Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1890 — OFF FOR BEHRING SEA. [ARTICLE]

OFF FOR BEHRING SEA.

Important Orders ter United States Revenue Vessel. The arrival of Colonel A. C. Mathews First Comptroller of the Treasury, in Port Towusend on Monday caused some little excitement. The Colonel brought orders from the Treasury Department for the commanders of the revenue cutters Richard Rush and the Corwin. The Rush immediately prepared to proceed to sea. The Corwin Wednesday morning took water at the fort and will sail Thursday. The department deemed the dispatches of Buch importance that they would not intrust them to the ordinary methods of delivery, but sent them by hand, and would even then allow only one of the highest officials to carry them. Colonel Mathews delivered his orders to both naval officers. The orders to the Rush were to proceed at once to Onalaska. and then to patrol Behring Sea, seize all vessels found in the sea with seal skins aboard, or any other with prima faci evidence that they had been poaching. The cutters are to then take the papers and instruments, and leave on board only sufficient food to keep the crew until the vessel reaches the nearest port. If any resistance is offered, the poachers are to be fired upon and compelled to submit. Captain Hooper, of the Corwin, said that although the orders to tho Rush were for her to sail, the Corwin was still waiting to hear from Washington. The documents she received from Washington were of no public interest, but simply private communications from the department- and he did not care to make public their contents. The Rush, Captain Hooper said, was to proceed direct to sea and carry out the ins structions ol the Treasury Department. He expected to receive orders almost any time, aud was ready to proceed North without delay. The orders received by the Rush are sealed and will not be opened until the vessel is at sea. From one of her officers it was learned that the general impression was that there would be no change in the policy already outlined by the department. The Rush has been on the Sound sinco June 9, and os the season opened on June 1. the vessel will be a month late in reaching the ground. The British Govern* rnent is centralizing the Pacific squadron at Esquimau, and it may be that the sealers will be protected by the authorities. The Amphion is now at Esquimalt, and fire other war vessels are on the way there. When the squadron is mustered, it is re ported, two, and perhaps three, vessels will be sent to sea and will sec that no British vessel is outraged or the Britisi flag insulted.