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€A 
 
 
 I 
 
Printed for the use of the Foreign Office. June 1888. 
 
 €ONFIDENTIAL. 
 (6634.) 
 
 PART II. 
 
 FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 KBSPIOTIKa VEH 
 
 BOUNDAEY 
 
 BETWEEN THE 
 
 BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA 
 
 Ami THE 
 
 TERRITORY OF ALASKA. 
 
 1887. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 No. 
 
 Name. 
 
 No. 
 
 Date. 
 
 SOIJKCT. 
 
 Pag« 
 
 1 
 
 To Colonial Office .. 
 
 • • 
 
 Jan. 11, 1887 
 
 Refers to Colonial Office of Irt December. 
 Viewi nith regard to Colonel Oameron'a 
 suggestion that Her Majesty's Oorernment 
 should endearour to acquire a strip of 
 Alaskan territory from United Stales' Go- 
 Temraent 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 Sir L. Weit 
 
 3 
 
 7, 
 
 Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on pre- 
 liminary survey of Convention tmundary-line 
 between Alaska and Hritish Columbia .. 
 
 I 
 
 a 
 
 To Colonial Office .. 
 
 •• 
 
 22. 
 
 Copy of Sir L. Wert's No. 268 of the Irt De- 
 comber, 1886.. 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 »l »» •• 
 
 , , 
 
 29, 
 
 Copy of No. 2 . . . . . . • • 
 
 3 
 
 fi 
 
 Sir L. Weit 
 
 14 
 
 19, 
 
 Amendment in Sundry Civil F.zpenses Bill 
 providing for expenses of preliminary recon- 
 iiaisjancu of boundary-line between Alaska 
 and British Columbia . . . . , , 
 
 i 
 
 6 
 
 To Colonial Office .- 
 
 ^, 
 
 Feb. 22, 
 
 Copy of Inclosure in No. S .. .. 
 
 i 
 
 7 
 
 Sir L. West 
 
 64 
 
 Mar. 9, 
 
 Refers to Nn. S. Congress has refused appro- 
 priation for preliminary survey of boundary 
 betwccu Alaska and British Columbia 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 
 Colonial Office 
 
 • • 
 
 May 16, 
 
 Ciovernor-Genural of Canada asks for accurate 
 copy of Treaty of 1 828. . 
 
 3 
 
 9 
 
 Memorandum by Sir 
 E. HerUlel 
 
 • • 
 
 27, 
 
 Refers to No. 8, On request of Governor- 
 General of Canada for accu-'.T copy of 
 Treaty of 1825 
 
 3 
 
 lU 
 
 To Colonial Office .. 
 
 ConfidcDtial 
 
 June 14, 
 
 Confidential I'rint, 1886 .. 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 II ,1 .. 
 
 •• 
 
 16, 
 
 Refers to No. 8. Copy of No. 9, and print<d 
 papers 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 To Sir L. Wert 
 
 140 
 Confidential 
 
 25, 
 
 Confid-ntial Print, 188C .. 
 
 4 
 
 )3 
 
 Colonial Office ., 
 
 ••• 
 
 July 11, 
 
 Despatch from C.mada calling attention to 
 certain points in Report on reconnaissance 
 in Alaska in 1883 by Lieutenant Sch-atka, 
 of Ciiited States' army ., .. 
 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 To Colonial Office .. 
 
 • • 
 
 Aug. 2, 
 
 Refers to No. 13. Sends draft to .Sir I> West 
 nn Lieutenant Schwstka's Re|K>rt for con- 
 currence 
 
 S 
 
 15 
 
 Colonial Office .. 
 
 • • 
 
 19, 
 
 Refers to No. 14. Concurs in draft to Sir 
 L Wert 
 
 8 
 
 16 
 
 To Sir L. Went 
 
 206 
 
 20, 
 
 Refers to No. H. Copy of No. 13. To oil 
 Mr. bayard's attention to course adopted by 
 Lieutenant Schwatka . . 
 
 8 
 
 17 
 
 Sir L. Wort 
 
 267 
 
 Sept. 18, 
 
 Refers to No, 16. Has called Mr. Uayard's 
 attention to course adopted by Lieutenant 
 Schwatka 
 
 9 
 
 IB 
 
 *i »i • • 
 
 S70 
 
 18, 
 
 Refers to No. 17. Note from Mr. Bayard 
 acknowledging commuuicatioD with regard 
 to Lieutenant Schwatka 
 
 10 
 
 [124j 
 
Printed for the tue of the Foreign Office. June 1888. 
 
 Ptgt, 
 
 CONFIDENTIAL. 
 
