The Days of a Man 1896 



intoxicants has a maddening effect on the Indians, 

 who were kept temperate only by the most rigid 

 prohibition of alcoholic drinks. Moreover, the be- 

 lated presence of a tenderfoot official as director of 

 a difficult work already accomplished was resented 

 by the whole community. Duncan therefore de- 

 cided to remove his flock from the bishop's juris- 

 diction. He accordingly arranged with the United 

 iTwi States Government for the occupancy of Annette 

 Island, Alaska, some fifty miles more or less from 

 the former location. And thither nearly all the 

 people migrated with him, leaving the abandoned 

 settlement to the bishop, while they proceeded to 

 construct a "New Metlakahtla." This is a sub- 

 stantial village with salmon cannery, church, school- 

 house, brass band to greet incoming boats, church 

 choir, Sunday school, and "societies of culture." 

 The steamer they built, however, they were not 

 allowed to use for a long time, because not being 

 United States citizens they could not be licensed as 

 pilots or engineers, and duly licensed white pilots 

 would not work for Indians. After our visit the 

 absurd embargo was raised by order of Mr. Hamlin, 

 to whom I explained the situation. 



On the town hall of New Metlakahtla, under the 

 carved figure of a lion and an eagle, runs the follow- 

 ing inscription: 



New We leave the King of the Beasts, for he is a deceiver; he 



allegiance savs no one j s a slave under his flag. So every year he punishes 

 us without cause; he held up his naughty gun to crush our 

 village. Now I find my good friend, he is King of Birds; he 

 has sharp eyes to watch over our village if the enemy surround 

 it. I bid the Lion farewell. 



Independence Day, August 7, 1887. 



C 554 D 



