APPENDIX TO COUNTER-CASE OF GEEAT BRITAIN. 387 



(3.) Why should these traders be allowed to fly the Russian flag? The insolence 

 of this class of men, and the acts of violence which they are always committing on 

 their voyages, are matters of common knowledge. Why should they be allowed to 

 shelter themselves under the Russian flag in Japan, among the Tshuktches and else- 

 where? Instead of increasiug the prestige of Russia, as M. Ricord supposes, the 

 grant of the Russian flag will only add to our responsibilities and bring odium upon 

 us, especially as the Governor of Kamtshatka will have no means whatever of 

 restraining Pigott. If the thoughtless act of one of our naval ofiicers (Khvostoff) 

 very nearly led to a war with Japan at the very time when we were anxious for 

 peace and friendly intercourse with that nation, what can induce us to be so rash as 

 to place our flag in the hands of men who are ready to do anything for money ? 



2. — Extract from a Letter, dated July 2, 18 19, from' M. Ricord, Governor of KamishatJca, 

 to Privy Councillor Pestel, late Governor-General of Siberia. 



[Translation.] 



Since the last messenger left M. Dobello and I have been giving our careful 

 attention to the scheme for the establishment of a whale fishery, for which the pres- 

 ent moment is favourable. As much time would be lost if we allowed tiie English- 

 man Pigott, who is most anxious to come to terms, to leave us without some definite 

 understanding having been arrived at, we have decided to conclude with Pigott ad 

 referendum the formal. Agreement transmitted herewith. As I have not got M. 

 Dobello's fervid imagiuation, I do not exjiect from this Agreement the wonderfully 

 beneficial results to this country which he anticipates. Who will believe that in ten 

 yenrs we shall be able to have whalers of our own at Kamtshatka? 



The circumstances which led Pigott to conclude this Agreement are as follows: 



A large whale was cast up by the sea 20versts from our harbour. AVe all went to 

 Bee it. Pigott was in ecstaoy, as he recognized in it a real spermaceti whale The 

 purest oil is obtained out of the heads of these whales, and their fat is consid- 

 ered most valuable. Before the occurrence of this incident, so fortunate for us, 

 Pigott had often asserted, in the course of our conversations, during which he 

 explained his views with great openness, that whaling could not be made profitable 

 in this distant and thinly populated country, as it would not be worth while to incur 

 tlie expense of fitting out whaling vessels. But after this incident he took quite a 

 dittereut view. He began by asking me for an otficial permit for whaling on our 

 shores, and for my guarantee that he and his companions would obtain the grant 

 of privileges for ten years; after negotiations with Dobello, however, he decided to 

 sign this Agreement. I am confident that it will be approved, and that I shall be 

 instructed to do all in my power to make it work profitably for this country. I 

 shall, of course, use of my best endeavours in that dii-ection. 



The stij)ulation that the whalers shall be allowed to fly the Russian flag is very 

 advantageous to us from a political point of view, especially as regards our relations 

 with the Japanese. When the whalers happen to approach the Japanese coast, it 

 Avill be an excellent thing that the inhabitants should see how powerful we are, and, 

 moreover, when the "whalers are engaged in fishing in the north, the people inhabit- 

 ing the coasts in thai region will learn to respect us, and will be kept in check. 



In the Agreement the expression "Eastern Siberia" is used instead of "shores of 

 Kamtshatka," in order to give the Americans a larger field* for the exercise of their 

 industry ; we know that there is no better harbour in these seas than Petropavlovsk ; 

 and what is Eastern Siberia but an extent of waste land? Bcsitles, if we do not use 

 the expression "P^astern Siberia," our whalers will not be able to fish in the Sea of 

 Okhotsk or round the Kurile Islands. Moreover, we must confess our weakness; for 

 how could we prevent any one from whaling on our shores? Under these circum- 

 stances, and in view of what is stipulated in the Agreement, I am sure that the Gov- 

 ernment, after examining the instrument, will admit that its terms are advantageous, 

 and will not hesitate to ratify it. We do not ask the Government to spend any 

 money; we only wish to be allowed to found an industry which will make it possi- 

 ble for Kamtshatka to tui'n to profit in ten years' time advantages which have long 

 been potentially open. 



(Signed) Count Jacov Lambert. 



* Literally, "extent of earth." 



