The morning call., 1891-06-20
THE FUR SEALS.
The Leasing Company Makes
an Appeal.
How They Have Lost Money in the Past
Two Years.
The BehTiBg Sea Controversy as Viewed by
the Commercial COmpaHy-The
Rights Of Americans.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON, June 10. - The North
American Commercial Company, through
its attorney, Judge Jeffries, has filed
q protest with the Treasury Depart
ment. 1t states that it was assured
quota of 10000 seal-skins during 1890, and
upon this assurance made large outlay.
1t was compelled to cease taking seals on
july Goth last, when the season haG not ex-
pred and only ne-third of the net quota Of
skins had been obtained. On this account
the company sustained loss of 100000 1t
again submits formal protest against the
action of the United States in once more
preventing it from taking the full quota of
seals. 1t gives notice to the Secretary of the
Treasury that it will put in a claim
10 be reimbursed by the United States to
the full amount Of the loss it may sustain
by reason of its being prohibited from
taking the full quota this year. The COM
pany further represents that in providing
for the maintenance aud education Of the
inhabitants of the islands of st. Paul and
st. George it has expo 1ded S150000, for
which it has not been reimbursed The COM
pany invites the attention of the Secretary
OF the Treasury to the fact that the Islands
of st. Paul and st. George are now in un-
disputed possession of the United States.
and that the right of this Government to
dispose of the fur seals born Oh said isla nds
has never been questioned.
NO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.
This being so, the company assumes that
the right Of the United States or its lessee
To fol CaiH
our unquestioned jurisdiction, is beyond
dispute aud not subject to interference by
any foreign State. The right of this Gov
ernment to take fur seals on its own terri
tory is not one Of the questions to be sub
mitted to arbitration. In that dispute
Great Britain aflirms and the United States
denies the right cf English and Canadian
p0achers to slaughter fur seals in "0ur
part" of the Behring sea, and the Presidents
proclamation in SO far as 1t prohibits the
company from taking its lawful quota,
is In coniraventiOn OF the vested rights
OF the company, and subjects 1t to great
loss. If it be assumed that the eastern Dor
ton Of Behfing Sea is not the marine teTr-
tory of the United States, but is high
seas" the company submits that it is not
competent for Great Britain and the United
States or any other two Governments to
determine who shall be permitted to navi-
gate tubSb waters, OF 10 pTOUIDAL HSulus VI
taking OF seals on the high seas. The COM
pany also points out that its rights have
been overlooked by the agreement, thereby
iutiicting, severe loss upon the company
in order to obtain the consent of England
20 arbitrate the question as to the right of
Canadian poachers to destroy the tur-Seal
industry by pelaglc fishing
LAND CASES DECIDED.
The following land decisions have been
made In the case Of William H. Wheeler
VS.. Samuel HOughton, involving land IN the
San Francisco District the decision OF the
Commissioner is affirmed.
Commissioner Carter to-day decided
curious land case in which a patent was
issued to an entryman for land in the
Nisalia District. A month later IL was dis
covered that the tract in question was not
subject 10 entry under the homestead law.
1t was suggested that the patent be with
drawn, but Carter thought that the Govern
ment should live up to its contract with the
entryman, since there is no evidence that he
acted in bad faith.
PoSToFFICE CHANGES.
T. J. Nolan has been appointed Post
master at twenty y-six-mile House. StauiS-
laus County, vice A. E. McAfee resigned
Mary J.. Knowles has been commissioned
Po,tmistress at Mesa Grande. Cal.
The following star service changes have
been made: From Yankee Hill TO Coucow
from July /, 1891, an increase Of service to
three times a week; from Modesto TO COul-
teIyiIa, from July lst, an increase of SER
vice to six times a week between Modesto
aud La Grange; from Redwood City to
Harrison, from July 1st to extend the SER
vice to Pescadero, supplying Bazilla inter-
mediate.
PENSIONS GRANTED.
The following California pensions have
been granted: Nelson Temple, George ID.
Patton, Jacob Henkel, John Moore, Red
ford b. Brown, George L. Parker, Nelson
Mccarthy.
COMMISSIONERS TO EUROPE.
The following have been selected as spe-
clal representatives of the Treasury De-
partment in Europe in connection with the
admission of foreign exhibits for the Worlds
Columbian Exposition: Charles I'll. Grosve-
nor of Ohio John NJ. Butler of Philadel-
phia, and Professor John NJ Ellis of 0ber-
lin Ohio