Mr. Adee to Lord Gough.
Washington, August 14, 1895.
My Lord: Referring to the Department’s note to you of the 19th ultimo, in regard to the case of the American sealing schooner Sophia Sutherland, I have the honor to inform you that I have received a letter from the United States attorney at San Francisco, stating that a libel of information for the forfeiture of the vessel in question for violations of the act of Congress of April 6, 1894, giving effect to the award rendered by the Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris concerning the preservation [Page 662] of the fur seals, was filed on the 2d instant, and publication commenced thereunder.
The United States attorney adds that proceedings for the imposition of the penalty imposed by the above-mentioned act will be forthwith instituted against the offending parties; and that a claim to the schooner will shortly be filed on behalf of the master, Mr. A. C. Sutherland.
The above information is communicated to you in order that Her Majesty’s Government may, if it sees fit, appoint counsel to take part in the proceedings for the condemnation of the Sophia Sutherland.
I have, etc.,
Acting Secretary.