462 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
was detained till released by instructions from the Secretary of the 
Treasury dated the 29th instant, on the ground that the Federal Courts 
of Alaska have exclusive jurisdiction over all violations of the Seal 
Fishery Laws. 
I have, &e. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
{Inclosure in No. 317.] 
Extract from the ‘ New York Tribune,” of March 30, 1890. 
PORTLAND, OREGON, March 29, 1890. 
The British sealing schooner “ Pathfinder,” Captain Arthur Morgan, of Victoria, 
was towed into port last night by the United States Revenue cutter ‘“ Corwin.” 
The schooner was found at Neagh Bay, Washington, with rudder disabled, and taken 
into custody by the cutter. The ‘ Pathfinder” is not seized, but detained pending 
instructions from the Department at Washington, The schooner is one of the seal- 
ing-vessels seized last year in Behring’s Sea by the cutter “ Richard Rush,” and 
ordered to Sitka, Alaska, in charge of one seaman as a prizemaster. She escaped to 
Victoria, and has since been engaged in sealing off the American and British coasts 
till yesterday, when compelled to go into the bay for repairs. Captain Hooper, of 
the ‘‘Corwin,” holds the vessel pending the decision of the Department relative to 
whether the vessel is amenable to the Law regarding sealing in Behring’s Sea, for 
which she was seized. 
422 The ‘‘ Pathfinder” sailed from Victoria two months ago; she secured 150 
seals off the coast of Vancouver and Washington. 
Particulars of the detention have been sent to the Secretary of the Treasury at 
Washington, also to the Department at Ottawa, Canada. 
WASHINGTON, March 29, 1890. 
The following telegram was sent by Assistant Secretary Tichenor this afternoon to 
the Collector of Customs at Port Townsend, Washington: 
“Tn the year 1887 the Department, in a case quite similar, but in some respects 
stronger for the Government, decided that the vessel could not be held. In view of 
that precedent, without now reviewing the principles upon which it proceeded, I 
direct the release of the ‘ Pathfinder.’” 
The precedent referred to in the above telegram was the case of the schooner 
“Ellen.” That vessel was seized in Behring’s Sea in 1887, by Captain Shepard, of 
the Revenue Marine Service, for violation of the Seal Fishery Laws, and was ordered 
to Sitka, Alaska, for trial. Instead, however, her captain took her to San Francisco. 
She was there seized by the Customs officers, but was subsequently released by 
direction of Secretary Fairchild, on the ground that the Federal officers at San Fran- 
cisco had no jurisdiction over offences committed in the District of Alaska. Under 
this ruling the Federal Courts of Alaska will have exclusive jurisdiction over all vio- 
lations of the Seal Fishery Laws. 
No. 318. 
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—( Received April 18.) 
DOWNING STREET, April 14, 1890. 
Sir: I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, for the 
information of the Marquis of Salisbury, copies of telegraphic corre- 
spondence with the Governor-General of Canada respecting the pro- 
posed Convention for the establishment of a close time for seals in 
Behring’s Sea. 
lam, We. 
(Signed) JOHN BRAMSTON. 