 Further Correspondence respecting the Boundary between the 
 British Possessions in North America and the Territory of 
 Alaska. 
 
 Part II. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Sir J. Pauncefote to Sir R. Herbert. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, January 11, 1887- 
 
 I LAID before the Earl of Iddcslcigh your letter of the Ist ultimo, asking for his 
 Lordship's opinion with regard to a suggestion made by Colonel Cameron for acquiring 
 from the United States the strip of Alaska territory from Pearse's Channel to 141° west, 
 which intervenes between the Dominion of Canada and the sea. 
 
 I am directed by his Lordship to request that you will inform the Secretary of State 
 for the Colonies, that he considers that the solution suggested by Colonel Cameron 
 would be very satisfactory to this country, but, before deciding as to instructing Her 
 Majesty's Minister at Washington to sound Mr. Secretary Bayard on the subject, Lord 
 Iddesleigh thinks that it would be desirable that Her Majesty's Government should learn 
 the views of the Canadian Government, and what financial engagements they would be 
 prepared to undertake for the object proposed by Colonel Cameron. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
 
 10 
 
 ! No. 2. 
 
 Sir L. West to the Earl of Iddesleigh. — (Received January 18.) 
 (No. 3.) 
 My Lord, Washington, January 7, 1887. 
 
 I IIAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that an amendment to the Sundry 
 Civil Appropriation Bill to provide for the expense of a preliminary survey of the Con- 
 vention boundary-lir; Jietwcen Alaska and British Colombia has been favourably reported 
 by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) L. S. SACKVILLE WEST. 
 
 No. 3. 
 Sir P. Currie to Sir R. Herbert. 
 
 Foreign Office, January 22, 1887. 
 
 [Transmits copy of Sir L. West's No. 2G8 of December 1, 188G, with duplicates of 
 
 Maps.] 
 
 [124] 
 
 B 
 
s 
 
 Sir P. Currie to Sir R. Herbert. 
 
 Foreign Office, January 29, 1887. 
 Transmits copy of Sir L. West's No. 3 of January 7, 1887 : ante. No. 2.] 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 Sir L, West to the Marquis of Salisbury . — [Received February 11.) 
 (No. 14.) 
 
 My Lord, Washington, January 19, 1887. 
 
 \ WITH reference to my despatch No. 237 of the 22nd October last, 1 have the 
 
 I honour to inclose to your Lordship iierewith copy of an amendment embodied in the 
 1 Sundry Civil Expenses Bill, which provides for the expenses of it preliminary reconnais- 
 Isance to examine the boundary-line between Alaska and British Columbia. 
 ' I have, &c. 
 
 (Signed) L. S. S.\CKVILLE WEST. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 6. 
 
 • Amendment embodied in the Sundry Civil Expenses Bill. 
 
 FOR the expenses of a preliminary reconnaissance, to be made under the direction 
 of the Secretary of the Navy, to examine tlie configuration of the Conventional boundary- 
 line. between Alaska and British Columbia, following the coast from Portland Channel to 
 the lilst meridian, and to ascertain and report how far the natural features of the 
 country permit the accurate location of the line of demarcation contemplated by the 
 Ilird and IVth Articles of the Convention between Great Britain and Rus-aia of the UStb 
 February, 1825, which boundary is reallirmed in the Treaty of 18G7, whereby lituuia 
 ceded the territory of Alaska to the United States, 50,000 dollars, to be immediately 
 available ; and the officer conducting cuch rcconiiai.ssanre shall make such lecommenda- 
 tions touching the practical establishment of the boundary-line as iu liLs judgment may 
 be necessary. 
 
 No. G. 
 
 Sir P. Currie to Sir R. Herbsrt. 
 
 Sir, ' Foreii/n Office, February 22, 1887. 
 
 WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the Otii November last, 1 transmit 
 to you copies received from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington of an Appropriation 
 Act passed by the United States' Senate ;* and I am to request that, in laying this letter 
 before Sir H. Holland, you will call iiis attention to the passage on pp. 49, 50, which 
 provides for the expenses of a preliminary reconnaissance to examine the boundary-line 
 Wtween Alaska and British Colombia 
 
 I am, &c. 
 ' (Signed) P. CURRIE. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Sir L. West to the Marquis of Salisbury. — (Received March 21.) 
 (No. 64.) 
 My Lord, Washington, March 9, 1887. 
 
 WITH reference to my despatch No. 14 of the 19th January last, I have the honour 
 to inform your Lordship that Congress has refused the appi'0|)riation for tb-? preliminary 
 survey of the boundary' between Alaska and British (.'olombiu. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) L. S. SACKVILLE WEST. 
 
