In the first group the number of fur-seals killed annually is much larger than in the second group.

Hunting is conducted on rational bases, i.e., that only such fur-seals are killed as are useful for commercial purposes, seals of a certain size, of the male sex, and at a time of year when the fur has the most commercial value. In addition, the hunting is regulated in such a way that the number of fur-seals which frequent the islands, far from diminishing, increases every year.

In the second group hunting is carried on under no system. Male and female fur-seals of every age are killed, without regard to the season of the year. In consequence of this destructive method, and the absence of protective laws, the complete disappearance of the fur-seals from these shores is to be apprehended. As a proof, it is stated that millions of fur-seals were found formerly in places in the second group where but a few thousands are killed now.

The period which followed the expiration of the Concession accorded to the RussoAmerican Company for hunting on the Pribyloff and Commander Islands clearly showed the injurious effect of unrestricted hunting on the development and multiplication of fur-seals. After the expiration of this Concession the islands became a prey to the first comer, and the following figures show the enormous increase in the number of fur-seals exterminated during these two years:

In 1867 the number of fur-seals killed on the Pribyloff Islands was 40,000; in 1868, 242,000; and in 1869, 87,000.

On the Commander Islands 4,000 fur-seals were killed in 1867; 12,000 in 1868; 21,000 in 1869; and 27,000 in 1870.

The complete extermination of the seal species was only prevented by the distance of these islands from inhabited countries, and the limited numbers of the local population.

To put an end to these abuses the United States' Government conceded, in 1870, to the Commercial Company of Alaska the right to fur-seal hunting on the Pribyloff Islands for twenty years.

The same Company, under a different name, obtained a similar authorization from the Russian Government to hunt fur-seals on the Commander and Seal Islands for the same period of twenty years from the 18th February, 1871.

It is thus seen that a private monopoly was conceded on the islands frequented by the fur-seals hardly three years after the expiration of that of the Russo-American Company.

This monopoly was recognized to be necessary by the two Governments in consequence of the conclusions of the Russian and American Commissions which were appointed for the purpose of examining the question of fur-seal hunting and the means of preserving these animals from complete destruction.

According to the terms of the Russian Contract, the number of seals which the Company has the right of killing is regulated every year by the local Russian authorities. Hunting can only be carried on by the inhabitants, except on Seal Island, where the Company can employ its own hunters, the island being uninhabited.

In exchange for each skin the Company must pay the natives a certain price as provided for in the Contract. The season of hunting is strictly limited.

What most hinders the increase of the fur-seals is the illicit hunting which takes place in the open sea, as well as on the Japanese Islands and sometimes on Seal Island after the departure of the Company's ship, which takes place generally about the middle of October. According to the Japanese Customs Reports, 3,400 fur-seal skins, which represent the produce of this kind of poaching, were imported into Japan in 1884, which amounts to 50 per cent. of all the seal-furs exported from Japan.

Till 1862 there was no law in this country prohibiting fur-seal hunting. In 1862 a Law was passed forbidding it, but without effect, as the islands were not sufficiently defended against the inroads of poachers.

In the autumn the fur-seals leave the land and make for the south of the Aleutian

Islands, where they stay for the rest of the year in the open sea. It is then that they are exposed to the attacks of ships equipped for the hunt which destroy them by every means, fire-arms, nets, harpoons, &c., without distinguishing males from females with young. Only a third of the animals killed in this way are utilized; the rest are lost without any profit. It is to these proceedings that the almost complete disappearance of fur-seals from the coasts of Chile and South Africa, as well as from the Falkland Islands, is to be attributed.

It is to be feared that the same fate is reserved for the islands of the Behring's Sea

Sir,

No. 138.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received July 26.)

Downing Street, July 25, 1888. WITH reference to previous correspondence respecting the seizure of British sealing-vessels in the Behring's Sea, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a despatch from the GovernorGeneral of Canada, with its inclosures, relating to the circumstances in which the schooner "W. P. Sayward" was released under bond at Sitka.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

JOHN BRAMSTON..

Inclosure 1 in No. 138.

Lord Stanley of Preston to Lord Knutsford.

