ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 61 



the liturgy of their church. For this purpose aud when they have had 

 school they would privately teach the Eussiau tongue, the children all 

 assembling at a particular house for this purpose. This religious preju- 

 dice is difficult to overcome, but their progress toward civilization, con- 

 sidering their ignorance and abject dependence under the Russians, is 

 certainly remarkable. 



If a priest were stationed upon each island who would instruct them 

 in both languages and give tliem to understand that an English educa- 

 tion would in nowise contiict with their religious duties, they would, in 

 my opinion, encourage their children to attend school with more regu- 

 larity. Their progress then would be swift and sure, as they are natu- 

 rally apt scholars. The presence of a priest upon the island would also 

 have a moral effect upon them that would be invaluable, and I would 

 respectfully recommend to the Department that some provision be made 

 for one on each island. 



The condition of the natives upon this island at the present time is in 

 many respects equal to, if not better than, many of our own people in 

 the agricultural districts. 



The Alaska Commercial Company have for the last four years, so far 

 as I am able to judge, fulfilled every requirement of their lease, and in 

 many cases have exceeded their obligations by gratuitous distributions 

 to the natives of provisions, clothing, and fuel. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Samuel Falconer, 



Assistant Treasury Agent. 



The Secretary of the Treasury, 



Washington^ D, G. 



Assistant Agent Falconer : Shipping receipt, quota of 1874. 



Assistant Treasury Agent's Office, 



St. George Island, July 12, 1874. 



This is to certify that there has been shipped this day, on board the 

 Alaska Commercial Company's steamship ^/e.rrtw^er, 4,380 fur-seal skins 

 for Unalaska, to be reladen at that place on board the Alaska Com- 

 mercial Company's bark Cyane, for San Francisco. 



Samuel Falconer, 



Assistant Treasury Agent. 



1875. 

 Special Agent Bryant: Annual report for 1875. 



Fairhaven, October 11, 1875. 

 Sir : 1 have the honor to submit the following report on the condition 

 of the seals aud general affairs of the seal islands since my last report, 

 dated May 12, 1875. The first seals were seen in the vicinity of the 

 island on their return, April 5, and the usual precautions taken to 

 insure their not being disturbed. They came with their usual regularity 

 and order, the full-grown males landing on the breeding grounds and 

 the young males passing these to the hauling grounds. Enough of 