 • lDclo<iiirc in \o. 5. 
 
8 .-,;«, 
 
 No, 8. 
 
 Colonial Office to Foreign Office. — (Received May 1 7.) 
 
 Sir, Downinij Street, May 16, 1887. 
 
 I AM (lirectfd by the Secretary of Stuti- for the (.'oionies to transmit to you, to be 
 laid before the Maniuis of Salisljury, copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of 
 Canada, requesting to be furnished with an accurate copy of the Treaty of 1825. 
 
 I am to request tiiat you will move Lord Salisbury to cause an accurate and duly 
 attested copy of tlio Treaty in <)ueslion, to be forwarded to me for transmission to 
 Canada. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (S-gned) .JOHN BRAMSTON. 
 
 Inciosurc in No. 8. 
 The Marquis of Lansdowne to Sir II. T. Holland. 
 
 Sir, Government House. Ottawa, April 28, 1887. 
 
 AT the instance of my Minister of the Interior, 1 have tiie nonour to make applica- 
 tion for an accurate and duly attested copy in the language in which it was originally 
 written, and also of the transiation from such iimi:;uage which was accepted by the Mritish 
 Plenipotentiary, of the Treaty of 1825, delining tlie boundary between the British 
 possessions ol Nortli America, and the territory of Alaska, 
 
 Such versions of the text of the said Treaty as arc at present at the disposal of my 
 Minister, do not precisely agree, and are conseciuently presumed to be mere reprints or 
 copies from otiier copies. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) LANSDOWNE. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 Memorandum by Sir E. Hertslet. 
 
 A COPY of the Convention with Russia of the IGfch (28th) February, 182.'i, is sent 
 herewith, as well as a copy o( the liutijication of that Convention. 
 
 They have both been co[)ied from the ori<;inals, and have been carefully compared. 
 
 They are exact in their wording, but (iilFer considerably in their punctuation, and this 
 is of great importance with reference to Article III. Colonel Cameron drew specially r 
 attention to the punctuation of this Article in liis Memorandum for the Colonial CJffice of I 
 the 9th April, 1886. (See p. 48 of Print.) In the Convention the words are : " La dite 
 lignc remontera an nord le long de la |)a.sse, dite Portland Channel, jus(]u'uu point de la 
 terre ferme ou elic atteint le 56' degr6 dc latitude nord;" but in the Ratification the 
 passage runs thus : " La dite ligne remontera au nord le long de la passe ditc Portland '; 
 Channel jusqu'au point de la terre lerme ou clle atteint le 56° dcgre de latitude nord," 
 without any commas being placed after the words passe and Channel, which makes ail the ' 
 difference in the sense of the Article. i 
 
 The Governor-General of Canada asks for a copy of the translation from the Treaty \ 
 which was accepted by the British Plenipotentiary, but it does not exist in our archives, j 
 nor would it appear to exist in the archives of the Embassy at St. Petersburgh, for ' 
 when Sir 11. Morier was written to on the subject in April last year he replied that the 
 original documents and maps used during the negotiations precedent to the conclusion of • 
 the Convention of 182.') could not be found. (See p. 54 of Print.) ' 
 
 The Convention was signed in French only ; but a translation of it in English was j 
 laid before Parliament with the French version in 182"). l 
 
 Before sending the copy of the Convention and of the Iliitification to the Colonial 
 Office, I conclude they should be certified by Sir .Julian Pauncefote as boin:; correct copies 
 from the original documents in the possession of Her Majesty's Government. The original 
 Convention is here ; but the Ratification is at the Public Record Office. 
 
 E H 
 
 May 27, 1887. 
 
4 
 
 No. 10. 
 Foreign Office to Colonial Office. 
 (Confidential.) Foreiyn Office, June U, 18H^. 
 
 [Transmits Confidential Print (Alaska Boundary) 1886 (.MSg).] 
 
 No. 11. 
 Foreign Office to Colonial Office. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, June 16, 1887. 
 
 IN reply to your letter of the 16tli ultimo requestting u certified copy of the Conven- 
 tion with Russia dated the 28th February, 1825, rcspectini; the Alaska boundary for 
 transmission to the Government of Canada, I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to 
 transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir H. 1 iolland, a copy of a Memorandum by 
 the Librarian of this Department on the subject.* 
 
 I am also to inclose tranblation of the Convention in question as laid before Parlia- 
 ment, and also certified copies from the original of tiic Convention and of the Katifica- 
 tion.t 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) P. CURRIE. 
 
 No. 12. 
 The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir L. West. 
 
 (No. 140. Confidential.) Foreign Office, June 2b, \ShT. 
 
