APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 845 
The Minister submits that whatever significance Mr. Hawkins’ statement may 
have upon the abstract question of the protection of seal life in the Pacific waters, 
it can have but little, if any, on the controversy between Great britain and 
76 the United States, as the evil complained of, even if as great as alleged, occurs 
outside the disputed area, as he himself implies in his reference to the “ north- 
west coast skins.” 
‘The Committee, on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, 
advise that your Excellency be moved to forward a copy of this Minute to the Right 
Honourable the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, for the information of 
Her Majesty’s Government. 
All whieh is respectfully submitted for your Excellency’s approval. 
(Signed) JOHN J. MCGEE, 
Clerk, Privy Council. 
No. 12 
The Behring’s Sea Commissioners to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received 
August 3.) 
STEAM-SHIP “ DANUBE,” AT VICTORIA, Ee aicn COLUMBIA, 
July 16, 1891, 
My Lorpb: We have the honour to report that we met at Ottawa on 
the 6th instant, and on the same evening consulted with the Premier 
of Canada, Mr. Abbott, and the Minister of Marine, Mr. Tupper, on the 
subject of our mission. 
The Governor-General was absent from Ottawa, but kindly placed 
Government House at our disposal. 
We spent the 7th, 8th, and 9th July in Ottawa in consultation with 
Ministers and in collecting information and evidence. 
On the evening of the 9th instant we left Ottawa by-train direct for 
Vancouver, where we arrived on the loth instant, and found the char- 
tered steam-ship ‘ Danube” awaiting us at the wharf according to our 
instructions. 
Admiral Hotham, C. B., had crossed from Esquimalt to meet us, and 
informed us as to the very complete arrangements he had made for Her 
Majesty’s ships in Behring’s Sea to assist. us in every way. 
Shortly after our arrival a deputation, headed by Mr. Oppenheimer, 
Mayor of Vancouver, waited upon us on behalf of the sealing-vessel 
owners in the city, with whom we had a most satisfactory conference. 
We left Vancouver at 6 P. M., and arrived at Victoria this day at 1 
A.M. At 10 A. M. we received, as by previous arrangement, an impor- 
tant deputation of the Board of Trade and Sealers’ Association, who 
gave us most valuable information, and willingly promised to procure 
more on certain points pending our return. We have also consulted 
other authorities in Victoria, and completed the equipment of the 
* Danube.” 
We leave the port this evening bound for the Pribyloff Islands. 
We have, We. 
(Signed) GEORGE BADEN-POWELL. 
GEORGE M. DAWSON. 
