^ ^ ^^^Q. >.ir. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) t»t 1.0 £fi^ Ui ■tt lU 12.2 1.1 S U2 12.0 lilies U4 'C Photograph Sciences Corporation ^ ^ ^•^ O' as WMT MAIN STRHT ynlMTIR.N.V. I4SM (7U)I79-4S03 . c^ 1 Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de ■ mm m mi Canadian Instituta for Historical IMicroraproductions / Inatitut Canadian da microraproductiona liiatoriquaa 1 TMhnieal and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa taehnlquaa at UbHographiqiiaa Tha Inatltuta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avallaMa for filming. Faaturaa ^1 thia copy which may ba bibHograpMcaNy unlqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproductlon, or which may algniflcantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad haiow. D Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur I I Covara damagad/ D D D a Couvartura andommagia Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raataurAa at/ou pallicul4a □ Covar titia miaaing/ La tKra da couvartura manqua □ Colourad mapa/ Cartaa gAograph gAographiquaa an coulaur •d ink (i.a. othar than blua Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I I Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ |~~| Coloured plataa and/or iliuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou iliuatrationa an coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ Raii4 avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa shadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La raliura aarrAa paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatortion la long da la marga intAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoratton may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaalbia. thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ 11 aa paut qua eartainaa pagaa bianchaa ajoutiaa iora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta. mala, loraqua caia Atait poaaibia. eaa pagaa n'ont paa 4t* fiimAaa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa •uppiimantairaa: L'Inatltut a mterofllmA la maillaur axamplaira qu1l lul a 4t* poaaibia da aa procurer. Laa dAtaila da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua Mbitographiqua, qui pauvant modlfiar una Imaga raprodulta, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la m4thoda normala da fiimaga aont indlquAa d-daaaoua. Tl to D Colourad pagaa/ Pagaa da coulaur □ Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommag^aa □ Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou pailiculAaa Pagaa diacoiourad, atainad or foxad/ Pagaa dAcoiorAaa, tachatiaa ou piquAaa □ Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa dAtachAaa rrri Showthrough/ D Tranaparanca Quality of prir Qualiti in4gala da I'impraaaion Includaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du material auppi4mantaira Only adition aveilabia/ Baula Mitton diaponibia rn Quality of print variaa/ rn Includaa aupplamantary material/ I — I Only adition aveilabia/ Pagea wholly or partieliy obacurad by errete alipa, tiaauee, etc., heve been refilmed to enaura the beat poaaibia image/ Lee pegee totaiement ou partieliement obacurciaa per un fauiilet d'errete. une pelure. etc.. ont At* filmAea A nouveeu de fe^on A obtenir le melikiure imege poaaibia. Tl P< of fil Oi b« th sii ot fil si< or Tl •^ Tl wl M dii er b« rif re mi This item Is filmed et the reduction retio checked below/ Ce document est fllmA eu teux de rAductlon IndiquA oi-dessous. 10X 14X 1IX 22X 2iX 30X J 12X IfX »X 24X 2tX 32X taNs du un« nag* Th« copy filniMl h«r« haa baan raproducad thanka to tha ganaroaity of: I Library Diviiion Proviitcial Archivtt of British Columbit Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tlAa baat quality poaaibia eonaidaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in liaaping with tha filming contract apacificationa. Original copiaa in printad papar covara ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion. or tha back covar whan appropriata. All othar original copiaa ara filmad baginning on tha f irat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- sion. and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraaaion. Tha laat racordad frama on aach microfiche ahall contain tha aymbol — ^ (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha aymbol ▼ (moaning "END"), whichavar appliaa. Mapa, plataa, charts, ate, may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratioa. Thooa too larga to ba antiraly includad in ona axpoaura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand corner, laft to right and top to bottom, as many framas as raquirad. Tha following diagrams illustrata tha mathod: L'aMamplaira film* fut raproduit grica A la g6nAroaitA da: Library Divition Provincial Archivat of British Columbia Laa imagaa auivantaa ont AtA raproduitoa avac la plua grand aoin. compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da I'aKamplalra film*, at an conformit* avac laa conditions du contrat da filmaga. Laa axamplairaa originauK