 [Transmits Confidential Print (Alaska Boundary) 1886 (5439).] 
 
 No. 13. 
 Colonial Office to Foreign Office. — {Received July 11.) 
 
 Sir, Downing Street, July 11, 1887. 
 
 I AM directed by Secretary Sir Henry Holland to transmit to yoa, to be laid before 
 the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, 
 calling attention to certain points in the report of a reconnaisance in Alaska in 1883 
 made by Lieutenant Sehwatka, of the United States' army. 
 
 Sir Henry Holland referred this despatch to Colonel Cameron, R.A., who has 
 recently been engaged in examining records relating to the Alaska Boundary question, 
 and I am to inclose a copy of a letter containing his observations upon the subject. 
 
 I am tc request to be informed of any communication which Lord Salisbury may 
 think proper to make to the United States' Government upon the matters referred to in 
 these papers. 
 
 It would seem desirable that the error as to the position of Fort Selkirk should be 
 corrected, and Lord Salisbury may perhaps think it right to take an opportunity, when 
 conversing with the United States' Minister, of calling his attention to the statement in 
 paragraph 2 of the Marquis of Lansdowne'ti despatch as to Lieutenant Sehwatka baring 
 travelled without permission in Canadian territory whilst engaged in his military 
 xeconnaissance. 
 
 I am, &e. 
 (Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. 
 
 • No. 9. 
 
 t Not printed. 
 
IncIoMire 1 in No. 13, 
 
 The Mnrquin of Lantdoicne lo Sir 11. Holland, 
 (Secret.) 
 Sir, GovernmenI Home, Ottawa, April lU, 1887. 
 
 I HAVK the honour to inclotie copy of a Report by Mr. liurf;o8M, Dc^iiity of th'.* 
 Minister of the Interior, dealing with the subject of the military rcconnnisHimcu in AlaHkn 
 made in 1883 by LiuutLMinnt Frederick Schwntka, of the United StatcH' army, under 
 iuMtructions from the United Statcn' Secretary ol War, which ha8 been handed to me by 
 my MiniHtcr of tlic Interior. 
 
 You will obHcrve that Lieutcnuit Hchwatka, while engaged on his "military 
 reconnaissance " in A la.ska, traversed British territory for a considerable distance without 
 
 ETmission from my Government, or, as far as I am aware, from that of Her Majesty, 
 is not probable that such i>erraimion would have been refused had it i)een applied for, 
 aotl my Qovernmcnt does not desire to atiiicb undue importiincu to this incident. 
 
 It iit QOtcworthy that Lieutenant SchuatJui's Itepurt contains a distinct admission of 
 "the fact that the country beyond the Kotush Mountains lies in British territory," an 
 admission which may be of u.se in the event of any discussion hereafter arising iu regard 
 to the location of the frontier. 
 
 I may also call your attention to the second of the two points to which ^fr. Durgess 
 especially refers, viz., that the United States' Secretary of War, in his despatch of the 
 Ist December, 18H4, speaks of Fort Selkirk on the Yukon River as being situated 
 in Alaska. As this claim would certainly not be admitted by my Government, it is 
 desirable that some opportunity should be found for making the Russian* Government 
 aware that we regard Fort Selkirk as being in Canadian territory. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) LANSDOWNE. 
 
 Inclosarc 2 in No. 13. 
 
 Mr. Burgers to Mr. White. 
 (Secret.) , 
 
 Sir, Department of the Interior, Ottawa, March 23, 1887. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to direct your attention in writing, as I have nlnoily done 
 verbnll), to the report of the niilifary reconnaiasance in Alaska made in 1883 by Lieu- 
 tenant Frederick Schwatkn, of the United States' army, under instructions from the 
 United Stotes' Secretary of War. The Report mentioned is submitted herewith. 
 
