22, 1887. (Received November 11.) 



Sir: Referring to your No. 256, of August 19, instructing Mr. Vig- 

 naud to draw the attention of the French Government to the necessity 

 of taking steps for the better protection of the fur-seal fisheries in Behr- 

 ing Sea, with a view of obtaining its cooperation with the United States 

 in measures intended to reach that end, 1 have to state that Mr. Flou- 

 rens is willing to consider favorably any project of international arrange- 

 ment you nmy be disposed to submit concerning the matter. 



I inclose herewith a translation of a note received from Mr, Flourens 

 which explains his view. The note of Sei)tember 17, to which he refers, 

 is simjily an acknowledgment. 

 I have, etc., 



Egbert M. McLane. 



[Tnclosnre with No. 490. — Translation.] 

 Mr. Flourens to Mr. McLane. 



Paris, Octoler SI, 1SS7. 



Sir: Mr. Vignaud was good euoiigh to iuforiii me on the 31st of August last that 

 the Uuited States Govevunieut was desirous of consulting with the principal nations 

 interested, with the view of making regulations in regard to the seal lisheries iu 

 Behring Strait. 



Referring to my communication of the 17th September last, I have the honor to 

 inl'orm you that, although the industry in ({uestion has not heeu engaged in by 

 French shipowners up to the i)resent time, the Government of the Republic is not 

 the less disposed to confer for that purpose with the Government of the United 

 States and to examine any draft of an international convention which may be 

 connuunicated to it by the Cabinet at Washington. 



i will be obliged to you if you will be kind enough to transmit this reply to the 

 American Government. 

 Acce^jt, etc., 

 22 Flourens. 



