ALASKA. 107 



THE HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS AS CONDUCTED BY THE 



RUSSIANS. 



[Translated by tho writer from Veniarainov'H Zapieskie, &c., Saint Petersburg, 

 1842, vol.ii,i)p. 5G8. *] 



From tlio time of tbe discovery of the Prybilov Isliinds, up 

 to 1805, (or that is, until the time of tbe arrival iu America of 

 General Resanov,) the taking of fur-seals on both islands pro- 

 gressed without count or lists, and without responsible heads 

 or chiefs, because then (1787 to 1805 inclusive) there were a 

 number of companies represented by as many agents or leaders, 

 and all of them vied with each other in taking as many as they 

 could before the killing was stopped. After this, in 180G and 



1807, there were no seals taken, and nearly all the people were 

 removed to Ounalashka. 



In 1808 killing w^as again commenced, but the people in this 

 year wereallowed to kill only on Saint George; on Saint Paul hunt- 

 ers were not i)ermitted this year or the next: it was not until 

 the fourth year after this that as many as half the number pre- 

 viously taken wereannually killed. From this time (Saint George, 



1808, and Saint Paul, 1810) up tol822,takingfur-seals progressed 

 on both islands without any economy and with slight circum- 

 spection, as if there were a race in killing for the most skins. 

 Coivs tcere taken in the drives and Jcilled, and were also driven 

 from the rookeries to places where they were slaughtered. 



It was only in 1822 that G. Moorayvev (governor) ordered 

 that young seals should be spared every year for breeding, and 

 from that time there were taken from the Prybilov Islands, in- 

 stead of 40,000 to 50,000, which Moorayvev ordered to be spared 

 iu four successive years, no more than 8,000 to 10,000. Since 

 this, G. Chestyahkov, chief ruler after Moorayvev, estimated 

 that from the increase resulting from the legislation of Mooray- 

 vev, Avhich was so honestly carried out on the Prybilov Islands 

 that iu these four years the seals on Saint Paul increased to 

 double their x:>revious number, he could give an order which in- 

 creased the number to be annually slain to 40,000, and this last 

 order or course directed for these islands demanded as many 

 seals as could be got, but with all possible exertion hardly 

 28,000 were obtained. 



After this, when it was most plainly seen that the seals were. 

 on account of this wicked killing, steadily growing less and less 



* The italics are mine, ami the trauslatioii is ueaily literal, as might he inferred by the 

 idioui here aud there. — H. W. E. 



