Modus YIVENDI of 1891 and AlfBITRATION. 331 



niidor the circumstances, ^,vould be acceptable to your Governiuent, I 

 would then address you officially in reply to your note of the 2od ultimo 

 and formally make the above p}op()Sal, statini>; the g'ronnds onAvhichit 

 is based. Hoping- that this mode of settlement of the last point in dis- 

 ]>ute will meet with your approval, and that this effort on ray ])art to 

 ])rino; the negoriation at once to a satisfactory termination may be suc- 

 cessful, 



I remain, etc., 



Julian Pauncefote. 



Sir Julian Vaunccfote to Mr, Blaine. 



British LEGATioisr, 



Ncicpori, August 26, 1891. 

 Sir: In accordance with instructions which I have received from 

 Her Majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign aifairs, I have the 

 honor to inform you that the British Behring Sea Commissioners have 

 reported, in a communication dated Seal Island, August 5, that they 

 lind that this year's catch of seals already materially exeeds 7,500, and 

 that the United States agent permits the killing of seals to continue, 

 assuming that the limitation agreed upon commences from the date of 

 the signature of the modus mrendi. 



In bringing this information to your notice I am at the same time in- 

 structed to express the conviction of Her Majesty's Government that 

 the President will not countenance any evasion of the true spirit of this 

 agreement, and that he will take whatever measures appear to him to 

 be necessary to insure its strict observance. 

 I have, etc., 



Julian Pauncefote. 



2Lr. Wliarton to Sir Julian Pauncefote. 



Department of State, 



Washington, September 2, 1891. 



Sir : I have the honor to ackn.)wledge the receipt of your note of the 

 2(>th ultimo, comi)laining that the United States agent at the seal 

 islands is violating the agreement of June 15, 1891, by permitting the 

 killing of a larger number of seals than is stipulated thereunder. 



Your statement shall receive the immediate attention of this Govern- 

 ment. 



Meanwhile, I have, etc., 



William F. Wharton, 



Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Wharton to Sir Julian Pauncefote. 



[Private and unofficial.] 



Department of State, 



Washington, September 7, 1891. 

 My Dear Sir Julian: Your private and unofficial note of August 

 20 was duly received, and I desire now to reply to it in the same private 

 and unofficial manner. The President is unable to see how the damage 



