442 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
assessment of damages for the seizures of Canadian vessels, being com- 
menced at once, leaving the question of arbitration in suspense until 
the results of both proceedings are known. 
No. 282. 
Foreign Office to Colonial Office. 
FOREIGN OFFICE, February 10, 1890. 
Str: With reference to my letter of the 3rd instant, I am directed 
by the Marquis of Salisbury to transmit herewith, to be laid be- 
405 fore Secretary Lord Knutsford, a copy of a telegram from Sir J. 
Pauncefote,* stating that he has communicated the amount of 
the Behring’s Sea claims to Mr. Blaine, who proposes to assess them 
provisionally, and then to refer the question of the liability of the United 
States Government to arbitration. 
Tam to state that Lord Salisbury proposes, with Lord Knutsford’s 
concurrence, to authorize Sir J. Pauncefote to commence at once the 
tripartite negotiations and the assessment of damages, leaving the 
question of arbitration in suspense until the results of both proceed- 
ings are known. 
lam, &e. (Signed) P. CURRIE. 
No. 283. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
FOREIGN OFFICE, February 10, 1890. 
Srr: I have received your telegram of the 8th instant, stating that 
you have communicated to Mr. Blaine the amount claimed on account 
of the seizures of Canadian vessels, and that his [Excellency states 
that such a sum could only be paid on the award of an arbitration, 
followed by a vote of Congress. You add that he is willing to assess 
the claims provisionally, leaving the question of the liability of the 
United States Government to be eventually decided by arbitration. 
I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty’s Government are willing to 
proceed in accordance with Mr. Blaine’s suggestion, and that you are 
authorized at once to commence negotiations for a tripartite Agreement 
respecting the establishment of a close season, and the assessment of 
damages sustained on account of the seizure of the vessels. 
Iam, &e. (Signed) SALISBURY. 
No. 284. 
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—( Received February 11.) 
(Extract. ] 
DOWNING STREET, February 11, 1890. 
_ With reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by Lord 
Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salis- 
bury, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, for- 
* See No. 280. 
