ALASKA. 283 



Before proceeding to discuss how tbis power lias been exer- 

 cised, it is necessary to call attention to certain characteristics 

 of the natives which your own observation will doubtless con- 

 Urm. Like all races of a low degree of civilization, the attrac- 

 tion which intoxicating liquors, fermented or distilled, exercises 

 over them is not equaled by any other influence to which they 

 are subjected. The manufacture of quass, which they derived 

 from the llussians, although prohibited by the regulations of 

 the Itussian compauy, has become a universal practice, and, 

 joined to the absence of any elevating influences, such as 

 schools, or the supervision of agents deriving their authority 

 from the Government, is rapidly aud surely degrading the 

 character and increasing the mortality of the Aleuts. Where- 

 ever opposition traders meet, they both connive at this 

 infamy, and iu such places the deterioration of the 

 people is more marked and rapid. There are no grounds for 

 stating, uor is it my opinion, that the present company has 

 abused its position more than any other would do in the same 

 case ; this, however, is not the question at issue, but whether 

 it is consistent with the honor of the Government and with its 

 duty toward a people who occupy the position of wards of the 

 United States to leave them in a condition where the grossest 

 tyranny is possible, and where gradual degradation and re- 

 lapse into barbarism is certain. Let us examine for a moment 

 the condition of the Territory. There is absolutely no law, no 

 means of protection, no redress for injury for any citizen of the 

 United States even, to say nothing of natives.(4) A number of 

 murders among the whites have occurred during the past few 

 years. Only one man was ever apprehended, aud I am in- 

 formed that he was discharged by the courts of Washington 

 Territory for want of jurisdiction. That acts of injustice and 

 oppression have occurred between the traders and the com- 

 pany I have abundant evidence, though such things are not 

 likely to occur in the presence of a United States officer. Sup- 

 pose some act of gross injustice should occur, in what way would 

 the unfortunate Aleut make his troubles known, if his long ex- 

 perience under the Russians, and disappointed hopes under the 

 various visits of United States officials, had not taught him 

 that the best way was to bear it in silence .' 



If he desired to communicate with civilization, the only 

 mails are by the company's vessels, and 1 have positive evi- 

 dence that they do not always respect even the sanctity of ofii- 



