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Feb. 12, July 18, 17, Page Proposeil new Convention to icttli' portion of .Alaska boundary. United Stnic» niinounce tlint draft Convention prepared by llitni i» almost ready Propowd new Conveniion t" »i'ti|e porlion of A1.i»ita boundary running nlonir Ulst nieridiiin. 'Iransniitu United States' draft Convention for approval of Her Majesty's (jovernnient (see No. 1) Alaskan Convention for determiniui; the 14lst meridian. Uiiiti d Stales wish matter to he proceeded with as quickly ns possible for political reasons (sec No. U) Alaskan Convention for determining the 141st meridian. Tmnsmit« Nos. 1 and 2, and cnlls attention to f.ict that United States wish matter to be proceeded with as quickly as possible Alaskan Convention for determining the 141st meridian. Transmits draft telcs^raphed to (lOvernor-General of Cannda for Foreign Office I incurrence. Considers matter should be dealt with by Canadian Government Alaska luiundary question. Cnnat be consulted on this point Proposed modification in Convention by United States. Concurs in No. II a i [986] Printed for the use of the Foreign Office. October 1898. COXFIDENTIAL. Page Further Correspondence respecting the Boundary hetween the British Possessions in North America and the Territory of Alaska. Part IX. No. 1. .Sic ./. n„uncefote to the Marquegt of Salisbury.— {Received Januury 11, 1897.) (No. ;ino.) , ^„ , ilv Lo.d \)'(ish.n(jton, December 38, 1890. " Wrni rpfcrencp to my despatch No. 299 of the 2.')th OctoIxT last, •esp.H-ting the proposal of a new Convention tu settle the portion of the honndnry hetween Canada and Alaska rnnnini? aloni; the lllst meridian, I have the lionour to IraiiMnit, herewith, er)py of a not<> from the United States' SecnHary ol State, to whom I addressed a further note on the aoth nltimo. pressini; for a reply to my note to Mr. Olney of the '25th Octoher, eopy of which was inclosed in my desjjateh No. 299 to your Lordship. I have, &e. (Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEl'OTE. 4t Inelosure in No. 1. Mr, Olney to Sir J. Pauncefote. Excellency, W'atihi nylon, December 2(), 1896. ACKNOWLEDGING your note of the 30th Novemher, requesting that I expedite the reply to your previous note of the 25th Octoher, respecting the proposal of a new Convention to settle th(> location of the 141st meridian for the demarcation of the Alaskan Boundary, I liave the honour to stat(> that your note of the 25th Octoher was havinsr considaration, and proijress lias heen made towards the preparation of a dnift Convention for locatin^f monuments on the llilst meridian, in accordance with the suggestion of tiie Canadian Government, communicated in your above-mentioned note. It is thought that this draft Convention may he ready to submit to your Exco'lency in a few days. I have, &c. , ., , .,, (Signed) RICHARD OLNEY. No. 2. Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquesi of Salisbury.— {Rfceircd .lunuary 18.) Mv Ivord - ' : Washington ./«» Kan/ (>, 1^97. ' WITH reference to my despatch No. 360 of the 28th ultimo .nnd to previous correspondence respecting the proposal of a new Convention to settle tiic pr.ition of the boundary between Canada and Alaska running along the 141 si. meridian, I have the b(mour"to transmit herc'with copy of a note which I have received from the Secivtiiry of Stu1t>, forwiinlini,' n ilrnf't Cnnvontion, wliiHi has hron pirinivd by the I)f|)!u-t;iit'iit (if Stale for tlu' consideration of iler Majosly's Goveniinent. •Mr. Oliiey (Icsins to know wiietiier tlio drail roiivoiition, coi).v of wliicli is inclosed, meets with tlie ni)i)roval of He'- .Majesty's Uovornment. I iiave foiwarded a eopy of the diaft roiiventiin to the Ciovernor-Gencial of Canada in order to avoid delay, as tlio (Jovernniuiit of the Dominion are anxious that flic arrangements for the joint survey should be completed as early as possible. 1 liave, itc. (Signed) JULIAN i'AUxNCLl'O'Hi. Indosure 1 in No. L'. Mr. Olntij to Sir J. Paunvet'olc ExccUency, nennrtmenf of Stnte, U'anliinqton, Januari/ o, lSi)7. 