EXHIBIT H.

(Copy.)

Your Excellency: I am instructed by my Government to present to the Imperial Government the claim of claus Lutjens, sometimes called Charles Lutjens, an American citizen, owner and master of the American schooner Kate and Anna.

[Page 278]

It appears that this vessel cleared from San Francisco March 1, 1892, bound for a hunting and fishing voyage to the North Pacific Ocean. That between the 1st day of March, 1894, and the 12th day of the same month, the captain and crew caught and killed, on the voyage and on the high seas, and not in Russian waters, 124 seals, worth $1,767, and that on the 12th of March, 1892, when in latitude 54° 9′ north, longitude 168° 21′ east, on a southwesterly course, more than 30 miles from Copper or Bering Islands, on the high seas and not engaged in fishing or hunting in Russian waters, this vessel was stopped by the Russian war cruiser Zabiaca. The captain was forced to go on board the cruiser, his seal skins were taken from him, and he was ordered to take his vessel back to San Francisco.

For this loss and interruption the claim of $10,000 is presented to the Imperial Government, and attention is called to a copy of the memorial of the claimant inclosed herewith.

Following the instructions of my Government, I have the the honor to request of your excellency that early attention be given to this matter.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

Clifton R. Breckinridge.

To His Excellency M. de Giers,
Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs, etc.

I certify that the document hereto annexed, namely, a note of the United States minister to Russia to the Russian minister for foreign affairs, dated St. Petersburg, November 9/21, 1894, is a true copy from the files of this embassy.

In witness whereof I, Herbert H. D. Peirce, chargé d’affaires of the United States, have hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the embassy of the United States.


[seal.]
Herbert H. D. Peirce.