Mr. Adee to Sir Julian Pauncefote .
Washington , May 26, 1891 .
Sir: In my personal note of the 20th instant and on several occasions in oral communication, I have had the honor to express the desire of the President to be informed at the earliest possible moment of the response of Her Majesty’s Government to the proposal, which formed the subject of Mr. Blaine’s note to you of the 4th instant, that seal-taking on the islands and in the waters of Behring Sea be limited, as in said note expressed, as to citizens of the United States and subjects of Great Britain, pending the arbitration of certain questions in controversy between the two Governments.
In several interviews with you since the 20th instant the desire of the President for an early response to the note of the 4th of May has been reaffirmed.
The situation evidently calls for prompt action. Each day’s delay increases the existing difference in the ability of the respective Governments to make the proposed limitation of seal-taking effective. It is reported that a large fleet of Canadian sealers has been for some weeks or months on the seas. They are daily going further out of reach. The [Page 558] revenue cruisers have awaited definite orders. Their presence is urgently needed in the Behring Sea. Any further delay tends to defeat the very purpose for which the agreement is sought. It is quite incompatible with fairness and justice to our citizens that this should be permitted to continue.
Ample opportunity has been afforded to Her Majesty’s Government to bring this condition to a close by an effective agreement; but the result is still uncertain and, to all appearances, remote. The President would be glad to know that it is near at hand and certain; but he can no longer hold back in furtherance of a vague hope, to the detriment of the legitimate interests of the Government and citizens of the United States.
I am therefore directed by the President to inform you that orders have been given to the revenue steamer Rush to proceed to the sealing islands.
Another revenue steamer, the Corwin, is at San Francisco, nearly ready to sail, and will very shortly put to sea. Should an agreement be reached before her departure, appropriate orders may still be sent by her to the islands. I mention this in order that you may comprehend how fully this Government desires to effect an arrangement for this season, and that you may realize how each day’s delay lessens the ability of Her Majesty’s Government to effectively cooperate with regard to British subjects and tends to destroy the practical utility of an agreement to limit the seal catch.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.