1! l']l''l''.R I! lNridian, T now have the honour to transmit to you herewith a diuft Convention whieli lias hocn ])repared by the Depart- ment for the eonsidfM'ation of Her Majesty's fiovernrno'it. If the draft shall he loiind to ni(>et the views of your (iovernmcnt, tlie Deiiartnient will take pleusuri> in proparinsj engrossed copies in duplicate for signatur(>. I hflvt* uLc (Siarnod) ' RICHARD OLNKY. lnclosun( 2 in No. 2. Draft Cou veil lid II heiir'/ii the I'uitrd Statf's ot Aiiwrico uiid Hrr Miijesti) the Qiifeu of the United Kingdom of Giei'l Hritaiii and Ireland, for Iht demarealion nf so much of the I41s< meridian of fVesl L'linjiJude as mai/ be necessary tor the determination of the Boundnrij between tlierr n-speclire Possessions in North America. WlIEllEAS l)y a Treaty lietween the United States of .Vmerica and llis Majv^sty the Eni])eror of all the llussias, for the cession of the Russian possessions in North America to (he United States, concluded the iJdtli March, 18(i7, the most northerly jiart of ih(i boundary-line l)t;tween the said KuHsian jHissessions and those of iler Britannic Majesty, as established by the prior Convention between Russia and Great Britain of the 2(')tli (Kitii) February, 1H25, is dctlned as foUowin;; tiie lUst degree of lonsiitude w(!st from Greenwich, hegiimini;' at the point of intersection of the said 141st dcijrct^ of west loni^itude with a certain line drawn ])anvllel with the coast, and thence eontiiiuiiitj from the said ]ioiiit of iiitersection uj)oii the said meridian of the 141st degree in its prolongation as far as the Frozen Ocean ; And wheiras, the location of .said meridian of the It 1st degree of west longitude between tiie terminal points thereof dotined in said Treaties, is dependent upon ihe scicntilic ascertainment of (;ouvenient points along the said meridian and the survey of the country intcrmcdiHte between such points, involving no question of interpreta- tion of the aforesaid Treaties but merely th(> determination of such points and their conueeting lines by the (mlinary ])roecsscs of observation and survey conducted by competent astronomers, engineers, and surveyors; And wheresis, such determination has not hitherto been made by a joint survey as is it'quisite in order to give complete effect to said Treaties, although indcpimdent ob.servalions and surveys have been conducted from time to time, and are now being conducted, by expert otlieers in the service of their respective Governments along the said meridian of the I list degr.-e of west longitude, rc^sulting in the collection of scicntilic en the two locations in question of the 14l8t meridian shall be adopted, provided the discrepancy between them shall not exceed 1,000 feet. In wuse of a greater discre,iancy a ncxr joint determination shall be made by the Commissioners. ARTICLE III. The location of the l-tlst meridian, as determined hereunder, sliall be marked by intervisible object*, natural or artificial, at such distances aj/art as the Commissioners shall agree upon, and hy such additional marks as t'/'^y shall deem necessary, and the line when and where thus marked, in wh.ole or in part, sh.-^" bo deemed to permanently define for al! international purposes the 111st meridian mentioned in the I'reaty of the 30th March, 1867, between the United States and Russia, and in the Treaty of the 15th (28th; February, 1825, between Great Britain and Russia. The location of the marks s.iall l>e described by such views, maps, and other means as the Commissioners shall decide upon, and duplicate records of the.se des- criptions shall bo attested by the Commissioners jointly, and be by them deposited with their respective Governments, together with their final Report hereinafter mentioned. ARTICLE IV. Each Government shall bear the expenses incident to the employment of its own. appointees, and of the operations conducted by them, but the cost of material used in permanently marking the meridiau, and of its transportation, shall be home jointly and equally bv the two Governments. [98G] B ARTirLK V. The Commissioners shall diliijontly prosccuto tho work to its comijlotinn, and thoy shall suhmit to their rospectivf (lOvonimeiitH from time to timo, and at lenHt onco in ev^'ry oilcndar year, a joint report of progress, and a final comprehensive Report upon the completion of the whole work. 'i'he present Convention shall he duly ratified hy tho President of the Tnited States of America, hy and witli tl;e advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and hy Her Uriiannic Majesty, and the ratifications shall he exchangcul at Washington or in London as soon as po.ssihle within twelve months from the date hereof. In faitli whereof we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this Convention, and have hereunto afTixtid our seals. Done in duplicate in Washington the day of 189 No. 3. Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquess of Salisbury. — {Received January 20.) (No. 14.) (Telegraphic.) P. Was/iington, January 20, IHQT. MR. OliNEY urges, fo;- political reasons, that the matter of the Alaskan Convention for determining the Meridian be proceeded with with the utmost expedition. The question was referred to in my despatch No. 6 to your Lordship of the 6th instant. No. 4. Foreign Office to Colonial Office. Sir, Foreign Office, January 22, 1897. WITH reference to my letter of the 11th November, I am directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to transmit to you copies of further despatches from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Washington relating to the Alaska Boundary.* In the latter of these despatches Sir J. Pauncefote incloses a draft Convention, which has been prepared in the Department of State, for the consideration of Her Majesty's Gorernment. a' telegram has also been received from Sir Julian, stating that, for political reasons, ^Ir. Olney urges that the utmost expedition should be employed in the matter, and I am to suggest that the Governor-Gonoral of Canada should he informed by telegraph of Mr. Olney's wishes in this respect. It will he observed that the draft Convention has already been communicated to the Canadian Government, who appear to be likewise anxious that the arrangements for determining the meridian should be comi)leted without delay. I am, &c. (Signed) F. H. VILLIER8. No. 5. Colonial Office to Foreign Office. — (Received .January 25.) Bir Downing Street, January 23, 1897. IN reply to your letter of the 22nd instant respecting the Alaska boundary question, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acquaint you, for the information of the Marquess of Salisbury, that the matter, in his opinion, is one which must be left mainly with the Canadian Government. • Nos. I and 2. . '* lie proposoH, therefore, if Lord Salisbury sect no objection, to tolcgrnj)!) ti> tlio Govcrnor-(ieiioral as in the incloscii draft. I nm to take the opiiortuuity of transmittinjj copy of a despatch and it« inch)Hures, received from Fjord Atierdeen, in wliii'li liin .N.'inistcrs iirp;e an early .settlement of the question. I am, &c. (Si-ned) JOUN URAMSTON. Inclosure 1 in No. '>. Draft Telegram from Mr. Chamberlain to the Earl of Aberdeen. TELEfiRAPH views of your Ministers as to draft Convention, Alaska boundary, proposed by United States' Governnient. If they have serious objection to draft Convention, would suggest Delegate should be bent to discuss question with Pauncefote. liicjo-tire 'J in No. T). The Far) of Aberdeen to Sfr. Chamberlntn. Sir, Gorernment House, Otiaira, Jiinnary 7, IPOT. WITH reference to your Ponfidentinl despatch of the 1!)fh \ovem!)er last, on the subject of the Alaska boundary, I have the honour to inclose copy of an approved Minute of the I'rivy Council, from which you will observe that Ministers are anxious to learn whether the United States' (loverninent will concur in the proposal to coinniencc operations for the demarcation of the 141st meridian as early as |)os8ib!»? next spring;. I have communicated a copy of the .Minute of Council to Her Majesty's Ambas- sador at Washington with a request that he would ascertain the views of the United States' Government. I have, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. Inclosure 3 in No. 5. Extract from a Report of the Committee of the Hnnourable the Privy Council, approved by the Gorenwr'General on the'J.\th December, 1^06. THE Committee of the Privy Council have had under cnnsidiration a Colonial Office despatch, hereto attached, dated the VMh November, 189ti, transmitting a copy of a despatch, dated the 25th October, 1896, with its inclosures, from Her Majesty's .Vmba.s- sador at Washington to the Marquess of Salisbury, respecting the Alaska boundary. The Minister of the Interior, to whom the said despatch and its inclosures were referred, submits that concurrence with the proposal of the Secretary of State of the United States to divide the difTorenct^ betwern Mr. Ogilvie's and Messrs Magrath and Turner's determinations of the crossings of the 141st meridian by the ^'ukon River and Forty Milo Creek having been expressed by your ' xcellency in Council on tlio ^'^th September, 