ANNUAL REPORTS 



TO THE 



TREASURY DEPARTMENT BY SPECIAL AGENTS IN CHARGE OF 



SEAL ISLANDS, AND OTHERS, 



ON THE CONDITION, ETC., OF THE SEAL ROOKERIES, PRIBILOF ISLANDS, 

 FROM 1868 TO 1895, BOTH INCLUSIVE. 



1868. 

 Capt. W. A. Hoicard: Protection of Rookeries from Marauders. 



Washington, D. C, April 16, 1868. 



Sir : Depredations are being committed on the outer Aleutian, St. 

 Paul, St. George, and St. Matthews islands, of Alaska, in the killing 

 indiscriminately and out of season the sea otter and fur seals of those 

 islands. A vessel has recently arrived at San Francisco with 10,000 

 skins on board. 



Indiscriminate slaughter (and the common use of firearms) out of 

 season will annihilate in a very short period this timid and very val- 

 uable race of animals. It will be borne in mind these animals have 

 been driven from the coast of California to this " ultima thule," and if 

 driven fiirther north (which they must go) they will perish, as nature 

 intended them for a milder climate than they at present inhabit. 



Since they have been domiciled in that region (Alaska) they have 

 been protected by the natives and the Russian- American Fur Company, 

 and have largely increased, None but the males of a certain age and 

 in a certain condition have been slaughtered for their peltry or other 

 purposes. One hundred and eighty thousand of the fur seal annually 

 is sufiflcient for the market, and has never been exceeded. Sea otters 

 are taken in limited numbers and only when in proper condition and 

 in seasons when the young are capable of feediug and protecting 

 themselves. 



Expeditions (well known) are being fitted out at San Francisco and 

 Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 



I would most respectfully call the attention of the Department to 

 the fact, considering the peculiar condition in which the country is at 

 present held, and without laws for its guidance, are we not bound by a 

 sense of honor and justice to protect (for the time beiug) from destruc- 

 tion the greatest interest of the country — the fur-bearing animals — until, 

 at least, laws can be passed for their protection. 



Therefore, I respectfully request instructions may be sent to our 

 revenue cruisers and officers to prohibit the taking or killing of any 

 fur-bearing animals on the islands until the treaty stipulatious have 

 been complied with or laws and regulations enacted for the fur trade. 

 I am, very respectfully, 



W. A. Howard, 

 Captain on Special Service. 



Hon. Hugh McCulloch, 



Secretary of Treasury^ Washington, D. G. 