dont la couvartuta wt papiar aat ImprimAa aont f llmAa an commandant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant aoit par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration. aoit par la aacond plat, aalon la caa. Toua laa autraa axamplairaa originaux aont filmia wn commandant par la pramiAra paga qui comporto una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration at an tarminant par la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Un das symbolaa suivanta apparaltra sur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microficha. salon la caa: la symbols -^ aignifia "A 8UIVRE". la symbola ▼ aignifia "FIN". Laa cartaa. planchaa. tableaux, ate. pauvant Atra fiimAs A daa taux da rAduction diffArants. Loraqua la document aat trap grand pour Atre reproduit en un aeul clichA. il eat filmA A partir da Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en baa. wn prenant la nombre d'imagea nAcesseire. Les diagrammaa suivanta illuatrent la mAthode. rrata ;o palure. iA □ 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 c T//£ ALASKA BOUNDARY, SPEECH ow HON. WATSON C. SQUIRE, OF WASHINGTON, IN TUB SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, JANUARY 3, 1898. ^V^ASHITSrOTON". 1896. •■• . SEP ^*^ 60 STEECn HON. WATSON C. SQUIEE. The Senate having under consideration the joint resolution (S. R.39) mall* ing an appropriation to defray th(> joint expenses of locating the boundary line (xitwcen the Territory of Alaska and the British North American tern* tory. THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY. Mr. SQUIRE said: Mr. Phesidrnt: I introduce a joint resolution and ask that it be read at length. The joint resolution (S. R. 39) making an appropriation to de- Tray the joint expense of locating the bounflary line between the Territory of Alaska and the British North American territory was read the first time by its title and the second time at length, as follows: RfHolwd by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That in view of the expediency of forthwith negotiating a convention with Oreat Britain for marking convenient points upon the one hundred and forty-flrst meridian of wost longitude where it forms, under existing treaty provisions, the boundary line between the Terrl« tory of Alaska and the British North American territory, and to enable the President to execute the provisions of such convention without delay, when concluded, the sum of $75,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to oe immediately available, under the direction or the Presid<-nt, to defray the share of the united States in the joint expense of locating said meridian and marking said bound.*ry by an international commission. Mr. SQUIRE. Mr. President, I will state in explanation of the joint resolution that the people of the Pacific Coast desire a speedy settlement of the boundary question in Alaska. I have had rep- resentationa mado to me on tnat subject of the most urgent char- acter. People who've homes are in t'le State of Washington are engaged in raining in the Territory of Alaska. They are engaged in transporting supplies for their subsiatence while conducting their operations in mining. Others are engaged in trading as merchants between the ports on Puget Sound and the ports of Alaska. From a report published by the Coast Survey in 1893 T quote the following extracts, as showing the extent and importance of this great Territory: It is regrettable that our sources of information for late Alaskan statistios are confined to the brief summaries of the governor's reports, and that for • comprehensive study of all the wealth-producing Industries of the Territory we have to go to the publications of the census for 1800. The extraordinary growth of this but partially explored Territory, with Its valuable resources on land and the almost limitless wealth in its waters, de- manilB greater attention than has heretofore bet«n accorded it. and raakee im|)erattve that general and comprehensive aids to its navigation and com- merce be supplied. 1958 i 22ti345 This vast re^on containB Bbout 000.000 Hquare miles, being about twelve •nd a half times the area of the Stat« of New Ynrk. It han H|ii>i-oximatHl7 S0,000 miles of shore line, which exceeds that of the Atlantic, Punilc, and Qiilf coasts of the United States by over ll.ax) miles, while the iHlands along its ooast are estimated to be 1,100 in number. A course parallel witli the trend of its shore from Cape Mnzon, its most southerly point, to Point Barrow, its most northerly one, is about a,8(IO miloH. Tlie Aleutian chain of islands is about I.IOU miles long, and Attu, the most westerly one of this group, is about *;»0 miles west of Sitlta. There are ininienso forests in Alaska, densely covering overy part of the eountryand «linibiiig stfop mountain sides to heights «f 2.