Southeastern Alaskan Indian Research— Garfield 25 



Fort St. Dionysius on Wrangell Island in the same year. Compe- 

 tition between the two companies was keen and controversy 

 resulted in agreements to lease the coast from Portland Canal 

 to Cape Spencer to the Hudson's Bay Company for ten years, 

 including Fort St. Dionysius which was renamed Fort Wran- 

 gell. The lease was renewed until the cession of Alaska to the 

 United States. Building of the two forts brought Stikine River 

 Tlingit, Kaigani Haida and Tsimshian tribes into the center 

 of trading activities and into the annals of factors and visitors. 

 The Stikines moved into the vicinity of Fort Wrangell and the 

 Tsimshian to Fort Simpson where Haida traders came in large 

 numbers each fall. Hudson's Bay factors' journals add to the 

 picture of native life, though the accounts are primarily con- 

 fined to matters pertinent to trade and daily events. Changes 

 that were taking place in dress, homes and house furnishings, 

 food habits and trade demands in Indian communities are re- 

 vealed in these reports (17). 



American traders, with more desirable goods than either the 

 English or Russians were able to offer, successfully competed 

 for pelts. Americans are also accused of trading guns, ammuni- 

 tion and liquor to the Indians, providing them with generally 

 more efficient means of hunting and also with both the weapons 

 and stimulus for feuding and aggressive warfare among them- 

 selves. 



As Russian strength on the coast waned England and the 

 United States emerged as competitors for sovereignty over 

 Northwest America. The year 1867 opened a new era for 

 Alaska and its aboriginal inhabitants when the territory was 

 sold to the United States. Sitka remained the capital of the 

 new possession. A port of entry with a customs officer and a 

 company of soldiers was established at Tongass. Military troops 

 were also stationed at Sitka with a general in command. In 

 1877 the army was recalled and the customs officer was left in 

 sole charge of Alaska. Jurisdiction was transferred to the navy 

 in 1879 and the Jamestown with Captain Beardslee in charge 

 was sent to Sitka. Seventeen years after the purchase a civil 

 government was set up and a governor appointed to administer 

 the affairs of the District of Alaska (2). 



