700 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
No. 16. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received May 26, 10.15 
a. M.) 
[‘Lelegraphic.] 
WASHINGTON, May 25, 1891. 
I received a visit to-day from the Acting Secretary of State, who 
came, by desire of the President, to express his deep concern that no 
reply to Mr. Blaine’s proposal had been received from Her Majesty’s 
Government. By each day’s delay more detriment was caused to the 
United Statesinterests. Owing tothe unprotected state of the islands, 
and to their being unprovided with rations and stores, the United 
States Government are unable any longer to detain their cruizers or the 
vessels of the Company. 
I begged him to assure the President, in reply, that all possible expe- 
dition was being used by your Lordship; but the form of Mr. Blaine’s 
proposal, as well as the lateness of the time when it was made, had 
given rise to grave difficulties, some of which I explained to him. I 
told him that I hoped in a day or two to receive the reply, but that I 
would telegraph the substance of his communication to your Lordship. 
11 INO, 17. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received May 27,8 p.m.) 
{ Telegraphic. ] 
WASHINGTON, May 27, 1891. 
The Acting Secretary of State has just written me a aves to the 
same effect as his verbal communication which I reported in my tele- 
gram of the 25th May. 
He adds, however, that the United States Government have found it 
necessary to dispatch the revenue-steamer “ Rush” to the islands, and 
that the “Corwin” is nearly ready to sail at San Francisco, and will 
very shortly put to sea. 
Should an agreement, as proposed, be arrived at before her departure 
to limit the seal catch, she can still take appropriate orders. 
No. 18. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
{Telegraphic.] 
FOREIGN OFFICE, May 28, 1891. 
Thave to inform you that to-night notice will be given of a Bill giving 
power to Her Majesty to prohibit for a limited time the hunting of seals 
in Behring’s Sea. 
Itis hoped that the House of Commons will sanction this Bill within 
a few days, but until this has been done it is impossible for Her Maj- 