 On the 7th April, 188;}, Lieutenant Schwatkn was instnictcd by the Brisadier- 
 Genornl commanding the Department of the Columbia to proceed to Alaska, for the 
 purpose of gathering all information that could be obtained that would be valuable and 
 important, especially to the niiliiary branch of the Government. In pursuance of those 
 instructions, Lieutenant Sciiwatka left Portland, Oregon, on the 22nd May, 1883, and, 
 as stated on the 12th page of his Report, his instructions being to endeavour to complete 
 all information in each section of the country before proceeding to another, he had 
 chosen the valley of the Yukon River as that district of the most importance in the 
 territory, and of which little or nothing was known in a military sense; and because of 
 the slow progress that had been made in previous explorations from the mouth ot this 
 river, on account of the swiftness of the current, he had concluded that he could best 
 serve his purpose by descending it from its head. Early in the month of June he 
 proceeded to carry out this purpose by sailing up the Chilkoot Inlet, and by way of 
 Perrier Pass he reached Crater T^ake, the head of the Yukon River, on the 11th June. 
 On p. 20 of his Report he states: "The fact that the country beyond I'errier Pass, in the 
 Kotush Mountains, lies in British territorj* (as shown by our astronomical observations 
 and other geographical determinations when brought back and worked out), lessens the 
 interest of this trail beyond the jiass to the military authorities of our Government ;" 
 and yet for the distance of 7833 miles, which he himself states to be the length of the 
 Yukon River within British America, he prosecuted his military reconnaissances through 
 the territory of a friendly country. True, the Brigadier-General commanding, in his 
 despatch forwarding Lieutenant Schwatka's Report to Division Head-quarters, on the 
 15th May, 18S4, states that "that part of the Report which embraces a survey of a 
 portion of British America, with description of the same, was not called for by the letter 
 
 [124] 
 
 • Qg. United State*. 
 

 
 V)f inHtructiniiH ;" while t)ic public-iition of ho much of tlie Report an hnd appcnrcil in 
 
 IariouH newNpiiporH and niuf^nzines, prior to ittt being Huhmittcd to the military authori- 
 icH, " has been disapproved." 
 
 A copy of tlie Ifeport wna duly submitted by the Secretary of War to the United 
 States' Senate, by a desputch diited the iHt December, 1HH4, in which it in deHeril>«'d aH 
 •' the olficial IU))ort of Ijieiitenimt Frederick Hcliwiitka, Jlrd Cavalry, of \m military 
 reconnaissance of 188.^, from Chilkoot Inlet, Alaska, to Fort Selkirk, on Yukon Uivcr, 
 AlasLii, in compliance with the RcHoiution of the Senate of the 18th April, 1884." 
 
 There aie two pointH to which 1 think it it* desirable to direct your particular 
 attention : — 
 
 I. That the expedition conducted by Tiicutenant Schwntka wai' an invasion of the 
 territory of a friendly country. 
 
 ii. That the United States' Secretary of War, in his despatch of the 1st December, 
 
 1884, already referred to, speaks of Fort l^elkirk, on the Yukon River, a» beinf^ situated 
 
 in Alaska, in defiance of the well-known fact that Fort Selkirk is within Canadian 
 
 i territory — a fact which in admitted and proved by Lieutenant Schwatkas survey of the 
 
 i Yukon River, in so for as that survey can be said to have proved anything. 
 
 \ I respectfully submit tliat at the present time this matter is deserving of, and ought 
 
 to receive, attention at the bands of the Government of Canada. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 y (Signed) A. M. BURGESS, 
 
 '' , '• Defiuii/ of Ihe Minister of the Interior. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 13. 
 Colonel Cameron, R.A., to Colonial Office. 
 
 Sir, ISIieemess, May 30, 1887. 
 
 IN returning the despatch of the lOth April, 1887, from his Excellency the 
 Governor-General of Canada, with accompanying cornvspondence transmitted to me on 
 the 16th instant, I have the honour, in compliance with the desire of the Secretary of 
 State, to submit the following remarks for liis consideration. 
 
 My attention has been directed by the correspondence now returned to two 
 questions, viz. : — 
 
 Is the Fort Selkirk referred to by Lieutenant Schwatka, of the United States' armjr, 
 in his "Report of a Military Reconnaissance in Alaska made in 1883," in British or m 
 United States' territory ? 
 
 Is importance attachable to the statement by Lieutenant Schwatka (see p. 20 of his 
 Report, that " the fact that the country beyond Perrier Pass, in the Kotush Mountains, 
 lies in British territory (as shown by liis party's astronomical observations, and other 
 geographical determinations when brought back and worked out), lessened the interest 
 of this trail beyond the pass to the military authorities of the United States* 
 Government ? 
 
 Premising that no opinion nor decision by Lieutenant Schwatka can be accepted ad 
 internationally authoritative with regard to the boundary between Alaska and Hor 
 Majesty's territories, I nevertheless have no doubt that his sta., iments that the site of 
 Fort Selkirk and the country north of Perrier Pass are in BritiFi territory, will prove to 
 be quite correct. 
 
 The suggestion that the United States' Government consider the site of Fort 
 Selkirk as being in United States' territory is apjjarently due to an error in the wording 
 of the Resolution adopted by the United States' Senate on the 18th April, 1884, in which 
 the reconniiissance is described as extending from "Chilkout Inlet, Alaska, to Fort 
 Selkirk, on Yukon River, Alaska "(see p. 1 of the Report " Ex. Doc. No. 2, 48th Congress, 
 2nd jJession — Senate "). 
 
