Page:Alaskan boundary tribunal (IA alaskanboundaryt01unit).pdf/49

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
39

of the Dominion of Canada. by the ‘Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada.” 1842 to 1882, (No, 32 of the British Aths) the names ** Portland Inlet” and * Porthid Chan.” are printed in capital letters along the entire course of the channel contended for hy the United States, while the name * Observatory Inlet” ts printed in much smaller letters along the “branch” ending with Point Ramsden. On this map Wales and Pearse Islands are also so tinted as to indiente that they are American Territory.

PRESUMPTION TO BE OVERCOME BY GREAT BRITAIN THAT TILE THAL- WEG [> TILE BOUNDARY,

Tf it be true. as heretofore contended. that the upper part of the hody of water, admitted by both parties to be Porthmd Canal above Pearse [slind. goes to the sea throngh two channels, is it not a violent presumption to suppose that Vancouver would have limited the mume “in honor of the noble family of Bentinck” te that) practically uonavigable and narrow channel, to which he referred as ‘a very per- plexing oliject of no great valne or consideration.” to the exclusion of the brond and navigable channel of which be said: The route by which the vessels had advanced to Salmon Cove. being intinitely better for them to pursue towards Cape Canutana than the intricate channel through whieh | passed in the boats.” Such presmuption is overborne by the overwhelming testimony of the numerous maps and charts, heretofore referred to, existing prior to and after the making of the treaty of [S25.

The British Case relies mainly upon two pussages from Vancouver's Narrative, as follows:

Nothing of any note having eecurred suring mv absence, F shall vonelude this chapter by the insertion of the astronomical am] nautival observations nade at this place, and, in consequence of our having been so fortunate as ta le able to obilain those that were essential for correcting our former survey, and for our future regnla- tion in that respect, this branch obtained the name of Ohservatory Tnlet, and the cove, Where the vessels were stationed, that of Salmon Cove, from the alndance of that kind of fi-h that were there taken.

The west point of Observatory Inlet [ distinguished by calling it Point Wales, after my tmuch-esteemed friend Mr. Wales of Christ's Hospital, to whose kind instruction in the early part of my life Tam indebted for that information whieh hae enabled ime to triverse and delineate these lonely regions. 4

° B,C, App., 146,