Bering Sea Question. Arose out of a dispute as to the seal-fisheries of Bering Sea. Several Canadian sealers were seized by the United States in 1886, on the plea that these waters constituted a mare clausum, or closed sea. Similar seizures were made in 1887 and 1889. Finally the British and United States governments agreed to submit the question to arbitration. The Commission met at Paris in 1893. Lord Hannen and Sir John Thompson represented British interests; the United States was represented by Judge Harlan and Senator Morgan. The other arbitrators were Marquis Visconti Venosta of Italy, Gregora W. Gram of Sweden, and Baron de Courcel of Belgium, who presided. The decision was in favour of Great Britain, and contrary to the claim of the United States to jurisdiction over the waters of the Bering Sea and the seals visiting the coasts and islands of Alaska. Regulations were provided for the better protection of the fisheries; and the United States was required to compensate the Canadian sealers for the unlawful seizure of their vessels. Index: D Influenced by Russian occupation, 38; settled under Paris award, 1897, 283; history of dispute 340-341.
Berkeley, George Cranfield (1753-1818). Entered the navy, 1766; accompanied Cook in survey of coast of Newfoundland and Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1766-1769; and was on the Victory at Ushant, 1778. In 1786 surveyor-general of ordnance, 1786; and vice-admiral on the Halifax station, 1805-1807, during which time occurred the affair between the Chesapeake and the Leopard. Index: Bk Gave instructions in matter of deserters enlisted in Chesapeake, 83; recalled, 85. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.
Berlin Decrees. Issued by Napoleon, November, 1806, to the following effect: The British Isles were in a state of blockade; intercourse with them was prohibited; all British subjects within French authority were to be held as prisoners of war; all British property, private and public, was declared to be prize of war; also merchandise from Britain; merchants whose property had been captured by British cruisers were to be indemnified from the product of such seizures; no British ships were to be admitted into any port of France, or her allies; every vessel eluding this rule was to be confiscated. The object of the decrees was to close the continent against British commerce. The British government retaliated by issuing an order-in-council, refusing to neutrals the right of trading from one hostile port to another. Index: Bk Directed by Napoleon against commerce of Great Britain, 81, 82, 105, 171, 172. Bib.: Dict. Eng. Hist.; Green, Short History of the English People; Kingsford, History of Canada.
Bernard, Hewitt (1825-1893). Entered the Canadian public service, 1858; deputy-minister of justice, 1867; resigned, 1876. In 1872, created I. C.; and the same year made C. M. G. In 1878 appointed assistant commissioner to France and Spain to negotiate commercial treaties. Aide-de-camp to Lord Monck, 1868, and to Lord Stanley, 1888. Index: T Confidential secretary to the Quebec Conference, 77; acts as secretary to Confederation delegates in London, 121. Bib.: Pope, Memoirs of Sir John A. Macdonald.
Bernardin, of Siena, Saint. L On the guidance of Providence, 35-36.
Bernetz, Chevalier de. WM Commands battalion of Royal Roussillon Regiment, 12; second in command of the town (Quebec), 86.
Bernières, Henri de (1635-1700). Born in France. Came to Canada with Laval in 1659. Curé of Quebec, 1660-1687; and grand-vicar of the bishop of Quebec. First superior of the Seminary of Quebec, 1663, holding that position till 1688 and from 1693 to 1697. Index: F Grand-vicar of bishop of Quebec, 111. L Head of retreat at Caën, 24; first superior of Quebec Seminary, 55; transfers his personal income to seminary, 56; administers diocese in Laval's absence, 134; claims ecclesiastical rights, 163; made dean of Chapter, 197; his death, 239. Bib.: Jesuit Relations, ed. by Thwaites; Gosselin, Henri de Bernières.
Bernières, Jean de. L His "Hermitage," 24, 25.
Berry Brigade. WM In battle of Ste. Foy, 257, 258.
Berthelot, François. L Laval's relations with, 138. E His seigniory of St. Laurent made an earldom in 1676, 181.