APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 873 
the British Commissioners, who replied, on the 30th, in writing, that, 
in their opinion, the intention of the two Governments, as conveyed by 
Article 2 of the modus vivendi, was that, on the part of the United 
States Government, the stipulation would be strictly observed to limit 
the catch this season to 7,500 seals, and to stop the killing when that 
number had been taken. A copy of that letter is inclosed in the 
despatch of the British Commissioners. 
Nevertheless, Major Williams read the A greement otherwise, although 
it in no way conflicted with his previous instructions, but, on the con- 
trary, entirely confirmed them. 
The consequence of this proceeding on his part is given in detail in 
the reply of the United States Government to the complaint of Her 
Majesty’s Government. 
The numbers of seals killed are as follows: 
Bromplsu May boulOth June. sie sss eee ee lee ene eee eae jess Je 1, 651 
Hiromp it hetoRlo thy une. ae saatee., See eta naie pia Stns hath (LEN ein sincere ots 2, 920 
HromelpthuJunerto:2nd. July <2 ye. sae j2e tase eee and ea ck soe ae ceclen = lle cutee 4,471 
BILOMpon Gr ly oOMOChPATVOTIS tee ec essetce cee ea te eee rain Inert tenets omen 1, 796 
Permission stvenn 66 lil inad ditions 52s. S252 ass 2ae ses SY e e.s Codes 1, 233 
PD OPA Re Reset Atta eS Poet seat Dateien sta ete es, See ER Re cheat 12, 071 
The United States Government do not in terms deny that there has 
been a violation of the Agreement. They content themselves with 
transmitting the explanations of the Treasury Agent, and expressing 
the hope that they will convince Her Majesty’s Government that there 
has been no disposition on his part to violate the stipulations of the 
Agreement. i 
I have, &c. (Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
[Inclosure 1 in No. 147.] 
Sir J. Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine. 
NEWPORT, R.I., August 26, 1891. 
Sir: In accordance with instructions which I have received from the Marquis of 
Salisbury, I have the honour to inform you that the British Behring’s Sea Commis- 
sioners have reported, in a communication dated from the seal islands on the 5th 
August, that they tind that this year’s catch of seals already materially exceeds 
7,500, and that the United States Agent permits the killing of seals to continue, 
assuming that the limitation agreed upon commences from the date of the signature 
of the modus vivendi. 
In bringing this information to your notice, 1am at the same time instructed to 
express the conviction of Her Majesty’s Government that the President will not 
countenance any evasion of the true spirit of the Agreement, and that he will take 
whatever measures appear to him to be necessary to insure its strict observance. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
100 {Inclosure 2 in No. 147.] 
Mr. Wharton to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 10, 1891. 
Str: It is a source of regret that an answer has been so long delayed to your note 
of the 26th August last, relating to the communication of the British Behring’s Sea 
Commissioners as to the alleged killing of seals on the seal islands in excess of the 
number fixed by the Agreement of the 15th June last. This delay has been occa- 
sioned by the necessity of receiving from the United States Agent in charge of the 
islands a full Report on the subject. 
