Mr. Sherman to Mr. Adam.
Washington, August 28, 1897.
Sir: Referring to your note of the 30th of July last, relating to the sealing up by officers of the British patrol fleet of firearms and ammunition of British vessels engaged in sealing in Bering Sea, I have now the honor to inform you that a copy thereof was forwarded to the Secretary of the Treasury for his information and action.
In response to that note I have the pleasure of informing you that the Treasury Department has given notice to Captain Hooper, commanding the United States patrol fleet, of the intended action of the British officers respecting the sealing up of arms and ammunition, with instructions for Captain Hooper to exercise his good sense and judgment in giving to British sealing vessels searched the benefit which might properly come from the action of the officers of the British patrol fleet, although it is feared that the notice of the step taken by the British Government may reach Captain Hooper too late for the present sealing season.
I have, etc.,