The seals, however, did not confine themselves to American
territory. During the breeding season they ranged far and wide
within a hundred miles of their islands; and during a great part
of the year they were to be found far out in the Pacific. The
value of their skins attracted the adventurous of many lands, but
particularly Canadians; and Vancouver became the greatest center
for deep-sea sealing. The Americans saw the development of the
industry with anger and alarm. Considering the seals as their
own, they naturally resented this unlimited exploitation by
outsiders when Americans themselves were so strictly limited by
law. They also believed that the steady diminution of the herds
was due to the reckless methods of their rivals, particularly the
use of explosives which destroyed many animals to secure a few
perfect skins.

Public opinion on the Pacific coast sought a remedy and soon
found one in the terms of the treaty of purchase. That document,
in dividing Alaska from Siberia, described a line of division
running through Bering Sea, and in 1881 the Acting Secretary of
the Treasury propounded the theory that this line divided not
merely the islands but the water as well. There was a widespread
feeling that all Bering Sea within this line was American
territory and that all intruders from other nations were
poachers. In accordance with this theory, the revenue cutter
Corwin in 1886 seized three British vessels and hauled their
skippers before the United States District Court of Sitka. Thomas
F. Bayard, then Secretary of State under President Cleveland, did
not recognize this theory of interpreting the treaty, but
endeavored to right the grievance by a joint agreement with
France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and Great Britain, the sealing