808 APPENDIX TO COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Declaration of Adolph Bidderhjellce. 



City of Victoria, British Columbia, to wit, 



I, Adolph Riclderbjelke, of the city of New Whatcom, in the State 

 of Washiugton, do solemnly declare and say: 



1. That on the 11th or 12th day of November, 1891, 1 entered the Beh- 

 riug Sea through the False Pass, or Issanacks Straits, as it is some- 

 times called, and set course for St. George Island, and having been 

 compelled to heave-to on account of contrary winds, did not reach the 

 vicinity of the island until the afternoon of the 16th. At about 3 

 o'clock in that afternoon we were close enough to the island to have 

 been seen from it had a look-out been kept — the afternoon was bright 

 and clear. We were close enough to see the outline of the bay on the 

 south side of the island. We passed the island and returned between 

 midnight and 1 o'clock on the morning of the 17th, close enough to 

 sight North-East Point, and kept on towards the Island. When more 

 than a mile away from the island a boat was lowered. It returned to 

 the schooner about half-an-honr afterwards. The boat was sent out to 

 see that all was well, and returned with the report that they had seen 

 nothing. I then lowered all our boats (three) at 1*15; ten men went 

 ashore. They remained ashore until nearly 7 o'clock ; it was then day- 

 light. After the boats left, I steamed in so close to the shore that I 

 could see the rocks on the bottom. Frequent attempts were made to 

 get the seals on board, but the swell was so heavy that there was great 

 trouble with the boats, and only thirty- seven seals were got on board. 

 I could see the guardhouse plainly, but no one appeared, though a 

 tremendous noise was made. The men were continually calling out 

 and shouting; all the vessels' lights were lit during the whole time. 

 No lights were taken ashore, as the night was clear, the moon shining 

 during the early part of the evening. We then steamed round to 

 Garden Cove, where the vessel was anchored. At about 3 o'clock in the 

 afternoon the people on the island seemed to have awoke, for two men 

 were seen walking on the hill behind Garden Cove. We were about a 

 mile from shore at the time. I at once got up the anchor and steamed 

 away. I went to Makushin then, and afterwards to Unalaska, I 

 started for Macushin again after having been several days at Unalaska, 

 but on account of heavy weather had to return to the latter place. 

 While there the first time my papers were sealed up, and I was ordered 

 by the Custom-house officer to proceed to Sitka. From one or more of 

 my men the Deputy Marshal learned where we had been, and after we 

 had been in Unalaska several days he took charge of the vessel. We 

 were kept there until the steamer "Elsie" arrived from Sitka, about 

 the 15th April. We were then taken to Sitka, reaching there the 28th 

 April, I think. While at Sitka, Captain Lavender, whom I was told 

 was an Agent of the American Government, examined me as to my 

 belief as to what would be the best means by which the seals might be 

 protected. I told him that, from my knowledge of the matter, I 

 thought that to protect the seals properly there should be years when 

 no seals should be taken, either on the islands or at sea. He took down 

 my evidence and asked me to swear to it, which I did. I know that he 

 also examined some of my men; none of them were good hunters, as 

 they lacked experience. 



And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the 

 same to be true, and by virtue of " The Act respecting Extra-Judicial 

 Oaths." 



(Signed) . Adolph Eidderbjelke. 



