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Cape Prince Wales

Bechevin Bay.

Region V

BERING EASTERN PART

REGION VI, NORTHERN ALASKA: Cape Prince of Wales to Demarcation Point

The coast of northern Alaska is more or less uniform and normal baselines have been drawn along most of its length. Along those sections where the coast is fringed by islands, or barrier beaches, straight baselines have been used based upon criteria set forth by the Convention.

Kirk W. Stanley

Division of Lands

Department of Natural Resources 5/20/66

Edited and Reproduced

May 1970: ya

[graphic]

APPENDIX

U.S. Fur seal arbitration. Proceedings of the
Tribunal of Arbitration convened at Paris under
the treaty between the U.S. and Great Britain
concluded at Washington, Feb. 29, 1892. Wash.
Govt. Print. Office, 1895. 504p.

UKASE OF 1799.

The following is a literal translation of the Ukase in question, taken from Golovnin, in "Materialui dla Istoriy Russkikh Zasseleniy," i., 77-80:

By the grace of a merciful God, we, Paul I, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, &c. To the Russian-American Company, under our highest protection, the benefits and advantages resulting to our Empire from the hunting and trading carried on by our loyal subjects in the north-eastern seas and along the coasts of America have attracted our Royal attention and consideration; therefore, having taken under our immediate protection a Company organized for the above-named purpose of carrying on hunting and trading, we allow it to assume the appellation of "Russian-American Company under our highest protection;" and for the purpose of aiding the Company in its enterprises, we allow the Commanders of our land and sea forces to employ said forces in the Company's aid if occasion requires it, while for further relief and assistance of said Company and having examined their Rules and Regulations, we hereby declare it to be our highest Imperial will to grant to this Company for a period of twenty years the following rights and privileges:

1. By the right of discovery in past times by Russian navigators on the north-eastern part of America, beginning from the 55th degree of north latitude and of the chain of islands extending from Kamschatka to the north to America and southward to Japan, and by right of possession of the same by Russia, we most graciously permit the Company to have the use of all hunting grounds and establishments now existing on the north-eastern coast of America, from the above-mentioned 55th degree to Behring Strait, and on the same also on the Aleutian, Kurile, and other islands situated in the north-eastern ocean.

2. To make new discoveries not only north of the 55th degree of north latitude but farther to the south, and to occupy the new lands discovered, as Russian possessions, according to prescribed rules, if they have not been previously occupied by any other nation, or been dependent on another nation.

3. To use and profit by everything which has been or shall be discovered in those localities, on the surface and in the bosom of the earth, without any competition by others.

4. We most graciously permit this Company to establish Settlements in future times, wherever they are wanted, according to their best knowledge and belief, and fortify them to insure the safety of the inhabitants, and to send ships to those shores with goods and hunters, without any obstacles on the part of the Government.

5. To extend their navigation to all adjoining nations and hold business intercourse with all surrounding Powers, upon obtaining their free consent for the purpose, and under our highest protection, to enable them to prosecute their enterprises with greater force and advantage. 40

6. To employ for navigation, hunting, and all other business, free and unsuspected people, having no illegal views or intentions. In consideration of the distance of the localities where they will be sent, the provincial authorities will grant to all persons sent out as settlers, hunters, and in other capacities, passports for seven years. Serfs and house-servants will only be employed by the Company with the consent of their land-holders, and Government taxes will be paid for all serfs thus employed.

7. Though it is forbidden by our highest order to cut Government timber anywhere without the permission of the College of Admiralty, this Company is hereby permitted, on account of the distance of the Admiralty from Okhotsk, when it needs timber for repairs, and occasionally for the construction of new ships, to use freely such timber

as is required.

8. For shooting animals, for marine signals, and on all unexpected emergencies on the mainland of America and on the islands, the Company is permitted to buy for cash, at cost price, from the Government artillery magazine at Irkutsk yearly 40 or 50 pouds of powder, and from the Nertchinsk mine 200 pouds of lead.

9. If one of the partners of the Company becomes indebted to the Government or to private persons, and is not in a condition to pay them from any other property except what he holds in the Company, such property cannot be seized for the satisfaction of such debts, but the debtor shall not be permitted to use anything but the interest or dividends of such property until the term of the Company's privileges expires, when it will be at his or his creditors' disposal. 10. The exclusive right most graciously granted to the Company for a period of twenty years, to use and enjoy, in the above-described extent of country and islands, all profits and advantages derived from hunting, trade, industries, and discovery of new lands, prohibiting the enjoyment of those profits and advantages not only to those who would wish to sail to those countries on their own account, but to all former hunters and trappers who have been engaged in this trade, and have their vessels and furs at those places; and other Companies which may have been formed will not be allowed to continue their business unless they unite with the present Company with their free consent; but such private Companies or traders as have their vessels in those regions can either sell their property, or, with the Company's consent, remain until they have obtained a cargo, but no longer than is required for the loading and return of their vessel; and after that nobody will have any privileges but this one Company, which will be protected in the enjoyment of all the advantages mentioned.

11. Under our highest protection, the Russian-American Company will have full control over all above-mentioned localities, and exercise judicial powers in minor cases. The Company will also be permitted to use all local facilities for fortifications in the defence of the country under their control against foreign attacks. Only partners of the Company shall be employed in the administration of the new possessions in charge of the Company.

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