sation, in the Daily News of this morning, which I make Exhibit A* of this dispatch. The exceeding sensitiveness of the sealing interest can hardly be appreciated by one who has not touched it. We have been cautious and prudent in all our movements and shall continue to be. I think the excitement of the day will pass away without further result. The report for 1891, and the statement of previous years are made inclosures herewith.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

LEVI W. MYERS,

Consul.

(Inclosures 2: Report for 1891; statement of previous years.)

BRITISH COLUMBIA SEALING INDUSTRY FOR THE YEAR 1891. To the DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, D. C.:

In order to show the extent and value of the Pacific Ocean and Bering sea fur-sealing industry, represented at Victoria, and in the Prov ince of British Columbia, I have prepared three tables of facts and statistics. These tables have been prepared with great care, and wherever it was possible are based on official information obtained at the custom-house in Victoria. They are as nearly accurate as they can be made.

The first gives the names of the British vessels that cleared from this Contents of tables. port, and four others clearing from the port of Vancou ver, with their tonnage and crews. The second table gives the name of each vessel and the "Coast," "Sand Point," "Bering Sea," and "total" catch of seals of each for the year 1891. The third table gives the names of vessels, their age, where built, and their estimated value.

*NOTE.-It has not been deemed necessary to print the exhibit above referred to, it being merely a criticism in the Victoria Daily News, of April 29, 1892, of the Consul.

In the preceding year, 1890, the number of vessels clearing from this port was 29, carrying 678 men. The number of ves

Increased number

sels clearing from this port in 1891 was 49, with 4 ad- of vessels in 1891. ditional vessels from Vancouver, carrying a total of

1,167 men. The fleet of 1891 was increased by additions from Nova Scotia, one or two from Japan, by changes from the American to the British flag, and by those built in British Columbia.

These figures were obtained from the custom-house in Victoria, and are official. They also compare with my own.

Price of skins.

A few of these skins were sold early in the fall to the Hudson's Bay Company and other local buyers, at from $15 to $18 per skin. After the October sales in London prices here, for the few sold, ranged from $12 to $13 per skin, and after the later sales in London they dropped down in Victoria to $8 or $10 per skin. At these last figures a very large proportion of the catch of the year was sold. The total number of skins taken was 48,216. At an average of $10 per skin, net price, the total value of the catch was $482,160. At these rates the value of the "coast catch" was $35,560, that of the "Sand Point" $170,150, and that of the

Value of different

catches.

"Bering Sea" $276,450.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
British Columbia, Victoria, April 27, 1892.

I, Levi W. Myers, consul of the United States at Victoria, British Columbia, do hereby certify that the signature of W. Certificate of consul. J. Stephens at the foot of the writing hereunto attached, is his true and genuine signature made and acknowledged in my presence, and that the said W. J. Stephens is personally known to me; and I do further certify that he is a ship and schooner builder of many years experience, and fully competent to judge as to the value of vessels.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the consulate at Victoria, B. C., this day and year next above written, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and sixteenth.

[L. S.]

LEVI W. MYERS,
Consul of the United States.

[W. J. Stephens, ship and steamboat builder. Spratt's Shipyard, opposite Albion Iron Works. Residence, 34 John street.]

VICTORIA, B. C., April 22, 1892.

L. W. MYERS, Esq.,

United States Consul:

DEAR SIR: Your favor duly received, and I would state that in my Statement by W. J. judgment the annexed valuation of schooners named Stephens, shipbuilder. is fair and approximately correct.

Yours, respectfully,

Certificate of consul.

W. J. STEPHENS.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
Victoria, B. C., April 27, 1892.

I, Levi W. Myers, consul of the United States at Victoria, B. C., do hereby certify that the signature of C. A. McDonald at the foot of the writing hereunto attached, is his true and genuine signature, and that the said C. A. McDonald is personally known to me; and I do further certify that he is a ship and schooner builder of many years' experience, and fully competent to judge as to the value of vessels.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Consulate, at Victoria, B. C., this day and year next above writ ten, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and sixteenth.

[L. S.]

Statement by C. A.

LEVI W. MYERS, Consul of the United States.

VICTORIA, B. C., April 25, 1892.

This is to certify that I am a master shipbuilder and do consider that I am a competent person to judge of the value of McDonald, ship. vessel or ships, and I do think that the value placed upon the schooners of the list shown me is a fair, im

builder.

partial value of them.

C. A. McDONALD.