APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 369 
In every instance, as already stated, the Canadian Government has placed Her 
Majesty’s Government promptly in possession of the information in its possession, 
and it is with much regret that, at this date, when the period for appealing has long 
since expired in the case of the seizures of 1886, the Undersigned learns that any 
further steps are considered necessary to strengthen the demand made in 1886 upon 
the United States Government, more especially in view of similar outrages now 
being daily perpetrated. 
With deference, the Undersigned further submits that the intimation in the cable 
despatch above mentioned is somewhat unusual under the circumstances which 
attended the seizure of the ships in question. 
If the alleged infraction of the Laws of the United States had occurred in the 
waters over which that country is or was entitled to exercise jurisdiction, the Courts 
of the United States could with propriety be first resorted to before pressing any 
claim for the immediate attention of the Executive. 
In view of the firmness with which the rights of British subjects on the high seas 
have been maintained in the past, the Undersigned fails to appreciate not ‘merely 
any reason for the long delay in obtaining satisfaction from the ageressive and hos- 
tile action exercised against British subjects and British property by the United 
States, but also for the wanton continuance of this treatment from which so much 
direct and indirect damage and loss is sustained by one of Her Majesty’s Colonial 
Possessions. Moreover, the Undersigned would call attention to the imminent dan- 
ger of loss of life, not to speak of the physical suffering already sustained, since it 
requires no ar eument to show that the lawless violence on the part of the Revenue- 
cutters of the United States Government may at any time lead to forcible resistance 
from the crews of British vessels being pursued and molested in their lawful pur- 
suits. 
The Undersigned, therefore, recommends that his Excellency the Governor-General 
be moved to acquaint the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies 
with these views, and to urge that no further time be permitted to elapse without 
securing for British subjects in Canada the same freedom in the navigation and 
enjoyment of the waters of the Behring’s Sea which the United States claimed for 
the seamen of all nations when the territory adjacent to that part of the Pacitic 
Ocean belonged to the Empire of Russia. 
Respectfully submitted. 
(Signed) CHARLES H. TUPPER, 
Minister of Marine and Fisheries. 
APPENDIX (A). 
Re Beliing’s Sea Seizures. 
To Captain JoHN G. Cox and WiLLiaAM Munsik£. Esq., 
Victoria, British Columbia. 
Vicroria, August 17, 1889. 
GENTLEMEN: In reference to the orders issued by the United States Government 
for the release of the British schooners ‘‘Carolena,” “Onward,” and ‘‘Thornton,” 
seized in Behring’s Sea in 1886, and since detained at Ounalaska, T received in Aug ust 
last from the United States Marshal, Atkins, of Alaska, the following letters: 
“A, L. BELYEA, Esq., Victoria. 
‘DISTRICT OF ALASKA, 
“OFFICE OF UNITED STATES MARSHAL, 
“Sitka, August 4, 1888. 
‘*DraR Sir: In reply to your letter of the 17th July, 1 have the honour to state 
that in the month of February 1887 the officers of the District Court of this district 
received a despatch purporting to be from the United States Attorney-General, 
directing the release of the schooners ‘Onward,’ ‘Thornton,’ and ‘ Carolena,’ but, oi 
what was then deemed sufficient evidence, the despatch was thought to be a forgery, 
and no action was taken in the matter until the receipt in October last of another 
despatch from the Honourable Attorney-General, as follows: 
«Let the vessels ‘‘ Carolena,” ‘‘ Onward,” and ‘‘ Thornton” be released, as ordered 
in mine of the 6th January last.’ 
“On the receipt of the above despatch I gave notice thereof to Captain J. D. 
335 Warren and to Mr. C. Spring, of Victoria, owners of two of the vessels, and 
should have given like notice to the owner of the ‘Carolena’ had I known his 
address and name. I requested Captain Warren to notify all owners at Victoria, 
BS, PT vy——24 
