2G4 DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE. 



Avafltlie exact point of latitude, but subsequent adjustments fixed it at 

 60° The phrase " jS'orthwest Coast," or " Nortliwest Coast of America," 

 has been well known and widely recognized in popular usage in England 

 and America from the date of the first trading to that coast, about 1784.' 

 So absolute has been this prescription that the distinguished historian 

 Hubert Ilowe Bancroft has written an accurate history of the iSTcn-thwest 

 Coast, which, at different times, during a period of seventy-five years, 

 was the scene of important contests between at least four great powers. 

 To render the understanding explicit, Mr. liancrott has illustrated the 

 Northwest Coast by a carefully prepared maji. The map will be found to 

 include precisely the area which has been steadily maintaiii<»d by this 

 Government in the pending discussion. (For map, see opposite page.)^ 



The phrase "Northwest Coast of America" has not infrequently been 

 used simply as the synonym of the "Northwest Coast," but it has also 

 been used in another sense as including the American coast of the llus- 

 sian possessions as far northward as the straits of Behring. Confusion 

 lias sometimes arisen in the use of the i)hrase "Northwest Coast of 

 America," but the true meaning can always be determined by reference 

 to the context. 



The treaty between the United States and Russia was concluded on 

 thelTthof April, 1824, and that between Great Britain and Russia was 

 concluded February 28, 1825. The full and accurate text of both treaties 

 will be found in inclosure A. The treaty between the United States and 

 Ikussia is first in the order of time, but I shall consider both treaties 

 together. I quote the first article of each treaty, for, to all intents and 

 l)urposes, they are identical in meaning, though differing somewhat in 

 phrase. 



The first article in the American treaty is as follows: 



Article I. It is agreed that, in any part of the great ocean,, commonly called the 

 Pacific Ocean or Sonth Sea, the respective citizens or snbjects of the hisi,]] contract- 

 ing powers shall be neither distnrbed nor restrained, either in navigation or in 

 fishing, or in the power of resorting to the coasts, njion points which may not already 

 liave Ijeen occupied, for the purpose of trading with the natives, saving always the 

 restrictions and conditions determined by the following articles. 



The first article in the British treaty is as follows: 



Akticlk I. It is agreed that the respective snbjects of the high contracting parties 

 Bhall not be troubled or molested, in any part of the ocean, commonly called tlu^ 

 Pacific Ocean, either in navigating the same, in lishing therein, or in landing at sm-h 

 parts of the coast as shall not have been already occupied, in order to trade with 

 the natives, under the restrictions and conditions specified in the following articles. 



Lord Salisbury contends that — 



Tlie Rusfiiav Government had no idea of avy disth,e1ion heiween Beltrinq Sea and llie 

 Pacific Ocean, tclrich latter they considered as reachiiu/ southward from Behriinj Straits. 

 Nor throughout the whole of the subsequent corres]»ondence is there any reference 

 whatever on either side to any distinctive name for Behring's Sea, or any intimation 

 that it could be considered otherwise than as forming an integral part of the Pacific 

 Ocean. 



The Government of the United States cordially agrees with Lord 

 Salisbury's statement that throughout the whole corres]>ondence con- 

 nected with the formation of the treaties there was no refeirncc what- 

 ever by either side to any distinctive name for l>ehring Sea, and fin- the 

 very simple reason which I have already indicated, tliat the negotiation 

 liad no reference whatever to the Behring Sea, but was entirely confined 



'The same designation obtained in Europe. As early as 1803, in a map published 

 by the Geographic Institute at Weimar, tlie coast from Columbia River (49^^) to Cape 

 Elizabeth ((50°) is designated as the " Nord West Kuste." 



2 For map sec House Ex. Doc. No. 141, Fifty-first Congress, second session, p. 23. 