<)(lii iiml a..5(10 feet •hove sea level, and wliicli extt^id as far west as Kadiak Island, being a con- tinuous stretdi of a thousand miles. They consist mainly of spruce, hemlock, and cedar, one variety of the lat- ter, the yellow, being very valuable in the construction of Huiiill vessels on account of its durable qualities. The commerce of AlasKa is and doubtless always will be carried on by water, owing to the peculiar formation of the country ; and being so varied and largely conducted by nonresidents and by vessels nailing from so many different ports, it is difficult to olttain an exact idea of its extent. The internal com- merce is carried on through about 1^ agencies, locuted in 101 towns and set- tlement.s. situated along its coast and among its islands. The exiK>rt8 consist mainly of furs, ivory, Indian curios, gold and silver bul- lion and ore, and the products of the whale, ccmI, and salmon fisheries. Daring the earlier occui)aucy of tlie country its commerce depended almost •zclusively on the fur trade, l)nt since other imlustries depi-naent upon the actual necessities of man sprung up this important factor, although of great value, has already fallen to a third pla.(KI(). In 1892 there were sixteen gold and silver mines in operation, and up to that date the total output amounted to about $(i,00(),UKI. The traffic dependent npon the necessities of the small army already engaged in this comparatively new enterprise is considerable and will undoubtedly increase. The salmon industry commenced in iMTtJ.aud from that date up to 1890 the p«.ck had amounted to $U.Ol:J,UK». In 187M the entire product was valued at 160,416, while that of IHUU nas $:.>,73l,000. Tlie salmon tanning industry of this country is confined to the waters of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. In years past the Columbia River lias been the principal source of supply, but the run in all the sections south of British Columbia has become smaller from year to year. In the year 18H7 the total pack for the entire Pacific Coast was OtlK.aw cases, of which the Columbia River furnished 430,(100. In 1890 the output of the western coast was about l,'iZ\,'XKi cases, of which Alaska alone furnished t)HH.:!2'~', or more than half the entire product of the United States. The capital invested in the Alaska sjilnion fisheries, including permanent improvements, vessels, etc., is something more than $4,000,000. There were, in 1890, 37 rm( lusly rich in fish. It is interest- ing to note that the two newer industries, mining and salmon fishing, have grown so rapidly that while in 1880 both thes^e industries were insignificant and completely overshadowed by the fur trade, by 18ilO their products amounted in value to $16,000,000, or more than twice the purchase price of the Territory. The Pacific and Arctic whaling catch, though not confined strictly to Alas- kan waters, is conducted by American vessels, and all but a very small per- centage of it is secured in waters contiguous to the Alaskan coast. The total value of oil, lM>ne, and ivory of the catch Iwtween 1874 and 1890 was $11,304,- 466. There are about fifty vessels engaged in this industry, their port of call being Port Clarence. The charts of the tracks and rendezvous of these ves- sdbs are simply compilations of early explorations and are very crude and InacGorate. Of the food fish of Alaska the cod-fish stand next in commercial importance to the salmon, The eastern part of Bering Sea is a groat reservoir of cod, and the area within the limits of 60 fathoms dei)th is no less than 18.000 square miles. In this sea fishing must bo done as it is off Newfoundland, without harbors of refuge, but in a much less d('i)th of water. The fishing lianks along the south shores of the Aleutian cliaia will add about 4.'>,(HK) more square miles, making a total of 03,000 square miles, this being about four times tho 1868 areaof the banks in the reffion of Newfoundland. Though over twenty ve»ra have elapsed sinre the Inception of this industry, it must still be consiaered In its infancy. The value of the catch durine the last twenty-seven years has amounU-d to about $8,«)0,000. It is earned on without regard to the abundant supply, but solely in accordance with the demands of toe local and limited market on the Pacific coast of America. It is evident, with the numerous transcontinental railways and with the in- crcjising population along their lines and growing tributaries, that the demand will constantly and pornianently increase, so that this interest will alone crowd the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea with sails. In this report too much stress is not laid on the importance of the fishing Industry alone, and this will be appreciated if we reflect that a great historical fact has been epitomized in the statement that "Amsterdam is built on herring bones." Sundry questions have arisen to cause grave solicitude and anxiety on the subject of the lx)undary line. It has even been inti- mated to me that there is a strong probability that some conflict or strife may take place between the miners I have referred to or the others who are en-'Reed in taking in