204 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
passed on this subject; and Iam to request that in laying these papers 
before Lord Knutsford you will call his attention to the instructions 
given to Sir L. West to inform the United States Secretary of State 
that, in acting upon the invitation conveyed in Mr. Bayard’s despatch 
to Mr. Phelps of the 7th ultimo, Her Majesty’s Government do not 
admit the rights of jurisdiction exercised by the United States authori- 
ties in Behring’s Sea during the fishing seasons of 1886-87 and 1887-88, 
and that the presentation of claims on account of the wrongtul seizures 
of British vessels engaged in the seal-fishing industry will not be 
affected by such action. 
Lan, We. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
184 No. 102. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir L. West. 
FOREIGN OFFICE, March 17, 1888. 
Sir: Since forwarding to you my despatch of the 22nd ultimo I have 
been in communication with the Russian Ambassador at this Court, 
and have invited his Excellency to ascertain whether his Government 
would authorize him to discuss with Mr. Phelps and myself the sug- 
gestion made by Mr. Bayard in his despatch of the 7th February, that 
concerted action should be taken by the United States, Great Britain, 
and other interested Powers, in order to preserve from extermination 
the fur seals which at certain seasons are found in Behring’s Sea. 
Copies of the correspondence on this question which has passed 
between M. de Staal and myself is inclosed herewith.* 
L request that you will inform Mr. Bayard of the steps which have 
been taken, with a view to the initiation of negotiations for an Agree- 
ment between the three Powers principally concerned in the mainte- 
nance of the seal fisheries. But in so doing, you should state that this 
action on the part of Her Majesty’s Government must not be taken as 
an admission of the rights of jurisdiction in Behring’s Sea exercised 
there by the United States authorities during the tishing seasons of 
1886-87 and 1887-88, nor as affecting the claims which Her Majesty’s 
Government will have to present on account of the wrongful seizures 
which have taken place of British vessels engaged in the seal-fishing 
industry. 
lam, &e 
(Signed) SALISBURY. 
No. 103. 
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—(Receired March 22.) 
DOWNING STREET, March 22, 1888. 
Str: I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid 
before the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a notice of a question to be 
asked in the House of Commons on Monday next by Mr. Gourley, 
respecting the alleged clearing for Behring’s Sea of Canadian sealing 
* Nos. 98 and 99, 
s 