 This error may easily be traced to Lieutenant Schwatka's re-naming of streams be 
 followed. 
 
 His Report was not rendered, even in manuscript, to the military autho"*i'}s until 
 some time after the Resolution in the Senate had been adopted, and wps nc- '. n smitted 
 to the Government until over six months thereafter. 
 
 Lieutenant Schwatka's instructions had been to carry out a recornaisM!?. ■ .vithin 
 Alaska, and, consequently, the framcr of the Resolution not having the Lepoit to ofcrto, 
 woidd naturally assume that the terminal points of the reconnaissance vicv. '\r. Maska, 
 and would so describe them. Jloreover, the name '"Yukon River" i' •(! firmerly 
 been limited to the stream wholly within United States' Alfl.ska, from tin 'tMction of 
 Porcupine and Felly Rivers; but Lieutenant Schwatka (see Report, p. 33; re-namccl 
 
two 
 
 Lawen RiviT, ciillin;? it " Yukon River," ami oxtondcd tlio snnie name to 2f 1 mil<w of 
 Pelljr nivor ttie continuation of his route to llie cotnincncoincnt of tho Htrcani i)ruvi<iuftly 
 known iw Yukon River, at the intiow of Porcujtino River. 
 
 f'onHi'quentiy it mi^ht wull he that the friinior of the United States' Senate Roho- 
 lution, luivinjf learnt that Helnvatlin'H party piaccil Fort Selkirk on the Yukon, did not 
 know that the River T'elly wiih niennt, an(l naturally nMunied the ,j08ition wuh on tliu 
 Yukon in I'nited States' territory. 
 
 Tho recurrenee of the error in tuc littern o( the United Stoten' military niitiioritioB 
 arc more (juotii''')ns of the Senate's Resolution. 
 
 There is, however, no douhl as to [jieutenant Schwatka's opinion. 
 
 Tlie title of Map No. 5 attached to !iis Keport notes that I'urt 2 extends " from 
 Fort Selkirk, h.C, to Fort Yukon, Aliiaka." " R.C." hero stands for " llrilisU 
 Columhiu." 
 
 Fort Selkirk is shown on this Map as opposite 1. 1 iflow of Pelly River. 
 
 At p. ■')3 of his Report fiicutcnant Schwatka '^ivc-t the latitude and longitude of tho 
 aito of Port Selkirk (destroyed in lHr)l) as fi'J ^ 5' .10" north, and i;»7 ^2' 4o' west 
 (Oreenwich), hut Her Majesty's territory by i oaty e'onds fnrtlcr west, to 111 west, 
 as Lieutenant Schwatka well knew (sue hiii iti..i-iary, p. 47 of his Report. 
 
 If it he deemed desirable to afford tht. United Stales' (Government an opportunity to 
 c.irrect the error in the Senate Resolution, I have littK doubt they would immediately 
 do so were their attention drawn to the point 'ty a simple inquiry whether it is » bo 
 understood that they consider the site of Foil Sel'irk to be in United States' terrii*»ry, 
 as indicated Ijy the Senate Resolution of the 18th April, 1884. 
 
 The reference to I'crricr Pa.s8 by Lieutenant Schwatka is, I recret to say, of a much 
 }e88 satisfactory character. 
 
 It cannot be admitted that the watershed line when within 10 marine leagues of tho 
 ocean is the location of the boundary defined by the Treaty with Russia of 1825, for this 
 would be equivalent to concediuf; thot 10 nwirine leagues is to be the unvarying breadth 
 of United States' coast territory in South Alaska, a concession opposed to the terms of 
 the 'J'rcaty. 
 
 Nor can it be admitted that the distance from the ocean is to be uicasurcd from the 
 heads of creeks and inlets. 
 
 I believe Perrier Pass is far beyond 10 nmrine leagues inland from the ocean, and 
 that there in a line of mountain crests, intercepted it is true by Lynn Channel, of which 
 Chilkoot Inlet forms a part, much closer than 10 marine leagues to the ocean coast- 
 line. 
 
 It would not, however, T think, be advisable to raise an exceptional discussion on 
 this point with the United States' Government if there be any jirospect that an 
 opportunity may hereafter be found for dealing with the whole British Alaskan boundary 
 at one time. 
 
 In the correspondence that took place with reference to the Stickecn River 
 Customs, and the demand by tho Unitcl States' Government that a prisoner conveyed 
 through United States' territory there should be released by the Canadian authorities, 
 there was, unfortunately, introduced an argument founded on the locatioii of the 
 boundary at the spot. 
 