supplies and those who would collect duties from them on the frimtier. Mr. President, I believe that this question is an important one; even more important, perhaps, than the decision of the Venezuelan boundary, because this question relates to the boundaries of our own country. It relates to peace between our own citizens and the citizens of tlie adjoining British Possessions. In my judgment, it is the duty of this Congress to facilitate in every proper way the adjustment of the question relating to this boundary line. It may be appropriate to give here a brief sketch of the history of the boundary survey. In 1872 General Grant, then President of the United States, anticipating that a postponement of the defi- nite marking of the boundary might involve future disputes, rec- ommended in his annual message the creation of a commission for setthng the boundary line. But the matter was allowed to drop, and nothing was done until President Cleveland, about fif- teen years later, again brought the subject forward by a reference to it in his message. In 1887 the Department of State inserted an item of $100,000 in the estimates for a preliminary survey of the boundary, but on this item no action was taken. In 1888, however, an appropriation of $20,000 was made for a preliminary survey, to be conducted by the Coast and Geodetic Survey in accordance with projects to be approved by the Secre- tary of State. Under this act two parties were organized in the spring of 1889 to ascend the Yukon and its affluent, the Porcu- pine, to determine by astronomical observations the intersection of the one hundred and forty-first meridian with these rivers. The party on the Porcupine accomplished its purpose during the following winter, while the party on the Yukon was compelled by adverse circumstances to spend two winters there. Small appropriations were annually made under the same word- ing as the act of October 2, 1HS8, referred to above, until the year 18132. when a convention was concluded at Washington, on July 22, 18D2, for ctmducting a coincident or joint survey "'with a view to the aac(!rtainment of the facts and data nccj.'ssary to the per- manent delimitation of said boundary line," that is, from latitude 54 ' 40' north to the point where it encounters the one hundred and forty-first meridian west of (Greenwich. Under this convention commissioners were appointed by the Governments of the United States and Great Britain, respectively. ' VKB- It was prescribed that the commissioners should complete their duties within two years from the date of their first meeting, but as this was found impracticable the time was extended to E^em- ber 81, 1895, by supplementary convention of February 3, 1894. The total amount appropriated under this convention was $60,- 000, and the surveys were conducted on behalf of the United States under the direction of the Sui)erintendents of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. The Alaskan boundary is conveniently divisible into two sec- tions: The first where it follows the contour of the coast from the southernmost point of Prince of Wales Island until it strikes the one hundref. all tho territory and dominion now possessed by his said Majesty on the continent of America and in the adjacent islands, the same being con- tained within the creographical limits herein set forth, to wit: The eastern limit is the line of demarcation between the Russian and the British posses- sions in North America as established by the convention between Russia and Great Britain of Pehruarv aS-lO, 182.5, and described in Articles III and IV of said convention in the f■; States). " Second. That wlienever the summit 't t!i> ;n>iuutains which extend In a direction parallel to the coast from the iil 6y sixth tlegroe of north latitude to the point of intersei^tion of the ono liundi*" d and forty-first degree of west longitude shall prove to \ie at a distance ot iinire than 10 marine leagues from the ocean, the limit between tho British pos-sc^^icms and the line of coast which is to belong to Knssia as above menti'med (that is to say. the limit to the pos- sessions coded by this convention) shall be formed by a lino parallel to the winding of the coast, and which shiiil never exceed the distan(;u ot 10 marine leagues therefrom.'"— f/dtfed StaO-a .'