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No. 81.

Sir L. West to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received November 14.)

My Lord, Washington, October 23, 1887. WITH reference to my despatch of the 20th instant, in which I had the honour to inclose copy of the note which, according to instructions, I addressed to the United States' Government on the subject of the seizure of the "Alfred Adams in Behring's Sea, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of Mr. Bayard's reply, in which he acknowledges the receipt of my above-mentioned communication.

Sir,

I have, &c. (Signed)

Inclosure in No. 81.

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L. S. SACKVILLE WEST.

Mr. Bayard to Sir L. West.

Department of State, Washington, October 22, 1887.

I HAD the honour to receive last evening your note of the 19th instant, conveying the instructions addressed to you by the Marquis of Salisbury, that you should protest against the seizure of the Canadian vessel "Alfred Adams" in Behring's Sea, and against the continuance of similar proceedings by the United States' authorities on the high seas, and I have, &c.

No. 82.

(Signed)

T. F. BAYARD.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received November 21.)

Sir, Downing Street, November 19, 1887. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by Secretary Sir Henry Holland to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, forwarding a Minute of the Executive Council of British Columbia respecting the value to that province of the sealing industry on Behring's Sea.

I am to ask what answer should be returned to Lord Lansdowne, and to suggest that copies of these papers should be forwarded to Her Majesty's Minister at Washington.

I am, &c.

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Sir,

Inclosure 1 in No. 82.

The Marquis of Lansdowne to Sir H. Holland.

Government House, Ottawa, October 20, 1887. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you a copy of an approved Report of a Committee of the Privy Council, to which is appended a copy of a despatch from his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, covering a Minute of his Executive Council setting forth the value to British Columbia of the present sealing industry in Behring's Sea.

You will observe that the Executive Council of British Columbia consider that the rights of British subjects, as regards the Behring's Sea, should be included in the scope of the duties of the International Fisheries Commission.

I have, &c. (Signed)

LANSDOWNE.

Inclosure 2 in No. 82.

Report of a Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council for Canada, approved by his
Excellency the Governor-General in Council on the 15th October, 1887.

THE Committee of the Privy Council have had under consideration a despatch, dated 15th September, 1887, from the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, covering a Minute of his Executive Council setting forth the value to British Columbia of the present sealing industry in Behring's Sea, together with the opinion of the Executive that the rights of British subjects should have the same protection and consideration on the Pacific as on the Atlantic, and that these rights as regards the Behring's Sea should be included in the scope of the duties of the International Commission in process of organization.

The Minister of Marine and Fisheries, to whom the despatch and inclosures were referred, recommends that a copy of the despatch referred to, with its inclosures, be transmitted to Her Majesty's Government.

The Committee advise that your Excellency be moved to transmit a copy of the papers herein mentioned to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, for the information of Her Majesty's Government. All which is respectfully submitted.

(Signed)

JOHN J. McGEE, Clerk,

Privy Council for Canada.

Sir,

Inclosure 3 in No. 82.

Lieutenant-Governor Nelson to the Secretary of State, Ottawa.

Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, September 15, 1887.

I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a Minute of my Executive Council, approved by me on the 9th instant, representing the value to the Province of British Columbia of the present sealing industry in Behring's Sea, the number of vessels, men, &c., engaged in the same, the loss to the province certain to ensue from the destruction of this trade by the seizures and confiscations made by the United States' cruizers.

That the rights of British subjects should have the same protection and consideration on the Pacific as on the Atlantic, and that full compensation and redress for injuries already received, and assurances of future non-interference, should be obtained from the United States' Government.

That this question should be included in the scope of the duties of the International Fishery Commission now understood to be in process of organization, and that it is desirable said Commission should hold some of its sittings in Victoria, for reasons therein set forth, &c.

I have, &c. (Signed)

HUGH NELSON.

Inclosure 4 in No. 82.

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Report of a Committee of the Honourable the Executive Council, approved by his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor on the 9th September, 1887.

ON a Memorandum from the Honourable the Minister of Finance and Agriculture, dated the 6th September, 1887, setting forth

That there are usually engaged in seal-fishing in Behring's Sea seventeen vessels wholly owned by people residing in this city, of the aggregate value of 125,000 dollars; That the outfit for each semi-annual voyage of these vessels represents an expen

diture of 75,000 dollars, equal to 150,000 dollars a-year;

That each of these vessels, on an average, employs a crew of five whites and about twenty Indians, or fifteen to eighteen whites as hunters;

That the probable aggregate value of the product of each voyage is 200,000 dollars, or 400,000 dollars a-year;

That this industry, though as yet only in its infancy, is a very important one for so small a community;

That the glaring and unlawful seizures and confiscations in Behring's Sea during last season and the present year are completely crushing out this infant industry, and causing ruin, and, in several known instances, actual distress, to those who have invested their all in the business and relied upon it for a livelihood;

That the destruction of this industry not only entails ruin and distress upon those directly engaged therein, but it affects most injuriously the trade of the province, and drives from these waters a race of hardy and adventurous fishermen, who, with their families, are large consumers, and who would in time become a very important element of strength, if not the nucleus of the future navy of Canada on the Pacific.

That the rights and interests of British subjects, whether in fisheries or commerce, are entitled to the same consideration and protection on the Pacific as on the Atlantic, and that it is therefore the duty of the Dominion Government to employ every proper means for obtaining immediate and full compensation and redress for past injuries and wrongs, as well as to guard against the possibility of a repetition of these high-handed outrages in the future;

That it is believed to be desirable that this question should be included in the scope of the duties of the International Commission now understood to be in process of organization for the settlement of the fishery disputes existing between Canada and the United States of America; and it is considered most important that the said Commission should hold one or more of its sittings in this city, in order that those more directly acquainted with and interested in the Pacific fisheries may have a better opportunity of being heard and making the Commissioners more thoroughly acquainted with the subject than would otherwise be possible :

The Committee advise approval, and that a copy of this Minute be forwarded to the Honourable the Secretary of State for Canada [sic].

