The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-21 00:00:00

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TRADE WITH THE NORTH-WEST COAST UP
AMERICA.

IMPERIAL 1-K.ltiC.
•
ST. PETERSUURGII, SECT. 4, 1821.
Considering that it appears from the reports which have been
submitted to us, that the commercial relationi of our subjects with
the Aleutian isles, and in the Russian estahlishuients on the North
West Coasts of America, are exposed to all sorts of disadvantages
1111ilitIfiliell• by the smuggling practices there carried on ; con-
• vaareaver, that the principal cause of these inconveniences
ado, itt defective arrangement of the limits of the naviga-
Ma airs abase shores, and the want of fixed forms for the govern-
mast ar asmasnercial relations, as well at the said places as on the
at shore of Siberia, we have judged it necessary to determine
Awe relations by the following Decree :-
11. It is permitted to the subjects of Russia alone to engage In
the commerce, the whale and other fisheries, and in every branch
d industry whatever, carried on in the isles, ports, gulfs, and,
gilirindlt, along the North-west coast of America, to commence
at Plehnnes Straits, and extending to 51. N. latitude, as well
as along the Aleutian Islands, and on the Eastern shore of
Siberia and the Kurile Islands ; that is, from Bchring's Straits
to the South Cape of the Isle of Ourop, namely, note 41. 61. N.
kbwatte.

2. It is, in convquence, forbidden to all foreign vessels to land at
the Russian establishments above designated, or to approach within
the distance of one hundred Italian miles of the same. All ships
contravening this order shall forfeit their cargoes.
3. Vessels are excepted from the above, who, by storms or
feature of provisions, are obliged to seek the coast. In these two
cases they will be considered justified in approaching. Vessels
went by friendly Powers on voyages of discovery, are likewise ex-
cepted from the general rule, under the restrictiors of being fur-
:oohed with passports by the Russian Minister of 3larine.
4. Foreign merchant vessels who approach the shores, for the
reasons above specified, are required to choose a place where there
is a Russian establishment.
5. if the we-ulier permits. a pilot shall be sent to foreign met.-
chant vessels, in order to assign a proper anchorage to that descrip-
tion of shipping. Every Captain contravening this order shall pay
a tine of 100 piastres.
S. All row-boats from the merchant vessels must proceed to a
place pointed out, where there will be hoisted, during the day, a
white flag, and • lantern by night. An Inspector will watch there,
to see the, no merchandise goes out or is secreted. Those who
anchor at any other place shall pay 50 piastres, and those who con-
vey merchandise or other goods on shote, 500 piastres, and the
merchandise shall be confiscated.
7. The Captains of the above-mentioned ships, wanting Timid-
shins to continue their voyage, shall he obliged to annjunce this to
the chief' Authority of the place, who shall name the place where
supplies may he procured. Contravening this order will subject
the party to a penalty of 200 piastres.
3. If the repairs of a vessel make it necessary that she should
he unloaded, the Captain is to be authorised to do it there. In
this ease the Captain shall transmit to the Chief Authority of
the place a statement of the quantity and quality of the mer-
chandise. In case of his concealing part of his cargo, it will be
considered contraband, and a tine of LOCO piastres will be imposed.
9. The expenses which may be incurred in the said ports shall be
liquidated in the current money, or in bills of exchange. In case
the Captain should not have money, and no one is willing to give
security fir him, the chief ofticer is authorised, at the request of the
Captain, to sell such part of the merchandise as may be necessary
to defray the exyenses. This sale can only be made for the profit
of the Company, and under the sanction of the Chief Authority.
It cannot exceed, under any pretext whatever, the amount of the
expenses, under pain of the sequestration of the cargo, and a fine of
LW piastres.