This Government would be pleased to receive in exchange copies of such
instructions as may be issued by Her Britannic Majesty’s Government on
the same subject.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Tracy to
Commander Evans.
Navy Department,
Washington, April 25,
1892.
Sir: In pursuance of a convention between
the United States and Great Britain, dated April 18, 1892, for a modus vivendi respecting the taking of seal
in Behring Sea, you will cause the vessels under your command to
warn all American and British vessels they meet outside of Behring
Sea not to enter the prohibited waters of that
[Page 639]
sea for the purpose of sealing, and
you will deposit on hoard of each vessel so warned a copy of the
convention, of the President’s proclamation, dated February 15,
1892, of the British seal fishery (Behring Sea) act, 1891, and of
these instructions. Entry of notice and warning will be made upon
the register of all vessels notified.
Any vessel found to be, or to have been, employed in sealing within
the prohibited waters of Behring Sea, whether with or without
warning, and any vessel found therein, whether warned or not, having
on board implements for taking seal or seal skins or bodies of seals
will be seized.
The prohibited waters include that part of Behring Sea east of the
line of demarcation marked upon Hydrographic Office chart No.
68.
The commanding officer of the vessel making the seizure will, at the
time thereof, draw up a declaration in writing, stating the
condition of the seized vessel, place and date of seizure, giving
latitude and longitude and circumstances showing guilt. The seized
vessel will be brought or sent in charge of a sufficient force to
insure delivery, together with witnesses and proofs and the
declaration of the officer making the seizure, if American, to
Sitka, and there delivered to the officer of the United States
district court at that place; and, if British, to Unalaska, and
there delivered to the senior British naval officer in Behring Sea.
The master of the seized vessel, her mate or boatswain, and such
portion of her crew as can conveniently be carried therein, will be
sent as prisoners with the vessel to suffer the penalty of the
law.
A signed and certified list of the papers of the seized vessel will
be delivered to the master thereof, and a duplicate copy will be
transmitted with the declaration.
Very respectfully,
B. F. Tracy,
Secretary of the Navy.
