APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 241 
Apart from this risk, however, which the owners of the vessels are asked to take 
upon themselves, it appears that the giving of bonds of such a nature would involve 
the admission that the Courts of the \'nited States had jurisdiction in regard to the 
seizures, and that the laws of the United States applied to the cases of these 
217.—-vessels, such propositions could by no means be admitted. The vessels had 
not entered within the waters over which the laws of the United States extend, 
and over which the Executive or Judiciary of that country have any authority. 
The vessels in question were molested in a lawful occupation on the high seas, and 
were seized by vessels in the service of the United States but possessing no right 
whatever to molest the people of Canada or their property on the ocean. 
Similar outrages have been committed in the preceding year, and the vessels seized 
then were ordered to be surrendered by the United States authorities. In the pres- 
ent cases, therefore, the repetition of such acts of violence was a proceeding for which 
the owners of the vessels have a right to expect that Her Majesty’s Government will 
demand and exact redress. 
They should not be asked to seek that redress in the Courts of any foreign coun- 
try whatever, and the Courts of the United States have no more cognizance of their 
complaint than the Courts of any other foreign country. 
The Committee, concurring in the above Report, advise that yvour Excellency be 
moved to transmit a copy of this Minute to the Right Honourable the Secretary of 
State for the Colonies, and also to the British Minister at Washineton. 
All which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency’s approval. 
(Signed) JouNn J. McGer, 
Clerk, Privy Council, Canada, 
{Inclosure 3 in No. 148.] 
Sir L. West to the Marquis of Lansdowne, March 19, 1888, 
(See Inclosure 2 in No. 110.) 
[Inclosure 4 in No. 148.] 
Afr. Foster to Sir L. West, March 6, 1888, 
(See Inclosure 1 in No. 110.) 
{Inclosure 5 in No. 148.—Extract.] 
The Marquis of Lansdowne to Sir L. West. 
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, Ottawa, March 23, 1888. 
I have the honour to inclose herewith, for your information, copy of a despatch 
which [have addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies* upon the subject of 
the Canadian sealing- vessels seized by the United States cruizers in the Behring’s Sea. 
Should you be able to obtain any information in regard to the action likely to be 
taken during the present year by cruizers of the United States in the Behring’s Sea 
agninst vessels frequenting those waters, I shall be much obliged if you will put me 
in possession of it. 
{Inclosure 6 in No. 148.] 
Lord Stanley of Preston to Sir L. West. 
THe Cascaprepia, New Richmond, July 21, 1888. 
Str: With reference to your despatch of the 19th March, inclosing a copy of a tele- 
gram which you had received from my Minister of Marine and Tl isheries relative to 
the pending proceedings in the cases of Canadian sealing-vessels seized in Behring’s 
Sea, andin reply thereto, setting forth the opinion of the Attorney-General that Rule 
*See Inclosure in No. 114. 
