No. 265.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Hoffman.

No. 120.]

Sir: I inclose copies of letters from the Treasury, and a copy of a letter from Messrs. Lynde & Hough, of San Francisco, to the Secretary of the Treasury, touching the Pacific coast fisheries. This latter communication states that according to late news “foreign vessels must receive an order from the governor of Siberia, besides paying duties of $10 per ton on all fish caught in Russian waters,” which they say would [Page 448] be ruinous to their business. In view of the above, I have to ask that you will make immediate inquiry on this subject, and report the facts. If a brief telegram will furnish information of value to our fishermen in this regard, you can send one.

I am, &c.,

FRED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 120.]

Mr. Folger to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d ultimo, transmitting a copy of a dispatch of the 21st of November last from the minister of the United States at Tokei, Japan, with its inclosure, relative to the notice given by the Russian consul at Yokohama in reference to the licensing of foreign vessels trading, hunting, or fishing on the Asiatic coast of Russia.

I have to inform you that this department has issued circular instructions to collectors of customs, and others, at every port throughout the country to which the Russian consul’s notice is subjoined, dated January 30, 1882, and I inclose herewith six copies of the circular.

Very respectfully,

CHAS. J. FOLGER.
[Circular.]

Permit required for hunting, trading, and fishing on Russian coasts of the Okhotsk and Behring Seas.

To collectors of customs and others:

The subjoined notice by the Russian consul at Yokohama, that American vessels, are not allowed, without a special permit or license from the governor-general of Eastern Siberia, “to carry on hunting, trading, fishing, &c., on the Russian coasts, or islands in the Okhotsk or Behring Seas, or on the northeastern coast of Asia, or within the sea-boundary line,” is published by the department for the information of American shipmasters interested.

It will be observed that the Russian order took effect on January 1, 1882.

CHAS. J. FOLGER
,
Secretary.

notice.

At the request of the local authorities of Behring and other islands, the undersigned hereby notifies that the Russian Imperial Government publishes, for general knowledge, the following:

I.
Without a special permit or license from the governor-general of Eastern Siberia, foreign vessels are not allowed to carry on trading, hunting, fishing, &c., on the Russian coast or islands in the Okhotsk and Behring Seas, or on the northeastern coast of Asia, or within their sea-boundary line.
II.
For such permits or licenses, foreign vessels should apply to Vladivostok, exclusively.
III.
In the port of Petropaulovsk, though being the only port of entry in Kamtschatka, such permits or licenses shall not be issued.
IV.
No permits or licenses whatever shall be issued for hunting, fishing, or trading; at or on the Commodore and Robben Islands.
V.
Foreign vessels found trading, fishing, hunting, &c., in Russian waters without a license or permit from the governor-general, and also those possessing a license or permit who may infringe the existing by-laws on hunting, shall be confiscated, both vessels and cargoes, for the benefit of the government. This enactment shall be enforced henceforth, commencing with A. D. 1882.
VI.
The enforcement of the above will be intrusted to Russian men-of-war, and also to Russian merchant-vessels, which, for that purpose, will carry military detachments and be provided with proper instructions.

A. PELIKAN,
H. I. R. M. Consul.

[Page 449]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 120.]

Mr. Folger to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for such action in the case as you may deem proper, a letter from Messrs. Lynde & Hough, of San Francisco, Cal., stating that they are extensively engaged in the Pacific coast cod fisheries, and that they will fit out their vessels, to sail about the 1st of May next, in that enterprise, in which they have never been molested; but they now learn that foreign vessels must receive an order from the governor of Siberia, besides pay a duty of $10 per ton on all fish caught in Russian waters, which, if sustained, will be ruinous.

Very respectfully,

CHAS. J. FOLGER,
Secretary.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 120.]

Messrs. Lynde & Hough to Mr. Folger.

Sir: You will please pardon us for this seeming intrusion, but the matter we now seek your aid and kind assistance is of great import to us.

We are now and have been extensively engaged in the Pacific coast cod fisheries, and, in fact, are among the very few fifteen years ago who started in a small way, believing with energy and fair dealing we could work up an enterprise that would be a benefit to the coast. Our ideas were correct. We have been yearly sending vessels to the coast of Kamtschatka (sea of Okhotsk) for fish. We never have been molested in Russian waters from catching codfish or procuring bait, which are small salmon in the rivers, or filling fresh water for use of ship, but it appears now there is a law which has never been enforced against foreigners, the same we have recently noted, and which we have been apprised of, and the substance is that foreign vessels must receive an order from the governor of Siberia, besides must pay a duty of $10 per ton on all fish caught in Russian waters. This decree, if sustained, is ruinous to one of the best and rising industries of the coast, and as we fit our vessels to sail about 1st of May, leaves us but little chance to arrange matters this season save with your kind assistance in the matter. Our business is fishing entirely. We use no trade with natives, having nothing to do with the taking or purchasing of furs. At this time we are placed in a very bad predicament. Trusting that you can relieve us from this embarrassment, and receive an early reply on the subject.

We are, &c.,

LYNDE & HOUGH.

P. S.—Our vessels fish from ten to twenty miles from shore.