Foreign Relations of the United States, 1902, Whaling and Sealing Claims Against Russia, On Account of Arrest and Seizure of the American Vessels “Cape Horn Pigeon,” “James Hamilton Lewis,” “C. H. White,” and “Kate and Anna,” Appendix I

EXHIBIT T.

[In the matter of the seizure of the schooner C. H. White by the Russian Government.]

State of California, City and County of San Francisco, ss:

On this 20th day of November, 1900, before me, William T. Hess, a notary public in and for said city and county of San Francisco, State of California, duly commissioned and authorized by law to administer oaths in the said city, county, and State, and not interested in anywise in said claim, and not being the agent or attorney of any person interested in said claim, personally appeared Johan H. C. Prien, known to me to be a credible witness, and being first duly sworn, deposes and says:

I am the president of the Eagle Fishing Company, which said company owned the C. H. White in 1892, when she was seized by the Russian war cruiser Zabiaca, all of which will more fully appear by the memorial of said company on file herein.

The damage to said company for the loss of said vessel is placed by the said company in said memorial at the sum of $100,000, and is itemized as follows: Value of schooner C. H. White and outfit, $35,000; value of 20 sealskins which were seized, $280; value of 8 barrels of mackerel seized, $160; value of 1 ton of codfish seized, $260; value of probable catch of codfish and mackerel after the seizure of the vessel, $10,300; and probable value of catch of seals during the remainder of the sealing season, about $54,000; and I further say that the said sum of $100,000 will not reimburse said company fully for the seizure and loss of said vessel C. H. White.

I further state that said vessel C. H. White carried 7 hunting boats and a full equipment of hunters and sealers to man said boats.

Johan H. C. Prien.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20th day of November, 1900.

W. T. Hess,
Notary Public in and for the City and County of San Francisco, State of California.

[Seal of notary.]

State of California, City and County of San Francisco, ss:

I, Wm. A. Deane, county clerk of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, and ex officio clerk of the superior court thereof (which court is a court of record, having a seal), do hereby certify that W. T. Hess, whose name is subscribed to the annexed instrument and thereon written, and before whom the annexed oath or affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking such oath or affidavit a notary public in and for the city and county of San Francisco, residing in said city and county, duly authorized to take the same, and an officer duly authorized by the laws of said State to take and certify the acknowledgment and proof of deeds to be recorded in said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such officer, and verily believe that the signature to such jurat or certificate is genuine.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said superior court, at my office in said city and county, the 23d day of November, A. D. 1900.

Wm. A. Deane, Clerk.

[Seal of the superior court.]

(10-cent stamp.)

11/23/1900.

W. A. D.