286 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
It has been estimated that 16,000,000 seals haul out annually of St. Paul, and 
3,000,000 on St. George Islands. The Commercial Alaska Company controls these 
and other islands by lease from the American and Russian Governments. I am of 
opinion that many fur seal pup on kelp fields along the British Columbia coast. I 
have had reliable information from practical hunters and fishermen who bear me 
out on this point. Morris: Moss, of Victoria, states that during the year 1870 he was 
engaged trading onthe coast near Bella Bella during the months of March aud April, 
when he saw hundreds of fur seal pups from 3 to 5 months old, which had become 
separated from their mothers, and on account of a heavy storm were blown on shore 
and caught by the natives. Captain Alexander McLean, of Victoria, states that 
he killed a number of fur seal pups off Cape Cook, which had likewise been blown 
ashore during a storm. James G.Swan’s Report for 1880 and 1885 goes to show 
257 ~=that the Indians of Cape Flattery capture fur seal pups each season, and keep 
them as pets around the camps. It is impossible that these pups may have 
come from Bebring’s Seaat that age, as Mr. Elliott states they do not leave the islands 
before the month of November, and those that Mr. Swan speaks of are caught early 
in the spring. The majority of our hunters contend that there are over 7 per cent. 
of pups in the entire catch of fur seals on the coast; while in Behring’s Sea the catch 
does not exceed 1 per cent. But they cannot deny the fact that over 60 per cent. of 
the entire catch of Behring’s Sea is made up of female seals. 
No-99; 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received June 3.) 
WASHINGTON, May 24, 1889. 
My Lorp: [have the honour to inform your Lordship that the steamer 
“Rush,” of the United States Revenue Service, has been ordered to 
Behring’s Sea in order to protect the fur-bearing animals in the terri- 
tory of Alaska or in the waters thereof, in accordance with section 1956 
of the Revised Statutes. 
The Revenue steamer * Bear,” now fitting at San Francisco, will shortly 
follow the ‘‘ Rush,” in order to assist her in this work. 
I have, we. 
(Signed) J. PAUNCEFOTE. 
{Inclosure in No. 199.) 
Extract from the ‘“‘ Washington Post” of May 24, 1889. 
THe ALASKAN SEAL FisHEries.—Secretary Windom yesterday signed the sailing 
orders of the Revenue-steamer ‘ Rush,” directing that she sail immediately upon 
receipt of her instructions to Ounalaska, and then to cruize diligently in Behring’s 
Sea for the purpose of ‘warning all persons against entering such waters for the 
purpose of violating section 1956 of the Revised Stavutes, and arresting all persons, 
and seizing all vessels, found to be, or to haye been, engaged in any violation of the 
laws of the United States therein.” 
Section 1956, Revised Statutes, referred to above, provides that ‘‘no person shall 
kill any otter, mink, marten, sable, or fur-seal, or other fur-bearing animal within 
the limits of Alaska territory, or in the waters thereof; and every person guilty 
thereof shall, for each offence, be fined not less than 200 dollars nor more than 1, 000 
dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, and all vessels, their 
tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, found engaged in violation of this section 
shall be forfeited; but the Secretary of the Treasury shall have power to authorize 
the killing of any such mink, marten, sable, or other fur-bearing animal, except fur- 
seal, under such regulations as he may prescribe, and it shall be the duty of the 
Secretary to prevent the killing of any fur-seal, and to provide for the execution of 
the provisions of this section until it is otherwise provided by law, nor shall he grant 
any special privileges under this section.” 
The Commanding Officer of the “Rush” is also furnished with copies of the Act 
of the 2nd March, 1889, and the President’s Proclamation of the 21st March, 1889, 
regarding the protection of the seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, and instructed 
eee. ae 
