80 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN, 
attention of the United States Government to the action of the American authorities 
in their treatment of these vessels, mates, and crews, and directing him to seek assur- 
ance that pending a settlement of the question, no seizures of British vessels would 
be made beyond the territorial waters of Alaska. 
On the 9th January, 1887, Sir L. West wrote to Mr. Bayard, reviewing the whole 
case, and urging immediate action. On the 12th of the same month Mr. Bayard 
replied, explaining the reasons of the delay, and stating that every possible dispateh 
had been made in ‘order to procure the necessary papers. 
On the 3rd February Mr. Bayard informed Sir L. West that the documents rela- 
tive to these seizures left Sitka on the 26th January, and might be expected to reach 
him within a fortnight. In the meantime, he informed the British Minister that 
orders had been issued for the discontinuance of all pending proceedings, the dis- 
charge of the vessels, and the release of all persons uniler arrest in connection with 
these seizures, and that the conclusion of any questions involved must be reserved 
until the papers relating thereto had arrived. 
On the 4th February Sir L. West communicated the above information to his 
Excellency the Governor-General. 
The Minister further states that from information received from the owners of the 
seized vessels, and from the Collector of Customs at Victoria, British Columbia, he 
learns that James Ogilvie, an old nan and master of the “Carolina,” was arrested 
along with the masters and mates of the “ Onward” and “Thornton,” and brought 
into Court for trial, but that before sentence was pronounced he was suffered to 
wander away in the woods, where he died from want and exposure; that the other 
masters and mates after remaining several months in prison were reles ued by order 
of the Governor of Alaska, and turned adrift liter: uly destitute to find their way as 
best they could to their homes 1,500 miles distant, and which could be reached only 
bya long and costly sea voy age: that the owners of the condemned vessels have 
received no intimation from the United States authorities of the release of their 
vessels or the restoration of the valuable cargo of seal-skins and equipments on 
board, and that they have no information as to the condition in which their property 
is at the present time. 
The owners are thus left in complete uncertainty as to when or where their prop- 
erty is to be restored, and anticipate serious damage, if not total loss, to their vessels 
trom the tremendous gales which during the past winter have swept the North Pac ific 
coasts. They also state that, knowing well as they do the character of the Indians 
in that vicinity, and apprehending that no ver y vigilant wateh has been kept over 
their property, they fear that everything movable Will have been carried aw: Mea litt 
they are “compelled to receive the vessels at Oonalaska, where they have been 
63 detained, it will necessitate the chartering of a steamer, with men and sup- 
plies, at great expense and a round voyage of some 3,000 miles in order to 
bring them to Victoria. 
The consequent damage and loss to vessels and cargoes through detention, and 
the heavy cost which will be entailed in bringing them to the home port, the owners 
consider good grounds for claiming consideration from the United States authorities 
when the question of reparation is being settled. - 
The Committee concurring in the foregoing Report of the Minister of Marine and 
Fisheries advise that your Excellency be ‘moved to call the attention of Her Majesty’s 
Government again to the grave injustice done by the United States authorities to 
British subjects, peace: vbly pursuing their lawful occupations on the high seas, and 
to the great delay which has taken place in inquiring into and redressing the wrongs 
committed to the severe, inhospitable, and unjustifiable treatment of the officers 
and crews of the vessels seized, and to the serious loss inflicted upon owners of the 
same, in order that full and speedy reparation may be made by the United States 
Government. 
All which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency’s approval. 
(Signed) JOHN J. MCGEE, 
Clerk, Privy Council, Canada. 
[Inclosure 3 in No. 40.] 
Mr. Hamley to Mr. Tilton. 
Custom-Housn, Victoria, April 23, 1887. 
Str: In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, I beg to state that none of the 
masters or mates of the vessels seized in Behring’s ‘Sea in August last remain now in 
imprisonment. When the vessels were condemned the Judge, »Mr. Dawson, sentenced 
masters and mates to fines, which were never pi aid, and to different terms of impris- 
onment. Ogilvie, master of the “Carolina,” an old man, was arrested and brought 
into Court, but before the sentence was pronounced he wandered away into the woods 
and died there. 
