The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-01-20

uay be, issue q passport to the party applying tf III s~We-
Russinn Policy In the Ochotsk.
We are not disposed to exaggerate the reports
which have come to hand from time to time in
regard to any interference, immediate or pros
pectiye, on the part OF Russian authorities, in the
freedom heretofore enjoyed by citizens of all ma
tions without distinction in the fishery and trade
of the bays and shores of the North Pacific Ocean.
We have heretofore been inclined to look upon
such reports as originating more in groundless
suspicious or idle gossip than in the development
of any new policy on the part of the Russian
Government.
We have received a letter from Ayan, which
refers to trouble as having arisen between a Rus
sian and French vessel, and if the writer's state
ment of the cause of the trouble is correct, it
looks more like an attempt to initiate q new
policy and limit the freedom hitherto yielded to
foreign vessels cruising on the Ochotsk whaling
grounds. We say !" yielded, - because the treaty
which we refer to below, shows that such privilege
has been given. We quote SO much of the Ayan
letter as bears on the disturbance alluded to
AYAN, Ochotsk Sea, October, 1858.
oThere has been some difficulty this season between
the French whaleships and the Russian brig Con-
~stantine. 1t originated in an attempt on the part Of
the Captain of the brig to force the ship PWe de Rem
mes from the harbor of Ayan, and prevent his whal-
ing there. The Captains of the brig Constantine and
also of the Graefer Berg have been very jealous in
their endeavors to frighten American and other ships
from Ochotsk Sea whaling. Whether they have sue
ceeded in intimidating many American shipmasters
from going there another season (by mere threats OF
armed cruisers.) yet remains to be seen. The brig
Sot- - Avo- ord has hoan horQ III the
season until the difficulty with the French ship.
The Russian Captain called upon the Goyerno- to
assist, but that worthy individual had the good sense
to mind his own business, and let the Emperor of
Russia alone; consequently the Captain left the bay
in high dudgeon. Capt. Enberg took possession Of
Tavisk Bay and held it without molestation; but
there were no whales in the bay"
Now the Russian Government unquestionably
has the right to regulate and even forbid fishing
and trading in the bays and shores of her North
Pacific territory, within the limits of maritime
jurisdiction, provided she has not ceded
to any foreign nation the privilege to fish
and trade. This privilege was granted by Russia
to British subjects many years since. In the
latest edition of SO Findley's Directory for the
Navigation of the Pacific Ocean, we find pub
lished q treaty between England and Russia,
entitled a convention between His Britanic Maj
esty and the Emperor of Russia, respecting the
free navigation, and fisheries In the
Pacific Gsean signed at St. Petersburg, Feb
ruary 18th, 1925 from which we quote the three
concluding articles:
.4rticle 7. 1t is also understood, that for the space
of ten years from the signature of the present conven-
ton, the vessels of the two powers or those belonging
to their respective subjects, shall mutually be at lib
- al - 20 81
the inland seas, the CULTS, Ravens and creeks on the
coast, mentioned in Article Sd for the purposes of
fishing and of trading with the natives
article 8. The port of Sitka, or Novo Archangelsk,
shall be open to the commerce and vessels of British
subjects for the space of ten years from the date of
the exchange of the Publications of the present con-
vention. In the event of an extension of the term of
ten years being granted to any other power, the like
extension shall be granted also to Great Britain.
.irticie 3. The above mentioned liberty OF COM
merce shall not apply to the trade in s%pirituous IL
quors, firearms, or other arms, gunpowder, or other
warlike stores; the high contracting parties recipro-
calIy engaging not to permit the above mentioned
Articles to be sold or delivered in any manner what
ever, to the natives of the country.
(Signed) STAFFORD CANNING,
The CoUNT DE NEssELRoDE,
U. 81 PIERRE DE PoLII1cA.
Although the above treaty appears to be limit
ed to the term of ten years from It's ratification.
it states the case in which its provisions might
be extended beyond that term. Whether it has
ever been formally cancelled or not. we do not
know; but the fact that it is published in the
last edition of a high standard work on naviga-
ton, Is presumptive evidence that it is consid-
cred still in force. The question is one which
it NAV be we'll for those interested to investigate.
But even in case that the treaty has been ter
minated by mutual consent, there is no question
that the instrument clearly established the right
of British subjects. and by parity, the subjects of
any other nation, "to frequent tcithOut any him
drance ,chateuer, oil the inland seas, the guJs,
h.rens, and creeks on the COAST, menfionedi in Arfi-
Gle 3, for the purposes Of fishing and Of trading
,cith the Mattress and so long as these privileges,
thus sanctioned by treaty, continue to be followed
and enjoyed at a heavy outlay of capital, Russia
will be bound to respect the rights of those ma
tions who are interested in the trade.
We do not anticipate any immediate prohibi-
ton of the whaling and trading so long carried
on in the bays and shores of the Arctic and
Ochotsk but still it would seem hardly possible
that Russian ships should interfere with French
whalers (s stated by our Ayan correspondent
without some authority or intimation from the
Russian Government.
BURGLARY.-Last Thursday morning, between the
hours Of one and three O'Clock, the store of Hoff-