My Lord, Cascapedia River, New Richmond, June 25, 1888. WITH reference to previous correspondence upon the subject, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of an approved Minute of the Privy Council of Canada submitting a copy of a letter from the attorney of Captain J. D. Warren with reference to the circumstances under which the seized sealing-schooner "W. P. Sayward" was released under bond at Sitka.

Report of a Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by his Excellency the Governor-General in Council on the 21st June, 1888.

ON a Memorandum dated the 9th June, 1888, from the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, submitting the accompanying letter from the attorney of Mr. J. D. Warren with reference to the circumstances under which the seized sealing-schooner " W. P. Sayward" was released under bond at Sitka, and recommending that the same be forwarded to the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies for the information of Her Majesty's Government.

The Committee advise that your Excellency be moved to forward a copy hereof to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. All which is respectfully submitted.

Dear Sir,

Ottawa, Ontario, May 23, 1888. I AM in receipt of a letter from Captain J. D. Warren, of Victoria, British Columbia, under date the 15th instant, in which he informs me of the circumstances under which the seized sealing-schooner "W. P. Sayward" was released under bond. He had gone to Sitka to secure, if possible, the release of all the schooners seized in 1887, viz. the "Grace," "Dolphin," "Anna Beck," "W. P. Sayward," and "Ada." The bond on release was conditioned on prosecuting an appeal from the Alaska District Court to the Supreme Court of the United States. The formal motion thus became one "for leave to perfect an appeal," and such motion for each of the vessels was made on the 14th April last before Judge Dawson at Sitka, and in every case refused, on the grounds that the time for allowing an appeal had expired. Captain Warren's counsel then applied for a record of the order refusing leave to appeal. This was on Saturday.

On Monday following, the 16th April, without any application therefor by the defendant or any one on his behalf, Judge Dawson offered to rescind the order of Saturday in the case of the "W. P. Sayward," and release her to her owners.

She was

then lying at Puget's Sound. under an order for sale on that day, the offer was accepted (contrary, as Captain Warren says, to the expectations of the United States' authorities. at Sitka), and the order of the previous Saturday rescinded and leave granted to appeal.

I am not informed as to the amount of the bond.

The United States' Marshal at Sitka has been ordered to take remaining schooners, viz., the "Grace," "Dolphin," "Anna Beck," and "Ada," to Puget's Sound for immediate sale.

The schooners "Thornton," "Onward," and "Carolena," seized in 1886 and left at Ounalaska, have been, as you are aware, offered to the owners as they now are. All three are high up on the beach and practically worthless. The United States' authorities sold everything in and on these vessels that would bring a dollar, and then attempted to contract the taking of the hulls to San Francisco to be there sold.

Finding this would cost more than the damaged hulls would sell for, they offered to give the vessels up to their owners, and had an order to that effect issued.

Captain Warren says it is out of the question to go to Ounalaska for these

vessels.

I may add that the "Sayward" is now in possession of her owners.

Mr. Phelps to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received July 30.)

My Lord, Legation of the United States, London, July 28, 1888. I BEG to recall your Lordship's attention to the subject of the proposed Convention between the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, and Russia for the protection of the seal fisheries in Behring's Sea. A considerable time has now elapsed since the last conversation I had the honour to have with your Lordship in regard to it, when it was mutually believed that an early agreement might be arrived at.

I am sure your Lordship will concur with me in conceiving it to be for the interest of all parties that a conclusion should be reached as soon as possible. And my Government instructs me respectfully to urge upon Her Majesty's Government the propriety, under existing circumstances, of immediate action.

I understand the Russian Government to be prepared to concur in the proposed Convention as soon as the other Governments concerned are ready to assent to it.

No. 140.

I have, &c.

Sir,

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received August 1.)

Downing Street, August 1, 1888.

I AM directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, a telegram received from the Governor-General of Canada respecting the proposed sale by the United States' authorities of the sealing-vessesl "Anna Beck," Dolphin," "Grace," and "Ada," seized last year in Behring's Sea.

Lord Salisbury will observe that the Government of Canada urge that the United States' Government may be requested by Her Majesty's Government to postpone the sale of the condemned vessels pending the settlement of the question as to the legality of their seizure.

Lord Knutsford trusts that Lord Salisbury will, as soon as practicable, make such communication as may be proper to the United States' Government with a view to give effect to the wishes of the Dominion Government. It will be seen that the matter is urgent.

