102 



ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



my observation while iu the Territory of Alaska be tliougLt of use, 

 a letter addressed to me, statiug the matter, will meet with a cheerful 

 response. 



I have the honor to remain, yours, respectfully, 



Charles Bryant, 

 Ex- Treasury Agent for 8eal Islands. 



Hon. John Sherman, 



Secretary of the Treasury. 



1878. . ■ 



Special Agent Morton; annual report for 1877. 



Office of Treasury Agent, 



St. Paul Island, May 15, 1878. 



Sir: I have the honor to submit the following statement relative to 

 affairs at the seal fisheries since the date of my last report in May, 1877: 



In explanation of my failure to transmit official letters to the Depart- 

 ment by either of the vessels touching here last fall, I would respect- 

 fully state that on the 18th of last July I was suddenly prostrated by 

 sickness and thereby confined to my bed until the middle of the fol- 

 lowing October, since which time no opportunities of communication 

 have been afforded. During my illness Treasury Agent J. H. Moul- 

 ton was present on tbis island acting in my official stead, be having 

 reported here from St. George Island July 29 per Alaska Commercial 

 Company's steamer St. Faui for the ])urpose of remaining in charge 

 during my then contemplated absence through the winter mouths. As 

 no means were aftbrded of reacbiug St. George Island subsequent to 

 the time when my restoration to health was tbougbt to be assured, Mr. 

 Moulton has been comijelled to remain here during the winter, and now 

 awaits the first opportunity to proceed to his i)roi)er post of duty. 



The full number of seal skins taken by the Alaska Commercial Com- 

 pany during the season of 1877 and shipped by its steamer St. Paul, 

 August 5, was as follows : 



On St. Paul Island (including 1,469 skijis of seals killed for food) 60,526 



On St. George Island (iucludiug 1^56 skins of seals killed for food) 15, 000 



Total on both islands 75, 526 



Th^ total catch of fur seals on St. Paul Island for all purposes dur- 

 ing the year 1877 is shown in the following table: 



By the Alaska Coiiim(;rcial Company 



Por natives' food during the year 



Young seals for winter food (skins of no value) 



Total 



Number 

 killed. 



59, 087 

 4,041 

 5,007 



68, 135 



Skins 

 salted. 



59, 057 

 2,854 



61,911 



Skins 

 rejected. 



30 

 1,187 



1,217 



Tbe skins which are shown in the above table to have been rejected 

 by tbe company were mostly from seals killed for food in August, 

 September, October, and November, when they were shedding their 

 hair and fur, and therefore worthless. It is worthy of note that tbe 

 shedding or ''stagey" season of the past two years has been of much 



