The Ukase of 1821 was a Russian proclamation (a ukase) of territorial sovereignty over northwestern North America, roughly present-day Alaska and most of the Pacific Northwest. The ukase was declared on September 4, 1821. Its first section stated that "the pursuits of commerce, whaling, fishing and other industry, on all islands, ports and gulfs, including the whole north-west coast of North America to the 45°50' north latitude, are all included in this edict for the purpose of granting the same exclusivity to Russian subjects". The second section "prohibits all foreign vessels not only from landing on the coasts and islands belonging to Russia, but, also, does not permit them to approach these islands and coasts within less than one hundred Italian miles, without the vessels being subject to confiscation, along with the whole cargo" (one Italian mile was 2,025 yards).