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The Marquis of Salisbury to the British Plenipotentiaries at the Fisheries Conference. (Substance telegraphed.)

Gentlemen,

Foreign Office, November 28, 1887.

I RECEIVED on the 26th instant a telegram from Mr. Chamberlain, inquiring whether a proposal for an International Conference in regard to the Behring's Sea fisheries had been accepted by Her Majesty's Government.

You are aware, from the correspondence which is in your possession, that communications with reference to a proposal which would appear to have been addressed to some of the Maritime Powers by the United States for an International Convention for the protection of seals in the Behring's Sea, were received last October from the German and Swedish Chargés d'Affaires in London.

No definite invitation, however, for an international understanding on this question has yet been received from the Government of the United States by Her Majesty's Government.

In answer to a question from Mr. Phelps, I have expressed myself as being favourably disposed to negotiating for an agreement as to a close season in all seal fisheries, to whomsoever belonging, but I carefully separated the question from all controversies as to fishery rights.

I am, &c.

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No. 84.

The Marquis of Salisbury to the British Commissioners to the Fisheries Conference.

Gentlemen,

Foreign Office, November 29, 1887. I TRANSMIT herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office,* and its inclosures, calling attention to the value to British Columbia of the present sealing industry in Behring's Sea.

The Executive Council of the Colony express a desire that this question should be included in the scope of the duties of the Fisheries Conference now sitting at Washington.

A copy of the reply which has been returned to the Colonial Office is also inclosed herewith.+

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Foreign Office, November 29, 1887.

Sir, I AM directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, with its inclosures, showing the value to British Columbia of the present sealing industry in Behring's Sea.

His Lordship notes the opinion expressed in the Minute of the Executive Council of the Colony that this question should be included in the scope of the duties of the Fisheries Conference now sitting at Washington.

I am now to request that, in laying this letter before Secretary Sir H. Holland, you will state to him that copies of Lord Lansdowne's despatch of the 20th ultimo, and of its inclosures, will be forwarded to the British Plenipotentiaries at the Conference.

I am also to call attention to the instructions in regard to this subject contained in Lord Salisbury's despatch of the 24th ultimo to the British Plenipotentiaries.‡

It was then stated that "the question of the seal fisheries in the Behring's Sea has not been specifically included in the terms of reference; but you will understand that if the United States' Plenipotentiaries should be authorized to discuss that subject, it would come within the terms of the reference, and that you have full power and authority to treat for a settlement of the points involved in any manner which you may deem advisable, whether by a direct discussion at the present Conference or by a reference to a subsequent Conference to adjust that particular question."

Lord Salisbury would suggest, for Sir H. Holland's consideration, that the substance of these instructions should be communicated to the Governor-General of Canada.

I am, &c. (Signed)

JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE.

No. 86.

Mr. J. Chamberlain, M.P., to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received December 12.)

My Lord,

Washington, November 28, 1887.

I HAVE received your Lordship's telegram of this day's date, in reply to mine of the 25th instant.

In explanation of the circumstances which led me to address to your Lordship the inquiry contained in my telegram, I should state that Mr. Angell, one of the United States' Plenipotentiaries at the Fishery Conference, stated to me, in the course of a private and confidential conversation, that an invitation had been conveyed to your Lordship, on behalf of the United States, to take part in an International Conference for the protection

of the seal fisheries in the Behring's Sea, and that your Lordship had cordially accepted this invitation.

I may add that the question of the seal fishery in the Behring's Sea has not yet arisen for discussion at the sittings of the Conference.

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I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, forwarding revised claims made by the owners of the "Thornton" and "Carolina" for losses sustained on account of the seizure of these vessels by a United States' Revenue vessel in Behring's Sea.

The revised claim of the owners of the "Onward," the other vessel seized in 1886' has not yet been received, but Lord Salisbury will know whether it will be advisable to wait for it before putting forward the "Thornton" and "Carolina " claims.

I am to request that the inclosures in Lord Landowne's despatch, which are sent in original, may be returned when done with.

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Sir,

Inclosure 1 in No. 87.

The Marquis of Lansdowne to Sir H. Holland.

Government House, Ottawa, December 2, 1857. WITH reference to your despatch of the 14th September last on the subject of the seizure of British sealing-vessels in Behring's Sea by United States' Revenue cruizers, and directing attention to the magnitude of the claims for compensation preferred by the owners against the United States' Government, I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of an approved Report of a Committee of the Privy Council, submitting a revised Statement of the losses sustained in the cases of the "Thornton " and "Carolina." My Minister of Marine and Fisheries considers that the claims now made are not unreasonable.

You will observe that whereas the amount at first claimed in respect of the seizure of these two vessels was 102,223 dollars, the amount now claimed is 71,130 dol. 66 c. In the case of the "Onward," the third vessel seized, the claim has not yet been returned by the owners.

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Certified Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council for Canada, approved by his Excellency the Governor-General in Council on the 29th November, 1887.

THE Committee of the Privy Council have had under consideration a despatch, dated the 14th September, 1887, from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of the seizure of British scaling-vessels in Behring's Sea by United States' Revenue cruizers, and directing attention to certain claims for compensation against the United States' Government.

The Minister of Marine and Fisheries, to whom the despatch and inclosures were referred, stated that the claims (three in number) referred to in this despatch were

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