^tatufes at Large, volume 16, pages 539.540. The wording of the description of the boundary line, as a1)ove given, is identical with that contained in tho convention bi-tweon Russia and Great Britain of February :iS-lt». lH:i5, in Articles III and IV ther(M)f, save the follow Ing words '(now, by this cession, to the United States)," which oc(!urs in tho first paragraph of Arti4 degr6 40 minutes do latitude nord, et entrelo lllletlollW degre de longitude ouest (meridien de Greenwich). La dite ligne remontera au nord le long de la passe dite Portland Channel, jus- qu"au point de la torre ferine ou elli? atteint le 5rt degr6 latitude nord; de ce dernier point, la ligne de deniarcati >n suivra la crete des montagnes situ6es paralli^lenient d, la cote, justjuau point d'intersection du 141 degi-e de longi- tude oui'st (meme meridien); et, flnaloment, du dit point d'intersection la raeme li^fneniMridiennedu 141 dcarre formera dans son prolongement jusqu'A la Mer tilaciale la limite entro les Possessions Russes et Britanniques sur le continent do rAmeriijue nord-ouest.' "AriTirLE rV. " II est ontendu, par rapport H la ligne do demarcation determin6e dana I'Article precedent: ••'1. Quo I'ilo dite Priu. 3 of Wales appartiondra touto entidro & la Russie. '• '2. Que partout ou la crete des inonta'.'nes qui s'etendent dans une direc- tion parallme A la<:ote depuis le M il.'Rro de latitude nord au point d'inter- section du 141 degre de longitude o.i. The Americans liave quietly issued maps in w hich this territory, iti reality belonging to Canada as much as historic Quebec, is represented as forming part of Alaska, and, sorry to say, some of our own map makers have fallen into the snare, and, taking it for granted that the Americau claim is a valid one, have ' oorreoted ' Canadian maps accordingly." 1868 i 11 i The very latept official map of the Proviuco of British Columbia, iasaed under goveruiueutul authority and purportiiiK to be cuiupilud uuder direc- tion of Hon. Q. B. Martin, chief commissioner of lands and works at Victoria, British Columbia, shows the boundary line as proceeding; up thro'.t!.b Behm Canal, and, further, places in British Columbia the heads of the .uost valu- able bays and inlets and an area of valuable territory heretofore regarded aa and tacitly conceded by Canada to be the possessions of the United States, a part of which has been the subject of recent special legislation by our Federal Government. The committee has earnestly and diligently endeavored to ascertain upon what sound reasoning these pretensions are founded and in what mann<'r the Donunion of Cniiaducun logurnliy establish its claim to this rich territory, as said claim is manifested by othcial maps and the foregoing a.s8ertious. An exhaustive examination of the evidi^ice tliat is material or relevant, which the committee has been able to obtain, loads to the conclusion that these claijns, with the exception hereinafter mentioned, are founded on neither fact nor reason, and that the controversy, when once clearly under- stood, will be in a great measure stripped of its perplexities. The exception referred to is whet ner or not there exists a range of mountains " which extend in a direction parallel to the coast, from the flf ty-sixth degree of north latitude to the point of intersection of the one hundred and forty-llrst degree of west longitude," within the 10 marine league limit. To set lorth in extenso the evidence winch in the Judgment of the commit- tee would establish the cs troops were soon thereafter stationed at Fort Tongass, at the mouth of Portland Canal, and United States customs officials maintained at said point as late as Ifv^it, niictiiig with no protest from the Canadian Government or other powers of the world. Third. Tliat Behm Canal and Portland Canal were both well known at the time of the convention of 182.5 between Great Britain and Russia, and that Portland Canal was so named by that eminent British navigator, Capt. George Vancouver, in ITiKJ, and was one of the subjects of diplomatic correspondence between Englaml and Russia for several years immediately preceding the cotivi'ntioii I't l.';i"). Fourth. That for many years prior to the purchase of Alaska by the United States, that powerful Engli.sh commercial institution, the Hudsim Bay Fur Company, paid the Russian Government an annual stipend for the privilege of trading m the very inlets tJ'.at the Dominion of Canada now claims; that the compact iKstwoen that company and the ttrst-uamed Government it is be- lieved can be found among the Russian archives. Fifth. That if written evidence of such a cimipact can not be found, there are now living witnesses who can testify that the Hudson Bay Company paid the annual compt^nsation referred to as Uite as the year 1867, as the following letters from the Rev. William Duncan and the Indian secretary of the Metla- kahtla Indians will show ; On Boakd City or Topeka, Ai^ahkan Watkus, May S, 1895, Before leaving home for a trip to Sitka I received a letter from Mr. Miner Bruce, the exidorer, asking me to write! you any particulars I might happen t« know regarding th Most likely the littl what I know. First. In 186i I was locat(Ml at Fort Simpsoii, and was in constant daily in- tercourse with the officers of the Hudson Bay Coiniiany, who had a monopoly of tlie country at that time. From this intercourse I learned that all the country north of Portland Canal lK>l(iiiged to Russia, and for the privilege of trading with the Indians from that point, and as far as Chilcat, tiie Hudson Bay Commuy paidarentto theHus.siaii Governmeiit of l.dOtlottMr skins each year. It is not at all likely that a comiiany of such i)roportions as the