252 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
The Minister of Marine and Fisheries, to whom the above was referred, reports 
that on the 80th Jnly last a Minute of Council was adopted as follows: 
“The Committee have had under consideration a telegram dated the 20th July, 
1888, from the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, with respect to the bond- 
ing of the sealing schooners ‘Anna Beck,’ ‘Dolphin,’ ‘Grace,’ and ‘Ada,’ seized in 
Bebring’s Sea in 1887. ‘The Minister of Marine and Fisheries, to whom the said tele- 
gram was referred, recommends that the Imperial Government be moved to request 
the interposition of the United States Government to have the sale of the condemned 
vessels postponed, pending the settlement of the question as to the legality of their 
seizure. 
“The Committee submit the above for your Excellency’s approval, and advise 
that your Excellency be moved to communicate by cable to the Colonial Secretary 
the request of the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, and to urge upon Her 
Majesty’s Government the necessity for immediate communication with the United 
States Government, with a view to save from further and disastrous loss the owners 
of the condemned vessels;” and that in reply to this Minute a telegram, under date 
of the 18th August, 1888, was received by your Excellency from Sir Lionel West as 
follows: 
“Acting Attorney Garrison has given directions, both by letter and telegram, to 
postpone the sale of the schooners. The Marshal has also been directed to receive 
bonds in lieu of the vessels.” 
The Minister observes that copies of the correspondence referred to confirm the 
intimation conveyed by the above telegram, that an order for the postponement of 
the sale, and permitting the bonding of these vessels at the value already appraised, 
had been made by the Department of Justice at Washington, in compliance with 
the request of Lord Salisbury. Subsequent to the receipt of this order, the United 
States Marshal at Seattle, Washington Territory, informed the Attorney-General for 
the United States that the owners of the schooners ‘‘Anna Beck,” ‘‘Grace,” and 
“Dolphin,” claimed that not only was the appraisement made at Sitka a year pre- 
viously excessive, but that the value of the vessels, on account of the inclement 
climate at Alaska, had in the meantime been constantly depreciating, and they 
therefore declined to bond them, with the exception of the ‘‘Anna Beck,” at such 
appraisement, but requested a new appraisement, and stated that if a new appraise- 
ment was not allowed, the owners desired the sale should proceed. 
It further appears from the same communication, that in the case of one of the 
vessels, the ‘Anna Beck,” the owner is willing to furnish satisfactory bonds, at the 
value already appraised, if this can be done, subject to a final settlement of the matter, 
and without necessitating an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. 
The Minister further observes that, touching the question of excessive appraise- 
ment, the United States Marshal states as follows: ‘“‘ Having myself a practical 
knowledge of the value of such property I fully coincide with the claimant, that 
the valuation put on the schooners ‘ Grace’ and ‘ Dolphin’ was excessive.” 
The Committee recommend, therefore, that your Excellency be moved to forward 
a copy of this Minute to Her Majesty’s Minister at Washington, with a view to mov- 
ing the United States authorities to authorize the reappraisement in the cases of 
the “Grace” and ‘‘ Dolphin,” and that in the case of the ‘‘Anna Beck,” instructions 
be given to accept the proposed bonds of the owner, subject to a final settlement of 
the matter. 
All of which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency’s approval. 
(Signed ) JOHN J. MCGER, 
Clerk, Privy Council, Canada. 
22 No. 165. 
Colonial Ofice to Foreign Office.—( Received November 2.) 
DOWNING STREET, November 1, 1888. 
Srr: With reference to the letter from this Department of the 25th 
October respecting the bonding of certain vessels seized last year in 
Behring’s Sea, | am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be 
laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a telegram received from 
the Governor-General of Canada relating to the case of the vessel, “Ada.” 
lam, We. 
(Signed) JOHN BRAMSTON. 
