Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a statement having appeared in the newspapers to the effect that the United States revenue cruisers have received orders to proceed to Behring Sea for the purpose of preventing the exercise of the seal fishery by foreign vessels in non-territorial waters, and that statement having been confirmed yesterday by you, lam instructed by the Marquis of Salisbury to state to you that a formal protest by Her Majesty’s Government against any such interference with British vessels will be forwarded to you without delay.
I have, etc.,