Hudson Bay Company would consent to pay rent for territory of which there was uncertainty as to ownership. That coinnany would most assuredly be well acquainted with the mujw which assignod the territory to Russia, or it would liave never made the agreement with Russia which it did. Nor did those o£* 1058 12 fleers during all the years I was in dally intercourse with them ever hint at a doubt as to the boundary from which Russian claims started. Second. I have known lawbreakers to escape to Tongass from justice, being, while there, out of the jurisdiction of Britisn Columbia. Third. When the United States purchased Alaska, a corps of soldiers was stationed at Tongass and continued there for years in undisputed control. Fourth. On my migrating with over 8()0 Indians from British Columbia In 1887, we had to call at Fort Tongass and give an account of our belongings. I paid the customs ofllcers overjfl,000 to bring my goods into Alaska. The customs authorities resided at Tongass, just over the inlet called Portland Canal. Yours, truly, WM. DUNCAN. J. B. Metcaltb, Esq., Seattle, Wash. MsTIiAKAHTLA, ALASKA, Afay SI, 1805. Dear Sir: Since the report reached us of the controversy which is going on between Canada and the United States concerning the boundary line be- tween British Columbia and Alaska, we have met to discuss the matter. The information which we have to offer on the subject is: First. When we left our old liome in British Columbia we wore regarded as foreigners by the Canadian authorities. Second. In the summer of 1887, when we migrated to Alaska, Port Ton- gass, just over Portland Inlet, was a port of entry. We had to pay duty to a custom-house officer residing there on all dutiable articles we brouglit over to this country. Third. We employed three small steamers to convey over our bolongings, one of which the custom-house officer at Port Simpson tried to dotiiin as coming from a foreign country. We liad to receive our clearance papers at Port Simpson before coming over to Alaska. Fouith. Having got over to Annette Island, the Canadian Indian agent at Metliikalitla, British Columbia, ceased to have any control over us, wliich would not have been the case (such was the animus of the man) if the bound- ary lino had been doubtful. We remain, truly yours, Thk People of Metlakahtla, Alaska, D. LEASK, Secretary. J. B. Metcalfe, Esq., Seattle, Wash. Sixth. That the Rov. Mr. Duncan, having become engaged in a controversy with his religious superiors sent out to overlook his charge of the M<'tla ipeaii' ' himself and his 8iK> Indians away from their control or molestation, and that kahtla Indians, aiipeali-d to the Congress of the United States for a haven for by an act of Congress approved March 3, l.s'.tl (cliapt(fr 501, section 15, United States Statutes at Large, volume 3(1, page IMl), Annette Island was set aside for his use. ThenewMetlakahtlaisnowa thriving community, with churches and schor)Is, and self-sustaining industries carried on by these Indians, and that Canada had not at that time announced the present claim or any claim to this island. Seventh. That it can be shown that the process of the British Columbia courts were never attemptod to be served on the north side of Portland Ca- nal on offenders against British Columbia laws. Eighth. Tliat it is conceded by the press, and also officials of British Colum- bia, that some one has blundiM'od and that the official maps of that province, recognized by Canada, have to l)e "corrected." and say that "the Dominion officials have followed, sheep like, in tlie track of tlie United States diplo- matists. Luckily, their stupidity in lazily copying the blunder of the pub- lic servants of the United States did not legalize wliat is manifestly an error. It is not too late to correct tlii> mistake that )ias been made." Tlie utterance of Premier Turner is to tlie same effect, "The Canadians will have to repu- diate some of their own maps." The foregoing references are made to show that the facts therein set forth reasonal)Iy constitute a tacit admission by Canada of the proprietorship of the United States in the now contested territory, since during all tlie time mentioned the open and well-known possession thereof and the exercise of governmental control over the same by the United States has never been, until recently, assailed nor questioned. CONSTRUOnON OF THE OONVKNTION OF 1«S«. The committee has heretofore alluded to what appears to be an illogical construction given to the terms of Article III and IV of the convention of 1825, which are identical with those of Artii^lo I of the convention of 1807, wherein the description of the boundary line is recited. A careful perusal of 1058 II the duacription fixes the initial point at Cape Chacon, at the soathernmost point of Prince of Wales Island. Tlie first call of the description thon reads, " The said line ahall iiacend to the nurtti alonj; the channel called Portland Channel, as fur as the point of the continent where it strikes