I am, &c.

(Telegraphic.)

Inclosure in No. 140.

Lord Stanley of Preston to Lord Knutsford.

July 30, 1888. THE sealing-schooners "Anna Beck," "Dolphin," "Grace," and "Ada," which were seized in 1887 in the Behring's Sea, are now being removed to Port Townsend, Puget Sound, from Sitka, in order to be sold by the United States' Marshal of Alaska. The Judge of the District Court of Alaska has declined to permit the owners to bond the vessels, giving as a reason that their application is too late. My Ministers recommend that the Imperial Government be moved to ask for the interposition of the United States' Government for a postponement of the sale of the condemned vessels pending the settlement of the question concerning the legality of their seizure. Pray obtain this if possible. On account of time the question is urgent.

Sir,

No. 141.

The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir L. West.-(Substance telegraphed.)

Foreign Office, August 2, 1888.

THE Governor-General of Canada has informed the Secretary of State for the Colonies, by telegraph, that the sealing-vessels "Anna Beck," "Dolphin," "Grace," and "Ada," which were seized last year in Behring's Sea by the United States' authorities, are now being taken to Port Townsend for sale by the United States' Marshal of Alaska, and that the Judge of the Alaska District Court has refused to allow the owners to bond their vessels, giving as his reason that the application for permission to do so was made too late.

I have to request you to ask the United States' Government to postpone the sale of these vessels until the question as to the legality of their seizure has been settled.

No. 142.

I am, &c.

Sir,

The Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Phelps.

Foreign Office, August 2, 1888.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo, calling attention to the question of the proposed Convention between this country, the United States, and Russia for the protection of the seal fisheries in Behring's Sea, and I beg leave to say that I hope shortly to be able to address to you a further communication on the subject.

Sir,

Foreign Office to Colonial Office.

Foreign Office, August 2, 1888. REFERRING to your letter of the 15th June last, inclosing copies of a telegraphic correspondence with the Governor-General of Canada in regard to the question of the proposed International Convention for the protection of the fur-bearing seals in Behring's Sea, I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Phelps,* in which, by direction of his Government, he urges the propriety of reaching a conclusion on the subject.

I am to request that, in laying this letter before Secretary Lord Knutsford, you will move him to give as early a consideration as possible to Mr. Phelps' communication.

I am, &c. (Signed)

JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE.

No. 139.

Sir,

No. 144.

Foreign Office to Colonial Office.

Foreign Office, August 3, 1888.

I LAID before the Marquis of Salisbury your letter of the 1st instant, inclosing a telegram from the Governor-General of Canada reporting the intention of the United States' authorities to sell the sealing-vessels " Anna Beck," "Dolphin," "Grace," and "Ada," seized last year in Behring's Sea.

I am directed by his Lordship to state that, in accordance with Lord Knutsford's desire, Her Majesty's Minister at Washington was instructed by telegraph on the 2nd instant to ask the United States' Government to postpone the sale of these vessels pending a settlement of the question as to the legality of the seizure.

I am, &c.

Sir,

No. 145.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—(Received August 10.)

Downing Street, August 10, 1888. IN reply to your letter of the 2nd instant, forwarding a note from the American Minister at this Court urging the early consideration of the question of establishing a close time for seals in Behring's Sea, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquis of Salisbury, copy of telegraphic correspondence with the Governor-General of Canada on the subject.

The Report referred to in the telegram from Lord Stanley of Preston will probably be received on the 14th instant, and will be communicated to you without delay.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

Inclosure 1 in No. 145.

Lord Knutsford to Lord Stanley of Preston.

(Telegraphic.)

Downing Street, August 8, 1888. UNITED STATES' Government pressing for early reply question of close time Behring's Sea. When may Report be expected from your Ministers?

(Telegraphic.)

Inclosure 2 in No. 145.

Lord Stanley of Preston to Lord Knutsford.

August 9, 1888.

I SENT last Monday Report asked for in your Lordship's telegram 8th August.

No. 146.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received August 10.)

Sir, Downing Street, August 10, 1888. WITH reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquis of Salisbury, copies of further telegraphic correspondence with the Governor-General of Canada respecting the sale of the vessels seized in Behring's Sea last year, and now lying at Port Townsend.