The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-03
THE POACHERS HOWL
Seizure of the Coquitlam Will
Compel Their Return.
SHREWD MOVE OF AMERICANS.
The Customs Laws Plainly Violated
Corwin Acted Under Orders-Ludi-
crous Frenzy of Vessel-Owners.

VICTORIA, July Especial. THE seiz.
IRE of the supply steamer Coquitlam and
the ordering home by the cutter Corwin of
twenty-five schooners of the British seal
ing feet at Port Etches is the only thing
talked of today. No fresh facts have de-
veloped, but details are now obtainable.
The reporter, A. N. Brown, who was on
tie Coquitlam and was held prisoner at
Sitka for five days. published six-column
story in the Morning Ne,cs, and that paper
editorially denounces the seizure as an
outrage which must lead to the gravest
international complications and prevent
the anticipated settlement of the dispute
by arbitration. Browns story of the
seizure, given over his signature, is as fol-
lows:
TWAS on June is that the Coquitlam reached
the first rendezvous, at Tonki bay, Afognak
island, and on the following day six of the
twelve schooners there We're towed to sea, pro-
visoned and their skins transferred. From
there running to Port Etches every schooner
fallen in with off the Potlatch bank had ON
nous rumors of some man-of-war in the port
and many seizures. One captain stated that
fourteen cruisers and eight seal schooners were
at anchor there These were totally without
foundation, but aroused the suspicious of Cap
tain Mcclellan. When the vessel arrived OFF the
port at l n m. June % he requested your
correspondent to go ashore in a boat with Mate
Freeman and learn all that was possible in con-
nection with the reports and find out il there
was any reason why the ship should not enter.
Mate Freeman bore a letter to the captain of any
war vessel that might be in port asking if there
was any objection to the Coqultlam's coming in.
getting water. which he was sadly in need of,
and instructing schoOners 10 come outside the
limit and get their supplies. After long pull
in Jog and mist the schoOners Agnes Mac
Donald and Teresa were fallen in with.
and from them it was learned that the
American warships aud II. VI. S. Nymphe
had gone, after assuring the schooners that
they might remain in port as long as they
pleased Acting on this information the
Coquitlam steamed in aud anchored. She was
surrounded at once by q swarm OF small boats
al ter mail This was given out Then came re-
peated demands for provisions. Several cap
tains said there was no danger, and is would
save time and trouble to put the stuff right over
the side. This proposition was not entertained
for moment After consultation il was ar
ranged Tor the steamer to spend the day taking
on water, and on the following day 10 20 out
side the limit and transfer provisions and skins
Aoout 40 n m. the mail steamer Elsie came in
and anchored not far from the Coquitlam
Unknown to those on the supply steamer d
disguised officer from the revenue cutter Cor
win aboard the Elsie. His vessel was living
in coucealnent in the harbor two lies 10 the
northward. The CoGuiiiams matches were off
and she was transferring coal from the forward
TO the ait hold 20 trim tbs ship, she being down
by the mead. Absolutely not single particle o.
freight went over the sides About o'clock in
the afternoon The Elsie went out, ard shortly
after the Corwin steamed IN and anchored about
100 yards of the steamer. boat WAS
hurriedly lowered and Second Lieutenant
Quinsn boarded the CoQuitlam. He put two
sailors on the matches AMI told them 10 allow
nothing TO be taken out Then he placed one
man on the bridge, and requested the CORE
spondeut, who was standing there, TO allow no
boat 10 come near the ship. Then
he introduced himself 10 Captain Nc
Le,lan aud retired 10 that officers
cabin with him He asked 10 see aad was