1896, it is now very desirable that the Canadian Government should be informed at the earliest possible date of the decision which has been reached by the (rovernment of the United States as to the proposal contained in the last paragraph of the approved Minute of Council of the 28th September, 18'it-. namely, that steps .sjinuld he taken by the two Governments to have operations upon the ground for the demarcation of the Hist meridian on either .side of the points agreed upon at the above-cited river-crossings commenced as early as possible next spring. The Minister further submits that it this pro])osal meets with the concurrence of the Government of the United States, neg()tiation8 lielwoen the Governments with a view to the conclusion of the arrangements for the joint survey would he initiiited without delay. The Committco ndviso that your K.\ccllonc\ be movotl to communicate "itli Her Majesty's AmliasHmlor t" the I'liitetl Stiitis, in the hciisc of thin Minute. All whicli is respectfully sulnnittcd lur your Ivxccllency's a|)i)roval. (Signed) .lOllN .1. M.CKK, CUrli of the Vrivy Council. No. ({. Colonial Office to Foreiyn Office. — (Received .January 2r>.) Sir, Downinu Street, .luuimri/ '25, 1807. WITH reference to tiie letter from tiiis Di'iinrtincnt of the 2.')rd instant, rctipccting tlie Alaska boundary (jucBtion, I am directed by Mr. Secretary ('haniberlain to transmit to you. for the inl'ormntion of the Miir(|ucs8 of Salisbury, copies of two telogranis from tiie (jiovernor-Cleneral of Canada, stating that his iVIinistei'S approve of the draft (! F. H. VILLIKRS. No. 9. Sir J. Pauncefote to the }fitrque»t of Salisbury. — {Received February 13.) (No. 32.) My Lord, H'nshinyton, January 30, 1897. WITH reference to your LonJship's telegram No. Ifi of the 20tli instant, I have the honour to inform your Lordshij) tiiat the Aiasltan Convention between Great Britain and the United States was siirncd t(»-(lay l)y Mr. Gluey and my.sclf. I have retained the duplicate oriijinal ol" the "Conve.itioti in case of any amend- ments being suggested previous to its ratilieation by the SiMiate svhicii may be acceptable to Her Majesty's Government. I iiave, &c. (For Sir .Julian Pauncefote), (Signed) GOUGU. No. 10. Colonial Office to Foreign Office. — {Receiveil February 13.) Sir, Downing Street, February 12, 1897. I A^r directed by the Secretfiry of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquess o'f Salisbury, with reference to tlii^ letter from your Department of the 5th instant, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada on the subject of the Alaska boundary. I am, Ac. (Signed) R. H. MEADE. Inclosure 1 in No. 10. The Earl of Aberdeen to Mr. Chamberlain. gir^ Government House, Ottawa, January 26, 1S97. Wrrn reference to my despatch of the 12th instant relative to the draft Conven- tion proposed by the Unitell States' Government for the demarcation of a portion of the Alaska boundary, I have the honour to forward hiu-ewith copy of an approved Minute of the Privy Council, from which you will observe that the draft Convention meets ■with the full approval of my Ministers. I have communicated copy of the Minute of Council to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Washington I have, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. [986] Inclosure 2 in No. 10. Extract from a Report of the Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by the Governor-General on the 'ISrd January, 1897. THE Conmiittee of the Privy Council have had under consideration a despatch, hereto attaehed, dated the Oth .lanuary, 1897, from Her Majesty's Ambfussador to the United States, i'orwai'diut; eopy of a draft Convention which lias been prepared by the State Departiuent of the United States on tlie subject of the delimitution of that poi'tion ot thi! boundary between Canada and tlie territories of the United States in Alaska which lies between the point of intersection of the 141st desjree of west lonj^i- tude with a certain line drawn j)arallel to the coast and the Frozen (Jeean, ae(!ording to the definition of that boundary contained in the third parai^rajih of (he Treaty of St. Petersburgh, in respect to which it is accurately stated in the preamble that no question of interprefatio!i of the Treaty is involved, but merely the scientific ascertain- ment of convenient jioints along the meridian and the survey of the country intermediate between such points l)y the ordinary processes of observation and survey. The Committee, on the reeommendntion of the .