518 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
According to accounts given in the press, the accuracy of which is 
not denied by Mr. Blaine, these instructions are similar to those under 
which Canadian vessels were seized last summer outside the territorial 
waters of the United States, with this exception, that, instead of captur- 
ing vessels found sealing in Behring’s Sea, the cruizers are to dismantle 
such vessels, and to seize their log-books and skins as evidence in case 
of judicial proceedings. 
This modification, it is unnecessary to say, in no way removes the 
objections of Her Majesty’s Government to such interference with Brit- 
ish vessels on the high seas as contrary to international law and the 
practice of civilized nations. 
They deeply regret this decision of the United States Government, 
as likely, if persisted in, to produce the most serious complications, 
and to frustrate the efforts now being made to arrive at an agreement 
for the proper protection of the seal fisheries, and the settlement of 
the questions connected therewith. 
Her Majesty’s Government have no alternative, under the cireum- 
stances, but to protest formally and solemnly against any interference 
on the part of United States cruizers with British vessels navigating 
outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and to leave to 
the United States Government the responsibility of the consequences 
if that protest is disregarded. 
I accordingly inclose herewith the draft of a note which you will 
address to Mr. Blaine if you should unfortunately find that there is no 
intention of so modifying or restricting the action of the United States 
cruizers as to render this step unnecessary. 
J am, &e. (Signed) SALISBURY. 
[Inclosure in No. 342.] 
Draft of Note to be addressed to Mr. Blaine. 
The Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty’s Envoy Extroardinary and Minister 
Plenipotentiary, &c., has the honour, by instructions of his Government, to make to 
Mr. Blaine, Secretary of State, &c., the following communication: 
Her Britannic Majesty’s Government have learned with great concern, from notices 
which have appeared in the press, and the general accuracy of which has been con- 
firmed by Mr. Blaine’s statements to the Undersigned, that the Government of 
468 the United States have issued instructions to their Revenue cruizers about to 
be dispatched to Behring’s Sea, under which the vessels of British subjects 
will again be exposed, in the prosecution of their legitimate industry on the high 
seas, to unlawful interference at the hands of American officers. 
Her Britannic Majesty’s Government are anxious to co operate to the fullest extent 
of their power with the Government of the United States in such measures as may 
be found to be expedient for the protection of the seal fisheries. They are at the 
present moment engaged in examining, in concert with the Government of the United 
States, the best method of arriving at an agreement upon this point. But they ean- 
not admit the right of the United States of their own sole motion to restrict for this 
purpose the freedom of navigation of Behring’s Sea, which the United States have 
themselves in former years convincingly and successfully vindicated, nor to enforce 
their municipal legislation against British vessels on the high seas beyond the limits 
of their territorial jurisdiction. 
Her Britannic Majesty’s Government are therefore unable to pass over without 
notice the public announcement of an intention on the part of the Government of 
the United States to renew the acts of interference with British vessels navigating 
outside the territorial waters of the United States, of which they have previously 
had to complain. 
The Undersigned is in consequence instructed formally to protest against such 
interference, and to declare that Her Britannic M: ujesty’s Government must hold the 
Government of the United States responsible for the consequences that may ensue 
from acts which are contrary to the established principles of international law. 
The Undersigned has the honour to renew to Mr. Blaine the assurances of his 
highest consideration. 
