266 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
See. 2. It is therefore prohibited to all foreign vessels not only to land on the 
coasts and islands belonging to Russia, as stated above, but also to approach them 
within less than 100 Italian miles. ‘The transgressor’s vessel is subject to confisca- 
tion along with the whole cargo. 
See. 3. An exception to this rule is to be made in favour of vessels carried thither 
by heavy gales, or real want of provisions, and unable to make any other shores but 
such as belong to Russia; in these cases they are obliged to produce convincing 
proofs of actual reason for such an exception. Ships of friendly Governments, 
merely on discoveries, are likewise exempt from the foregoing Rule (section 2). In 
this case, however, they must previously be provided with passports from the 
Russian Minister of the Navy. 
* * ” * * * * 
Mr. Adams to Mr. Poletica. 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, MWashington, February 25, 1822. 
Sir: I have the honour of receiving your note of the 11th instant, inclosing a 
printed copy of the Regulations adopted by the Russian-American Company, and 
sanctioned by His Imperial Majesty, relating to the commerce of foreigners in the 
waters bordering on the establishment of that Company upon the north-west coast 
of America. 
IT am directed by the President of the United States toinform you that he has seen 
with surprise, in this Edict, the assertion of a territorial claim on the part of Russia, 
extending to the 51st degree of north latitude on this continent, and a Regulation 
interdicting to all commercial vessels other than Russian, upon the penalty of seiz- 
ureand confiscation, the approach upon the high seas within 100 Italian miles of the 
shores to which that claim is made to apply. The relations of the United States 
with His Imperial Majesty have always been of the most friendly character, and it 
is the earnest desire of this Government to preserve them in that state. It was 
expected, before any act which should define the boundary between the territories 
of the United States and Russia on this continent, that the same would have been 
arranged by Treaty between the parties. To exclude the vessels of our citizens from 
the shore beyond the ordinary distance to which the territorial jurisdiction extends, 
has excited still greatersurprise. 
This Ordinance affects so deeply the rights of the United States and of their citi- 
zens that I am instructed to inquire whether you are authorized to give explanations 
of the grounds of right, upon principles generally recognized by the laws and usages 
of nations, which can warrant the claims and Regulations contained in it. 
Lavail, &c. 
(Signed) JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 
Mr. Poletica to Mr. Adams. 
WASHINGTON, February 28, 1822. 
Mr. Poletica replied on the 28th of the same month, and, after giving a summary 
of historical incidents which seemed to him to establish the title of Russia to the 
territories in question by first discovery, said: 
“‘T shall be more succinct, Sir, in the exposition of the motives which determined 
the Imperial Government to prohibit foreign vessels from approaching the north- 
west coast of America belonging to Russia within the distance of at least 100 Italian 
miles. This measure, however severe it may at first appear, is, after all, but ameas- 
ure of prevention. It is exclusively directed against the culpable enterprises of for- 
eign adventurers, who, not content with exercising upon the coasts above 
240 mentioned an illicit trade very prejudicial to the rights reserved entirely to 
the Russian-American Company, take upon them besides to furnish arms and 
ammunition to the nativesin the Russian possessions in America, exciting them like- 
wise in every manner to resist and revolt against the authorities there established. 
“The American Government doubtless recollects that the irregular conduct of 
these adventurers, the majority of whom was composed of American citizens, has 
been the object of the most pressing remonstrances on the part of Russia to the 
Federal Governinent from the time that Diplomatic Missions were organized between 
the countries. ‘These remonstrances, repeated at different times, remain constantly 
without effeet, and the inconveniences to which they ought to bring a remedy con- 
tinue to increase. . . . 