 Decision.'* thus lurived at will very mneh interfere with negotiations in which 
 recourse to mutual yielding may be necessary when the (jucstion of the whole boundary 
 is being dealt with. 
 
 For these reasons, I would respectfully submit for consideration that cither the 
 Senate Resolution and Lieutenant Schwatka's Report may be wholly ignored by Her 
 Majesty's Government, or, if the Senate tlesolution bo touched on, then at the same 
 time the United States' Government should be informed that Her Majesty's Government 
 having noted that liieutenant Schwatka has indicated in his Report two points at which 
 he determined the international boundary to be, Perrier Pass and 141° west longitude, 
 cannot accord even qualified assent to those determinations. 
 
 To the justice of such an intimation the United States could hardly take exception, 
 since Her Majesty's Government have more than once expressed their desire that an 
 international adjustment of the line should be effected. 
 
 I have to apologize for the delay which has occurred in making the foregoing reply 
 to your letter of the Kith instnnt. I was away from Shecrness then, and did nol. '•cturn 
 until the 2.'ird instant, when further delay was cause! by my not having a copy of 
 Lieutenant Schwatka's Report to which to refer. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) D. R. CAMl-ROX. 
 
8 
 
 ,v,'. , , >/,Vy'-'':'''^ No. 14. 
 
 Foreign Office to Colonial Office. 
 
 Sir, Fomjm 0^'cc, August 2, 1887. 
 
 IN reply to your letter of tlie 11th ultimo, I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury 
 to transmit to you a draft of a despatch which his Lordship proposes to address to Her 
 Majesty's Minister at Wasliington in regard to Lieutenant Schwatka's Report of the 
 reconnaissance made by him in Alaska in 1883.* 
 
 I am to request that, in laying the same before Sir H. Hollaed, you will move him to 
 inform Lord Salisbury whether lie concurs in its terms. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
 
 ■ . ■ . ; ' ;- No. 15. 
 Colonial Office to Foreign Office. — (Received August 20.) 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Downing Street, August 19, 1887. 
 I AM directed by Secretary Sir Henry Holland to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter of the 2nd instant, and to state that he concurs in tiie terms of the communication 
 which the Marquis of Salisbury proposes to address to the United States' Government 
 with reference to Lieutenant Schwatka's Report on his reconnaissance in Alaska. 
 The inclosure to your letter is returned herewith. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 : (Signed) R. H. MEADE. 
 
 No. 16. 
 
 The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir L. West. 
 (No. 206.) 
 Sir, V 'v Foreign Office, August 20, \9,%7. 
 
 WITH reference to your despatch No. 14 of the 19th January last, and to previous 
 correspondence relating to the question of the boundary between Alaska and British 
 Columbia, I transmit, for your information, copies of a letter from the Colonial Office, 
 with its inclosures, calling attention to certain points in the Report made by Lieutenant 
 Schwatka, of the United States' uimy, of a reconnaissance made by him in Alaska in 1883, 
 of which a copy accompanied your despatch No. 1 13 of the 20th April, 1886. 
 
 You will notice, as is pointed out in this correspondence, that in *^he wording of the 
 Resolution adopted by the United States' Senate on the 18th April, 1884, the reconnais- 
 sance is described as extending from "Chilkoot Inlet, Alaska, to Fort Selkirk, on Yukon 
 River, Alaska." 
 
 But, as is shown in sheet 5 attached to Lieutenant Sciiwatka's Report, Part II of the 
 Map of the routes followed by him extends " from Fort Selkirk, B.C., to Fort Yukon, 
 Alaska " (B. C. standin;^ for British Columbia) ; and at p. 33 of his Report the latitude 
 imd longitude of the site of Fort Selkirk is given as 02° 45' 30" north, and 137° 22' 46" 
 west, which is well within the territory belonging to this country, which, extends as far as 
 141° west. 
 
 It will also be seen, on referring to pp. 20 and 47 of the Report, that Lieutenant 
 Schwatka has indicated two points, viz., Perrier's Pass and 140° west longitude, which he 
 has determined as defining the international boundary. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government, as you are aware, have cgreed in principle to take part in 
 a preliminary investigation of the Alaska boundary question, but they are not prepared to 
 admit that the points refeiTed to by Lieutenant Schwatka in any way fix where the line 
 should be drawn. 
 
 Lieutenant Schwatka, in the course of his military reconnaissance in Alaska, appears 
 to have traversed British territory for a considerable distance ; but, so far as Her Majesty's 
 (lovernment are aware, no intimation of such a desire on his part was conveyed to any of 
 the British authorities. They do not attach any importance to this fact, and no doubt, 
 Jiad their acquiescence been asked, it would not have been refused. 
 