the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude." The southornmost point of Prince of Wales Island is on the line of 64* W north latitude, and the entrance of Portland Canal is due fast from said point about 5(( or (K) miles. The Canadian contention is that Bohm Canal is meant, because you can only "ascend to the north " from the initial point through that channel. Literally this is true, but the construction disregards the ob- ject to which the line is carried by the words " sluill ascend to the north along the channel called Portland Channel." The familiar doctrine that courses and distances will be controlled by monuments does not seem to have been taken into consideration. Aftain, it is contmuled that Portland Canal is not intended, because Port- land Canal does not "strike the flfty-sixth degree of north latitude," and that Belim Canal does, and was therefore intended. This interpretation is also unwarranted by the language used, fortlio p'ain reading shows that the lino is the subject, and not the canal. In other words, tlie Inie "shall ascend to the north," etc , as far as tlie point of the continent where it, the line, strikes the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude. The bou:;d!iry line from this point northwe.sterly to Mount St. Elias, as shown by the oliicial map of British Columbia, is arbitrarily drawn, and .seems not only to hold in contempt tlie language of the description in Article IV, before mentioned, but takes no note of the physical facts. The language, it appears to the committcM*, can sustain no other interpretation than tliat "whenever the summit of the mountains which extend in a direction parallel to the coast * ♦ ♦ shall prove to Ijo at a distance of more than 10 marine leagues from the Tcean, * ♦ » theliinit * * * shall Informed by a line parallel to the windings of the coast, and which shall never exceed the dis- tance of 10 marine leagues therefrom." How this line, which must follow the summit of the mountain-; which extend in a direction parallel to the coast, and where no mountains exist witiiin the prescnbi-d 10 marine leagues, must bo parallel wi. li the "windings of the coast," (;au, with uni:oiitroUed license, sever the heads <;!" the great bays and inlets, spring from slioro to shore, ami leap across the groat arms of these inland waters, the committee has not yet bt^en able to grasp. To the words " ten marine leagues from the ocean " is also given the con- struction that this distance! sliould bi^ measui-ed I'rom the outlying islands. This can not \w sustained, because the point wliere the line strikes tli'> tlity- sixth degree of north latitude at the head of Portland Canal is about tlie pre- 8cril)od (listance. and it tlieu follows the windings of thecoast of the conti- Qent and not that of the ishiuds. Tlie committee is persuadeil that this entire interpretation (!an be safely overthrowu and the contention of the United States ostal)lished Ixjfore any impartial tribunal. An exaHiination of the diplomatic correspondence car- ried on liotween the distinguislicd representatives of tlie Kussianarid British Governments coruilusively establishes the intention of both the liigh con- tracting parties as t) this vei-y line. Thi-i (iorre-^ponih-iKiu was carried on from thecities of ,St. Petersburi; and Loudon for the space of several years, andculminated in the convention of 18^5. At the beginning of these commu- nications the liussian chancellor directs the Russian aml)assador at London as follows: " In order not to cut the ialand.of Prince of Wales, which, according to that arrangt^ment, should rest with Itussia, we would ])roi)i>so to take the southern frontier of our domain to 51^ W of latitude, and to make it abut on the con- tinent at the Portland (!anal, of which the emb luchere into the ocean is oflt the island of Prince of Wales, and its origin is in the continent between the fifty-fifth and flfty-si.xth degrees of latitiide." Tnis nroiiosition is i)ractically maintained throughout the many negotia- tions wliich occurred, and is faii'ly admitted by the British plenipotentiary in his final communication to his (iovormnent at the time of the execution of said convention. As to the disagreement T'pon the facts: If the reports in the press of British Columbia bti true, it is strenuously contended tliat there exists a ranpe of mountains v, ithin the 10 marine leagues limit, and it is stated that the main ef- fortsof theCanadianengine(M'sai'e(lirected to the(>stablishment of I hat range. In this connection, the committee called upon Mr. PliiUip A. Walker, one o'.' thecorpsof engineers which has lieen engag"don the part of the United Stateii in surveying the disi)uted territory, and he informed us a few days since thaU the result of their labors established, without doubt, that no range of moun- tains exists. Tlie outi)ut from the resr)uri , s of Alaska since its purchase by the United States runs into the millions fai in excess of its purc-ha.se price, and its com- IBW 2