The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-11
THE OCHOTSk SEA.

HAS RUSSIA RIGHT 10 MoNopoIIzE TIE
WHALE FISHERY IN THESE WATERS!
From The Boston Advertiser, March H.
The following correspondence between Kcpresenta-
tive Grape and the Secretary OF state in relation to
the prosecution of whaling IN the Ochotsk sea, IS of
interest 10 our merchants aud others engaged IN the
Northern whale fishery We indebted 10 the kind
%. Messrs Tabcr, Gordon Co. FOR the suboincd
cory
WASHINGTON d. c. Jan. ii. ISL
Hop HAMILTON lIsu, secretary OF State
sia-rle Whaling merchants Of Massachusetts, de-
sire 10 procure from your department Information
reference their right 10 take whales IN the
oehoiss sea. Formerly ships cruiscd Tor whales
,ae oono,sk making that sea part OF ihcir
northern voyage. The Russian government within u
has deuled their right 10 10 So and has sent
that armed vessels TO enforce the prohibition
THIS has resulted III whaling masters leaving or
avoiding THAI cruising ground ard seeking Their car.
goes The Arctic Ocean.
IN, season O, ls12 resulted in the destruction Of
thlry vessels in the ARCTIC Ocean. involv.
ing OF 81, 500 600 Oh property Asait, dur
ias the summer OF 1916 over one-na OF our nee. IA
that destroyed by peris accompanied by
eieai loss lie These terrible losses oi lie and
property and refusal OF underwriters to insure the
ships aud cargo have led whalemcn TO look again
To their old cruising ground in the Uchotsk, where the
early months oil the whaling season can be more pru-
DENLY spent than 10 the Arctic.
Have our snIps The right take whales the
oeho;sS sea. has the Russian government such legal
control over those waters - 10 PROHIBIT American
ships prosecuting their voyages therein
IL this right : recognized and our whalenen must
he enforced
naval police, IN what manner ana on what terms can
we secure PERMISSION from the Russian government 10
catch whales IN that sea
Please communicate 10 me such Information as Will
enable 10y constituents to act nteliigenly ana law.
WILLIAM W. CRAPO.
OF SECRETARY Yisn.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON. Feb. 10, 1871
The Hon. WILLIAM ". CEAro, House Of Representa-
SIR have TO acknowledge the receipt OF your let
ter OF the 3ist uit, requesting information respecting
the right sailors 10 carry on their occu
patton OF whaling IN the Ochotsk.
In reply to your request Tor information upon tho
subject have 20 say that some time since, by inior-
arded from Honolulu, the department was
advised that a Brush vessel engaged 10 whaling In
that had been ordered OF by Russian war vessel
and the attention OF the United States Minister at ST.
Petersburg was called to the question, who replied
that he addressed the Foreign ONCE and hau re-
ce,ved reply that tho commander OF tho vessel had
acted instructions from his government and the
Minister was promised copy Of Tue regulations upon
the subject.
but has unable 10 obtain the promised regulS-
tions; he inclosed, however, an extract IRON 81
Petersburg gazette To the effect that the Russun gov
srument intended 10 seud cruiser every year 10 this
to prevent foreign vessels from hshins in Russian
waters
IL was also stated in u newspaper slip, which reached
the department, concerning tho warning of ol the
British vessel that hceuses permitting vessels to catch
whales in this sea would he Issued at rcropaulski OIL
the payment OF 500.
40 moro precise Information than this has been re-
ceiycd in the department., but measures have been
taken call the attention OF Mr.. Boxer, the Minister
at st. Petersburg again TO the subject.
In reply to your question whcthe. our ships have
the right TO take whales this sea- and whether the
Russian government exercise such control as Is
pretended these waters. have TO say that while
This government does not admit tho right OF any
foreign government 10 control navigation or hshing
upon the high seas still in the absence OF any partcu
lar information concerning the authority which Russia
has claimed 10 exercise and without knowledge OF the
particular water or within what point she assumes TO
exercise jurisdiction. hardly appears TO DO 10 the
possession OF this government sufficient information 10
pass upon the question.
have the honor TO be, sir, your obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.