EXHIBIT I.

Official Report of the Confiscation of the American Schooner C. H. White on the 3d (15th) July, 1892, in Bering Sea, on Board the Cruiser Zabiaka.

On the 3d (15th) July, at 10.30 p.m., being in 54° 30’ latitude north and 167° 15’ longitude east, bearing toward southeast 68, from the port cathead, at a distance of 2 miles, was sighted a sailing vessel without distinctive lights, which bore in the direction west of the southern extremity of the island of Medny. A blank shot fired from a 9-pounder, and approaching the schooner she was ordered to lay to, which injunction was at once obeyed. An armed rowboat was sent from the cruiser under command of Lieutenant Panferow, who having superficially examined the hold discovered a number of seal skins, and of five seals but recently killed. Lieutenant Panferow, remaining aboard the schooner, sent her captain with the log book and the ship’s papers aboard the cruiser, from which was learned the following:

1.
During the last two days the log was not kept.
2.
The schooner C. H. White, under the United States flag, belonging to John Prien, left San Francisco the 7th (19th) May, under command of Capt. L. M. Furman, with an European crew of ten men, among whom the said Captain Furman, his first mate, Andrew Roning, and the cook, Julius Furman, were remunerated according to the number of skins of seals killed. Besides the persons above mentioned, forming part of the crew and not on the ship’s roll, were four Aleouts speaking Russian. The captain with seven men were left aboard the cruiser. Lieutenant Panferow, being sent aboard the schooner, took the towline tendered by the cruiser and conducted the schooner into the roadstead of the village of Nikolsk on the Bering Island, where, after inspection by a commission composed of the ship’s executive officer, Second Lieutenant Arnaoutow, of the examiner, Lieutenant Bezkrovny, of first pilot officer. Lieutenant Lakhtine, and of Lieutenant Nasonow, it was shown that the schooner contained about 12 tons of salt, 15 seal skins, 5 seals newly killed, 23 guns of different systems, with cartridges, 10 tin boxes containing powder, a variety of groceries, manufactured articles, and various small objects made of iron. There was no opposition or resistance by the captain or crew.

The contents of the official report were communicated to the captain, who made no objections.

(Signed)
Lieutenant Nasonow.
Lieutenant Lakhtine.

Lieutenant Bezkrovny.

[l. s.]
Lieutenant Arnaoutow.
Captain of Frigate de Livron.
Andren Ronning.
L. M. Furman,
Master Schooner C. H. White.