_ APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 417 
381 No. 263. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received December 18.) 
(Telegraphic. ] 
WASHINGTON, December 18, 1889. 
I have received your telegram of yesterday. 
It would be desirable that proposed communication of Colonial Office 
to Canada as to her consent to close season agreement be deterred. 
I think Mr. Blaine will agree to an arrangement for a fixed term, and 
afterwards terminable at will of either party; but lam sure he will not 
consent to Commission to assess compensation. I have suggested that 
we should agree to a lump sum before the negotiation. He is consider- 
ing the proposal with the President of the United States. 
May I defer sending in a note until your Lordship has received my 
private letter, and until Mr. Blaine’s answer reaches me ? 
No. 264. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote.—(Substance telegraphed.) 
FOREIGN OFFICE, December 18, 1889. 
Sir: I have received your telegram of this day’s date, respecting the 
proposed negotiations on the question of the seal fisheries in Behring’s 
Sea. 
With reference to the request in the last paragraph, I have to inform 
you that you are authorized to defer making a formal proposal to the 
United States Government until you receive a reply from Mr. Blaine as 
to the possibility of agreeing upon a lump sum for the compensation of 
the owners of vessels seized by the United States authorities. 
lam, &c. 
(Signed) SALISBURY. 
No. 265. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received December 23.) 
WASHINGTON, December 13, 1889. 
My Lorp: With reference to my despatch of the 12th instant, I have 
the honour to inclose herewith an extract from the Report of the Sec- 
retary of the Treasury for the year 1889 on the subject of the seal 
islands in Behring’s Sea. : 
I have, &e. (Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
{Inclosure in No. 265.] 
Extract from the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury for the year 1889 on the subject 
of the Seal Islands in Behring’s Sea. 
The lease now held by the Alaska Commercial Company, of the exclusive right to 
take fur-seals on the Islands of St. Paul and St. George, in Behring’s Sea, expires on 
the Ist day of May next. By the provisions of sections 1963 to 1967, Revised Statutes, 
TS AL 27 
