Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-08
TIE BLAoK DIAMOND.
Fer story OF 'he seizurc-An ADeri-
can Seaman Put Oh BOard-Be
Remained Quietly in asis herth
While ihs Schooner Made Tor n

Fer Story OF 'he Seizurc-An Aneri-
can seaman Put Oh BOard-ns
Remained Quietly in Rsis Herth
While abe Schooner Made Tor
British Port.
VICTORIA, b. O., Aug. 4.--There is
great excitement here. The schooner
Black Diamond arrived last evening from
Behring sea. Particulars OF the seizure
by tho American revenue cutter are as fol.
lows; July l1th we got in catch OF 90
seals. At 4 p. m. we sighted the revenue
Gutter Rush. She came up to as and
ordered us to heave to. We did so. The
chist officer came aboard and demanded
our papers. We refused to give them
to him, ard he then got screwdriyer
and screwed Of the hinges on the looks
in the cabin, took the papers and los seal.
gkiss, and all Indian spears and 10 boys Of
salt. Then lie put Johu Hawkins, an able
seaman, aboard, with instructions to US
not to interfere, as sailingmaster. A,
soon as tie Rush was lost sight ola south.
west coarse was steered right for Vic
toria. Hawkins from the stsrt saw it was
impossible to attempt to take charge OF
affairs in his own hands. and conso-
quently lay in his bunk nearly the whole
time, not attempting TO interfere.
John Hawkins, the American seaman,
says he was treated kindly by every body.
When he was put aboard the steamer he
said to his officers: "Instead OF taking
her to Sitka they may go TO Victoria"
They did not answer him.
MIR. Hammley. collector OF customs
here, said he Is OF the opinion that when
Hawkins was pnt aboard the Black Dia-
mond the people on the Rush did not
care whether she came to Victoria or not
as long as she got out OF the sea and
stopped destroying sesls. Hawkins has
told everything to the American consul
here, who has wired the Washington
authorities about the matter.
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The published
report of this arrival at Victoria, b. O., Of
the steamer Black Diamond, which had
been seized by the revenue cutter kush
for illegal sealing in Behring sea and put
in charge Of seaman, caused little sur
prize here. So far as known, there has
been no official information received on
the subject from any quarter.
Assistant Secretary Wharton, who is
acting Secretary OF State, received his
first intimation OF the arrival of the
steamer through newspaper representa-
tive and said he had no information on
the subject.
AN AMERICAN soHooNER SEIZED.
HALIFAX, N. s., Aug. A dispatch to
the American consul-general announces
tho seizure at Guysboro OF the American
schooner Vidette. No further particu.
lars are given.
WASHINGTON Aug. 5.-Aeting secre-
tRry Wharton was asked oy an Associated
Press reporter this morning il the State
department had anything to say respect
ing the escape Of the Black Diamond re-
| gently captured by the revenue cutter
Rush, and which sailed into Fictoris, b.
u, British port, instead of into Sitka
as ordered by the captain OF the Rush.
Tho department." MIR. Wharton re.
piled, 'hhs not yet been advised of the
seizure of the Black Diamond or any
other vessel and no news whatever on
the subject, and therefore has no state.
ment TO make in regard to his future
action in the matter"
Have you seen the statement that il
was the desire to let the Black Diamond
escape, after taking its catch of seals and
therefore but one man was put aboard
her from the Rush ?"
mo" said Mr.. Wharton, 81 have not
seen that statement and have no means
of knowing that 1t is true or false" Con-
timing Mr. Wharton said2 This whole
matter Of the seizure OF these vessels SO
far as it has gone Is under the control
and direction OF the treasury department
II there is any blame attaching to these
seizures ii must be laid at the doors Of
Congress. 1t passed law directing the
President, to issue his proclamation
extending to the american waters in
Behring's sea, the same protection over
the seal and other fur-bearing animals,
as 10 accorded the fur bearing inhabitants
of Alaska and the waters thereof. By
the general action fisheries and that law
is simply being enforced. That is what
we are here for to carry out the laws that
Congress enaots. So far this question
has not become an international one.
The state department has not been in
formed officially of any part of the pro-
ceedings, and therefore has nothing to
act upon.
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