Mr. Edwardes to Mr. Blaine.

Sir: In accordance with instructions which I have received from Her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, I have the honor to state to you that repeated rumors have of late reached Her Majesty’s Government that United States cruisers have stopped, searched, and even seized British vessels in Behring Sea outside of the 3-mile limit from the nearest land. Although no official confirmation of these rumors has reached Her Majesty’s Government, there appears to be no reason to doubt their authenticity.

I am desired by the Marquis of Salisbury to inquire whether the United States Government are in possession of similar information, and, further, to ask that stringent instructions may be sent by the United States Government at the earliest moment to their officers, with the view to prevent the possibility of such occurrences taking place.

In continuation of my instructions, I have the honor to remind you that Her Majesty’s Government received very clear assurances last year from Mr. Bayard, at that time Secretary of State, that, pending the discussion of the general questions at issue, no further interference should take place with British vessels in Behring Sea.

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In conclusion, the Marquis of Salisbury desires me to say that Sir Julian Pauncefote, Her Majesty’s minister, will be prepared on his return to Washington in the autumn to discuss the whole question, and Her Majesty’s Government wish to point out to the United States Government that a settlement can not but be hindered by any measures of force which may be resorted to by the United States.

I have, etc.,

H. G. Edwardes.