Kimberley to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to transmit herewith an extract of a letter
received from the principal officer of the Hudson's Bay Company
in British Columbia, dated Victoria, Vancouver's Island 29th
April 1868, on the question of the right of British vessels to
free access to the Stikine River in the Territory, recently
ceded by the Russian Government to the United States.

By the 6th article of the Convention between Great Britain and
Russia dated St. Peter[s]burgh 16/28 February 1825, it is
provided—

That the subjects of His Britanic Majesty, from whatever
quarter they may arrive, whether from the Ocean or from the
interior of the Continent, shall for ever enjoy the right of
navigating freely and without any hindrance whatever, all the
rivers and streams which in their course towards the Pacific
Ocean may cross the line of demarcation upon the line of Coast
described in Article III of the present Convention,

and the Company presume that there can be no doubt that this
Article is binding on the United States as the present possessor
of the Territory.

I am therefore to request that you will move His Grace the Duke
of Buckingham and Chandos to take steps to have this matter
brought under the consideration of the United States Government
and to obtain for the Company relief from the grievance complained
of in Mr Tolmie's letter.