Page:Alaskan boundary tribunal (IA alaskanboundaryt01unit).pdf/91

 ing the boundary line, and stability coull not be secured by a broken strip on the continent, penetrated iy inlets, lving partly within the jurisdiction of one country amd partly within that of the other, Js it at all compatible with this representation on bis part. that he expected the hme to le so drawn, and pmrallel to suet a coast. that there would be a division of jurisdiction over inland waters, and that Great Britain micht maintain establishments on the coasts of these waters, in absolute contact with the ostublish- ments that Russia might wish to maintain for triding with the Indians pen adjoining parts of stich costs:

Tt iz to be observed that be makes no reference to menntiins, but tixes « constant distanee of ten nrarine Jeuenes from the shore, und parillel with the sinuosities of the coast. which term up to that time had never admitted of any doubt ar dispute.

In explaining his amended proposal to Mr, Canning in bis letter of March 17, 1524, he said:

1 entertainel sanguine expectations that sael a proepesal, vongled with the concession of a line of coast extemling LO niarine leaynes inte the interior of the continent, wonld have been considered a= amply -utlieient for all the Jewiti- mate object? which Russia could have in view, and quite as mich as sie eoukl pretend] to with any shadow uf real claim oy justicu."

When he was speakine of concediny “a line of coust extending ten marine leagues into the interior of the continent.” ean it be for a moment imputed to him, that by such “line of coast.” he meant that kind of coast line, which under the iw of mudions. was vuthorized for the purpose of determining territorial waters! If he had ever had such an idea. would he not, in view of the well understood interests of Russia. which she was seeking to protect by the treaty. and of the previous well wnderstood menniny of the word “coast.” have been bound in fraukness to disclose this new menning whieh he proposed to attach to the word! Can it he assumed that, when he had mmde two propositions to Russin, hy which she got the entire western coast of Lynn Canal, and they had been rejected by ber as unsatisfactory. he meant by this propo- sition to wo thirty miles into the interior away from the const. and then to ron the line so as to deprive Russia of a large part of the coast of Lyon Canal. for which he bad never contended?

— 7 et S.C. App, 144,