COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 47 



By section 8 of Annex (B) to tliat Treaty, "Instructions 

 to Oruizers," this exemption is extended to vessels of the 

 Eussian- American Company, and such vessels are to have ibia.,p.956. 

 a Russian Patent, "wliich shall i)rove their origin and des- 

 tination." The form of Patent, which is set out in Hertslet's 

 Commercial Treaties, recites this section, and proceeds: 



Upou this ground the Administration of the Russian-American 

 Company, being aboul; to dispatch their ship named 



, built iu the year , ol' tonnage, and com- 



manded by , to ihe North- Wef-:tern coast of America 



52 to the colonies settled there, with the right to enter all ports 

 and harbours, which necessity may renuire, considers it con- 

 formable to the above cited Article of the Instruction, that besides 

 the patent authorizing the hoisting of the Russian dag by merchant- 

 ships in general, the said vessel of the Company should be ])rovided 

 with this special patent to secure her against the visit of the cruizers 

 of the Contracting Powers. 



IN THIS TREATY, "NORTH-WESTERN COAST'' INCLUDES 

 COAST OP BEHRING SEA. 



This is a document prepared by the Russian Government 

 whicli, under the term "North-western coast," plainl^Mu- 

 cludes the eastern coast of Behring Sea; for if not, it must 

 have been intended that a vessel bound for the eastern 

 coast of that sea was not to have a Patent, and was to be 

 es})osed by its CTOvernment to the risk of search, though 

 the Treaty authorized its exemption. 



TREATY OP 1843. 



The Treaty of the 11th January, 1843, between Great HertsietsConi- 

 Britain and Russia (Article XII) says — merciai Treaties, 



^ •• vol. vi, p. 767. 



It is understood that, iu regard to commerce and navigation in the 

 Russian possessions on the norlh-west coast of America, the Convention 

 condnded at St. Petersbnrgh, on the 16th (28th) February, 1825, 

 continues in force. 



The presumption is strong that "North-west coast" in 

 1843 meant exactly what "North western coast" meant 

 when used by Russia in 1841. 



TREATY OP 1859. 



The Treaty of the 12tii January, 1859, between Great j^jj ^^j ^ 

 Britain and Russia (Article XIX) says — loes.' '^^ '''' ^' 



In regard to conur.erce and navigation in the Eussian possessions on 

 the North- West Coast of America, the Convention concluded at St. 

 Petersbnrgh on the 16th (28th) February, 1825, shall continue in force. 



By Article XXII this Treaty lasts for ten years (therefore 

 till after 18G7). 



BRITISH VESSELS NAVIOATED BEIIRING SEA WITHOUT 

 HINDRANCE THROUGHOUT THE RUSSIAN DOMINATION 

 IN ALASKA. 



It cannot be denied that subsequently to this Treaty (as 

 well as before), and down to the year 1807 (tJse date of the 

 re.-sion of Alaska to the United States), vessels carry- 

 ing the British flag were, without let or hindrance from 

 Russia, navigating, fishing, and trading in the waters of 

 Behring iSea. 



