APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 69 
dated the 20th February, 1887, of Lientenant J. C. Cantwell, an officer employed in 
the United States Revenue Service, stationed in Alaskan waters. But this is con- 
tradicted by the records of our Courts, which show that only 577 fur-seal skins 
52 were seized on American vessels last season, and proof was offered, but not 
admitted, that these were caught in the Pacific Ocean; and M. Phillipeus, the 
Russian agent of the Alaska Commercial Company, in his Report of the catch of 
that Company for the season of 1886, states that the Company killed 202,000 fur- 
seals in the waters of Behring’s Sea. So that, on the testimony of the Company 
itself, these so-called ‘piratical’ American fishermen are not engaged in the work of 
extermination to any serious extent, but this Company is engaged in that work. 
The same Lieutenant Cantwell, who is an ardent (but incoherent) writer, in the 
same communication, states that not one-half the number of seals are killed that 
should be, because they are increasing so rapidly; and we feel just cause of com- 
plaint that American fishermen are arrested and their property confiscated for doing 
that which the Alaska Commercial Company is permitted to do in violation of a 
lease which restricts its catch to the Islands of St. Paul and St. George. 
‘COURT DECISIONS DISREGARDED. 
“Under the decisions of our Courts, and the opinion of the Treasury Department, 
as given in 1872, every citizen has a right to fish for fur-seals in the waters of Beh- 
ring’s Sea when distant a full marine league from the shore. 
“But these decisions and former rulings of the Treasury Department are disre- 
garded, and no one except this Company is permitted to kill seals anywhere in 
Behring’s Sea. 
“At a time when Congress is making an effort to protect the fisheries of the 
Atlantic coast, the officers of the Government on the Pacific coast, with singular 
inconsistency, are destroying and preying upon the commerce of its own citizens. 
“It is to be hoped that this mistaken policy of the Government officials will be 
changed upon investigation of their conduct and that of the lessees of the Govern- 
ment, and that the great injury heretofore committed, and about to be repeated, 
upon our fishing-vessels by them, will be prevented. 
“We make this statement because we have been despoiled of our property. One 
of our vessels, the ‘San Diego,’ seized and taken to Sitka and condemned, her cargo 
of seal-skins, taken in the open sea, left in the care of the Alaska Commercial Com- 
pany’s warehouse at an island in mid-ocean; the voyage of another schooner, the 
‘Sierra,’ broken up and destroyed; because our efforts to procure the signature of 
the Judge of the District Court of Alaska to a summary statement of the facts 
of the cases, for transmission to the Secretary of the Treasury, for a remission 
of the forfeiture, have been disregarded and ignored at the instigation of the Com- 
pany, whose own attorney acted as special counsel for the Government in procuring 
said forfeiture; because our Petition and requests to the Secretary of the Treasury, 
made months ago for relief, and to bring said property within reach of a civilized 
community, to prevent its utter destruction by rot and decay, remain unnoticed and 
unanswered; because it is understood that large appropriations are about to be made 
for the purpose of enabling Revenue cruizers to continue their policy of preying 
upon American commerce in Behring’s Sea, and guarding those waters as a closed 
sea. And it is respectfully suggested that the subject-matter be submitted to the 
Law Officers of the Government, that instructions may be issued and published by 
the Treasury Department to Revenue Marine officers, to guide them in the proper 
execution of the laws relating to Alaskan waters, so that all persons engaged in 
seal fishing may understand their rights in this branch of our domestic commerce. 
‘“‘Impressed with the belief that we have exhausted our efforts to obtain either a 
hearing or redress is our apolegy for appealing to the Chief Executive of the nation. 
“With ercat respect, yours, &e. 
(Signed) LL, N. HANDY AND Co.” 
No. 33. 
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—( Received April 2.) 
DOWNING STREET, April 2, 1887. 
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by 
Secretary Sir H. Holland to transmit to you, to be laid before the Mar- 
quis of Salisbury, copy of a telegram from the Governor-General of 
Canada inquiring whether owners of vessels now fitting out for this 
year’s trip to Behring’s Sea may depend upon being unmolested by 
United States cruizers when not near land. 