\[inister of the Interior, advises that your Excellency he moved to inform the Right Honourable the Mar(|uess of Salisbury and Fler Majesty's Ambassador to the United States that the draft Conven- tion its submitte;! has been approved and accepted by the Government of Canada. All of which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency's approval. (Signed) JOHN J. McGEE, Clerk of the Privy Council. No. 11. Colonial Office to Foreign Office. — {Received July 14.) Sir, Downiny Street, July 13, 1897. WITH reference to your letter of the 8th March and previous correspondence on the subject of the Alaska Boundary Convention, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cliamberlain to transmit to you, to be laid bc^fore tlie Marijuess of Salisbury, the accompanying copy of a despatcii from the Governor-General of Canada transmitting an approved Minutt; of the Dominion Privy Council respecting the amendment of the Convention which is said to be contcinphitcil by the United States' Senate with regard to that part of it which defines a portion of tiie line .)y reference to the Peak of Mount Si. Elias. Mr. Chamberlain pro])asis, with Lord Salisbury's coneuiTcnce, to reply that if any modification of the Treaty is made by the United States' Senate the Dominion Government will be consulted before it is agreed to by Her Majesty's Government. I am, &c. (Signed) JOHN tiRAMSTON. Inclosure 1 in No. 11. The Earl of Aberdeen to Mr. Chamberlain. Sir, Government House, Ottawa, Canada, June 23, 1897. I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, for ycmr consideration, a copy of an approved Minute of the Privy Council representing that information has been received that an amendment to the Convention lor the delimitation of the Alaska bound-iry is in contemplation by the United States' Senate which may seriously alter the effect of that part of the Convention which relates to the defining of a portion of the line by reference to the Peak of Mount St. Elias, You will observe that Ministers would be glad, therefore, to be afforded an opportunity of considering any amtmdments added to the Treaty before its final ratification. I have, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. Inclosure 2 in No. 11. Extract from n Report of the Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by the Governor-General on the 12th June, 1897. ON a Report dated the 6th June, 1897, from the Minister of the Interior, sub- mittin;», with reference to the Convention providing for the delimitation of the 141st meridian between Canada an 1 the United States' territory of i\.laska, whieh has been sii,'ncd l)y Her Majesty's Aml)assador at Washington and the Secretary of State of the United States, and lias been transmitted to the . ^nate of the United States for their action thereon, that, according to information received, an amendment is in contemplation whicii may seriously alter the effect of that part of the Convention which relates to the defining of a portion of the line by reference to the Peak of Mount St. Elias. The ilinister further submits that the approval of the draft Convention signified by your Excellency in Council on the 23rd January, 1S97, presupposed no essential change in the terms of the Convention. The Committee, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior, advise that your Excellency be moved to inform the Most Honourable the Marquess of Salisbury and Her Majesty's Ambassador to tiie United States of the desire of the Government of Canada to be afforded an opportunity of considering any amendments added to tUe Treaty befoie it is finally ratified. All which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency's approval. (Signed) JOHN J. McGEE, Clerk of the Privy Council. No. 12. Foreign Office to Colonial Office. Sir, Foreign Office, July 17, 1897. I LAID before the ilarqucss of Salisbury your letter of the 13th instant, and I am directed to express his Lordship's concurrence in the reply which Mr. Secretary Chamberlain proposes to return to the Governor- General of Canada respecting the Alaska Boundary Convention, informing his Excellency that the Dominion Govern- ment will be consulted before any modification of the Convention is agreed to by Her Majesty's Government, I am, &c. (Signed) F. H. VILLIERS.