 • Not printed. 
 
 II 
 
Her Migesty's Government have no desire at the present moment to raise any 
 discussion in regard to the question of the boundary between Alaska and British 
 Columbia • but in order that it may not be prejudiced hereafter by absence of remark on 
 their part on the points alluded to above, I request that you will in a friendly manner call 
 Mr. Bayard's attention to the observations contained in this despatch. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) SALISBURY. 
 
 No. 17. 
 
 Sir L. ff^est to the Marquis of Sa/wftury. — {Received September 27.) 
 
 (No. 267.) 
 
 My Lord, Washington, September 1 5, 1 887. 
 
 IN obedience to the instructions contained in your Lordship's despatch No. 206 of 
 the 20th ultimo, I have called the attention of Mr. Bayard to the observations therein 
 contained on Lieutenant Schwatka's Report of a military reconnaissance in Alaska in a 
 note and Memorandum, copies of which I have the honour to inclose herewith. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) L. S. SACKVILLE WEST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 17. 
 iSj'r L. West to Mr. Bayard. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Washington, September 14, 1887. 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose to you herewith a Memorandum calling the attention 
 of the United States' Government to certain points in the Report made by Lieutenant 
 Schwatka, of the United States' army, of a reconnaissance made by him in Alaska, and to 
 observe at the same time that he traversed British territory for a considerable distance 
 without any intimation having been given to the British authorities of his intention of so 
 doing. 
 
 I may add, however, that Her Majesty's Government do not attach any importance to 
 this fact, and that no doubt had their acquiescence been asked it would not have been 
 refused. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) L. S. SACKVILLE WEST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 17. 
 
 Memo) .muum. 
 
 IN the wording of the Resolution adopted by the United States' Senate on the 
 18th A 'ril, 1884, the reconnaissance of Lieutennant Schwatka is described as extending 
 f.om 'Chilkoot Inlet, Alaska, to Fort Selkirk, on Yukon River, Alaska." But, as is 
 sho- 'n in sheet 5 attached to Lieutenant Schwatka's Report, Part 2 of the Map of the 
 routes followed by him extends from Fort Selkirk, B. C. (standing for British Columbia) ; 
 and at p. 33 of his Report the latitude and longitude of Fort Selkirk is given as 
 62° 45' 30" north and 137° 22' 45" west, which is well within the territory belonging to 
 Great Britain, which extends as far as 141° west. 
 
 It will also be seen on referring to pp. 20 and 47 of the Report, that Lieutenant 
 Schwatka has indicated two points, viz., Perrier Pass and 14'° west longtitude, which he 
 has determined as defining the international boundary. 
 
 Although Her Majesty's Government have agreed in principle to take part in a 
 preliminary investigation of the Alaska boundary question, they are not prepared to 
 admit that the points referred to by Lieutenant Schwatka in any way fix where the line 
 should be drawn. 
 
 It is not sought to raise any discussion at the present moment in regard to the 
 position of the boundary between Alaska and British Columbia ; but in order that it may 
 not be prejudiced hereafter by absence of remark on the points alluded to above, Her 
 Majesty's Government have thought it expedient to call the attention of the United 
 States' Government to the foregoing observations. 
 
 1124] 
 
 D 
 
10 
 No. 18. 
 
 Sir L. West to the Marquis of Salisbury, — (Received September 29.) 
 
 (No. 270.) 
 
 My Lord, Washington, September 18, 1887. 
 
 WITH reference to my despatch No. 267 of the 16th instant, I have the honour to 
 inclose to your Lordship herewith copy of the note of the Secretary of State, acknowledging 
 the receipt of my communication respecting certain points in Lieutenant Schwatka's 
 Report, and in which your Lordship will perceive that the terra "alleged" British territory 
 is used. 
 
 I nAVfi &.f 
 
 (Signed) ' l". S. SACKVILLE WEST. 
 
 "' '■* Inclosure in No. 18. 
 
 Mr. Adee to Sir L. West. 
 
 Sir, Department of State, Washington, September 16, 1887. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 14th instant 
 inclosing a Memorandum relative to certain points in the Report made by Lieutenant 
 Schwatka, of the United States' army, of a reconnaissance made by him in Alaska, with 
 regard to which you observe that he traversed alleged British territorj' for a considerable 
 distance without any intimation having been given to the British authorities of hii> 
 intention of so doiug. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 ' f'V.. \ (Signed) ALVEY A. ADEE, Acting Secretary. 
 
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