378 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
“‘Notice.—At the request of the local authorities of Behring and other islands, the 
Undersigned hereby notilies that the Russian Imperial Government publishes, for 
general knowledge, the following: 
“1, Without a special permit or licence from the Governor-General of Eastern 
Siberia, foreign vessels are not allowed to carry on trading, hunting, fishing, &c., 
on the Russian coast or islands in the Okhotsk and Behring’s Seas, or on the north- 
east coast of Asia, or within their sea boundary-line. 
“5. Foreign vessels found trading, hunting, fishing, &c., in Russian waters with- 
out a licence or permit from the Governor-General, and also those possessing a licence 
or permit who may infringe the existing byelaws on hunting, shall be confiscated, 
both vessels and cargoes, tor the benefit of the Government. This enactment shall 
be enforced henceforth, commencing with a.bD. 1882. 
“6. The enforcement of the above will be intrusted to men-of-war, and also Rus- 
sian merchant-vessels, which, for that purpose, will carry military detachments, and 
be provided with proper instructions.” 
There is nothing ambiguous in the language of this Proclamation. It means that 
Russia will enforce her sovereignty over the western half of Behring’s Sea, within 
her ‘‘ sea boundary-line.” 
The cession of Alaska to the United States by Russia, and the terms of the Treaty 
making such cession, were well known to all nations, yet no protests or objections 
were made, though it was well understood to convey the title to the waters of 
Behring’s Sea. The discussion of the treaty in the United States Senate was notice 
to our nation and to all the world. In confirmation of which, I quote from the 
remarks of Mr. Charles Sumner, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the Senate of the United States, at the time of the consideration of the Treaty. Mr. 
Sumner said, speaking for the Treaty: 
«<The seal, amphibious, polygamous, and intelligent as the beaver, has always 
supplied the largest multitude of furs to the Russian Company.’ After enumerat- 
ing the land furs, the value of the walrus for ivory, he adds: ‘I mention the sea- 
otter last; but in beauty and value it is the first. In these respects it far surpasses 
the river and land otter, &c. I come now to the fisheries, the Jast head of this 
inquiry, and not inferior to any other in importance; perhaps the most important of 
all. What even are sea-otter skins by the side of that product of the sea, incalculable 
in amount, which contributes to the sustenance of the human family?’ ” 
Thus showing that the acquisition of the products of Behring’s Sea, its fur-bearing 
animals, and fisheries, were regarded as the chief object of the purchase. 
Again, Mr. Sumner, in the course of his remarks, said: 
“<«Traversing Behring’s Sea midway between the Island of Attoo on the east and 
Copper Island on the west, to the meridian of 173° east longitude, leaving the pro- 
longed group of the Aleutian Islands in the possessions now transferred to the 
United States, and making the western boundary of our country the dividing-line 
which separates Asia from America.’ ” 
Mr. Sumner again said: 
““tIn the Aleutian range, beside innumerable islets and rocks, there are not less 
than fifty-five islands exceeding 3 miles in length; there are seven exceeding 40 
miles, with Oonimak, which is the largest, exceeding 73 miles. Jn our part of Beh- 
ring’s Sea there are five considerable islands, the largest of which is St. Lawrence, 
being more than 96 miles long.’ ” , 
344 Note the expression of the distinguished Senator, ‘‘In our part of Behring’s 
Sea.” This, coming from so high an authority, in language so plain and 
explicit as not to admit of misconstruction, evinces the intention and understanding 
of the Contracting Governments, which was the partition of the sovereignty of the 
waters of. Behring’s Sea by a south-westerly line through it, the eastern portion, 
with Alaska, being the territory of the United States, and the western portion, with 
Siberian Asia, that of Russia, their combined territory and shore-lines surrounding 
Behring’s Sea, except the northern and southern outlets. 
Lhe discussion in the United States Senate, and its final action upon this Treaty 
and question, was a notice to the world of Russia’s right to transfer this valuable 
marine territory, to which not even a suggestion to the contrary has ever been raised 
on the part of any nation. 
If more were needed to convince us of the rights and intentions of the High Con- 
tracting Parties, we have only to refer to the correspondence between our then Sec- 
retary of State, Mr. Seward, and our Minister at St. Petersburgh. (Printed in 
executive documents for the use of Congress.) 
In May 1867 our Minister writes as follows: 
“Sir: Your despatch No. 241 of the 1st April, 1867, inclosing the Treaty between 
Russia and America, ceding us all Russian America, was duly received. I awaited 
the expression of European and Russian sentiments in reference thereto before 
answering you, 
