CO885-(13-15) — Page 443

22369.

We think that, in each case, the substance of the matter must be looked at, and the nature of the business which is being in fact carried on by the Company,

No hard and fast line can, in our judgment, be laid down as to the amount of British interest which would entitle a Company to British protection.

We advise that Messrs. Harries, Wilkinson, and Raikes should be informed that Her Majesty's Government cannot undertake in any way to protect the commercial operations or property of their clients, and that the proposed purchases must be made, if at all, entirely on their own responsibility.

Royal Courts of Justice,

December 13, 1895.

RICHARD E. WEBSTER,

ROBERT B. FINLAY.

No. 99.

(CANADA.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

SIB,

Royal Courts of Justice, December 13, 1895. We were honoured with your commands signified in Mr. Bramston's letter of the 4th ultimo, stating that he was directed to inform us that you had received from the Foreign Office a copy of our report of the 21st October last on the claims in respect of the vessels seized by the Russian authorities in the North Pacific in 1892.

That you understood from this report that we desired a statement of all the claims of wlrich there was any fair ground, on the statements of the Masters and crews, for presentation, and that such a statement had accordingly been prepared and was enclosed with Mr. Bramston's letter.

That the original statements of claim as received from Canada formed the second enclosure in the letter from the Colonial Office of 29th December last, a copy of which was also enclosed, and that the reasons for the several changes made in the statement submitted would be found in the "remarks" on each claim..

We were further honoured with Mr. Bramston's letter of the 12th ultimo, stating, with reference to the above recited letter of the 4th ultimo, that Mr. Bramston had been directed by you to transmit to us a despatch from the Deputy Governor General enclosing statements of the loss sustained by the seizures, with supporting vouchers and other papers.

That Mr. Bramston was also to enclose an amended statement of claim in these two casos based on the accounts and vouchers then furnished, to be substituted for the statements in the letter from the Colonial Office under reference.

We have taken the papers into our consideration, and have the honour to

Report-

That, we approve the claims as now submitted to and initialled by us.

We have, &c.

འལ་

#

The Rt. Hon. J. Chamberlain,

&c.

&c.

&c.

B.

SCHOONER

66 ARIEL.'

RICHARD E. WEBSTER. ROBERT B. FINLAY.

8,037.70

·

1,436.32

1. Cost of vessel at Halifax and expenses of transfer to

British Columbia

(Vouchers I., 1-23, 24 (part), 25-62, 71-75).

2. Fitting out as a sealing vessel at Victoria

(Vouchers II., 1, 4-9, 14, 18, 20, 24-5, 28, 29-31, 34

(part), 35, 39, 99.)

3. Expenses of voyage, including salt, ammunition, provisions,

wages, &c.

5,265.81

(Vouchers I., 24 (part), 62a, 63–70, 76–8; II, 2, 3, 10, 11-13, 15-16, 17 (part), 19, 21-3, 26, 26a, 27 (part), 28, 32-4, 36–8, 40-65a, 67-97.)

4. Profits of voyage :

207 skins on board and estimated further

catch of 579 seals at $12 each

Less expenses of voyage (3)

9,432.00 5,265.81

4,166.19

5. Expenses, legal, &c., in connexion with seizure

(Vouchers II., 66, 98.)

166.50

• #5966.-30.

25.-1/96.

• No. 95.

19,072.52

וד

19

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

14 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO