, 1886-04-08
Alaska seal Catching.

The story goes that some poachers were
fitting out in San Francisco to kill seals
on the Federal preserves in Alaskan
waters. To warn all such parties Secre-
tary Manning addressed the following
note to Collector Hager:
TREASURY DEPT, March 16. 1886.
Collector of Customs, San Francisco
| SIR: L transmit herewith for your infor-
nation copy of letter addressed by
the department on March u, 1881, to ID.
a. D'Ancona concerning the jurisdiction
OF the United States in the waters of the
Territory of Alaska and the prevention
of the killing of fur seals and other fur
bearing animals within such areas, as
prescribed by Chapter 8, Title % of the
Revised Statutes. The attention of your
predecessor in Office was callGd to this
subject on April 4, 1881. This commun-
ication is addressed to you, inasmuch as
it is understood that certain parties at
your port contemplate the fitting out of
expeditions to kill fur seals in these wat
ers. You are requested to give due pub
licity to such letters, in order that such
parties may be informed of the construc-
tion placed by this department upon the
provision OF law referred to-
Respectfully yours,
ID. MANNING Secretary.
Upon reference to back files We find
the full explanation OF this note in the
letter referred to, which is as follows:
TREASURY DEPT March Il, 1851.
ID. a. DAncOnd, III OFaTreH street,
San Francisco, Cdl-SIR: Your letter
of the 18th ult., requesting certain infor-
nation IN regard to the meaning placed
by this department upon the law regu-
lating the killing of fur-bearing animals
IN the Territory OF Alaska, was duly re-
ceived.
The law prohibits the killing of any
fur-bearing animals, except as otherwise
therein provided, within the limits of
Alaska Territory, or in the waters there
of, and also prohibits the killing OF any
fur seals on the islands OF st. Paul ard
st. George, or in the waters adjacent
thereto, except during certain months
You inquire IN regard to the inteFpre-
tation of the terms "waters there" and
waters adjacest thereto" as used in the
law, and how far the jurisdiction of the
United States is to be understood as ex-
tending.
Presumlng yonr inquiry to relate more
especially to the waters of Western
Alaska, you are informed that the treaty
with Russia Of March 80, 1870, by which
the Territory Of Alaska was ceded to the
United States, defines the boundry Of the
Territory So ceded. This treaty is found
on pages GIL to 673 of the volume of
treaties of the Revised Statutes. 1t will
be seen, therefore, that the limit of the
cessIon extends from line starting from
the Arctic ocean, and running through
Behring's strait TO the north of St Law
renee islands.
The line runs thence in southwest
erly direction, SO as to pass midway be-
tween the island of Attou and Copper
island of the Kormansborski coupIet or
group OF the North Pacific ocean, to |
meridian of l73 degrees west longit ade |
All the waters within that boundary TO
the western end of the Aleutian archipel- |
ago and chain of islands are considered |
rs comprised within the waters ct Alaska |
Territory.
Ali the penalties prescribed by law |
against the killing OF fur-heaTiug ami !
mails would therefore attach against any !
violation of law within the limits before |
described. Very respectfully,
Ii. t. FRENCH, Acting Secretary.
All parties are warned that the rule |
laid down by the secretary of the Ttreas-
ury Of the United States in 1881, and |
.eafirmed in the note Of Secretary Man
ming TO the collector OF this port of the
date of March 16, 1856. will be rigidly |
enforced against all who attempt 70 |
poach upon the Federal preserve by
killing seals within its limits, there land |
down aud defined, in the waters OF Alaska.
From that preserve the Federal govern
nlent derives its revenue, and its lessee
Is entitled to the protection proffered by |
the note Of the Secretary referred to.