ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 9 



prices according to size and color of the skin and length of the hair, but 

 the natives are very careful in selecting the animals, never killing pups 

 when they can avoid it. The sea otter is very shy, and should never be 

 killed with firearms. I have known instances that the noise of a pad- 

 dle wheel or screw of a steamer has driven them from their grounds to 

 seek some other more secure places. 



In regard to sea otter, I omitted to remark that a good many of these 

 animals are caught on the northwest coast of California and Oregon, as 

 well as in Lower California, whose skins are equally as good as those 

 caught in Alaska, which are sold here at present at $20, gold coin; no 

 restriction as to killing or bringing them to this market. 



The foregoing I know from personal experience, having spent recently 

 about six months on the northwest coast of Alaska and Bering sea. 

 I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Thomas Taylor. 

 John S. McLean, Esq., 



Special Agent Treasury Department, 



San Francisco, Gal. 



Document H, No. 1. — Tnclosure with McLean's Report of October 26, 1869. 



CusTOM-HousB, San Francisco, Oal., 



Gollector''s Ofice, September 2, 1869. 



Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of R. Korwin 

 Piotrowski, esq., one of the four inspectors sent from this office on the 

 5th of March last, by order of the Department, to guard the islands of 

 St. George and St. Paul, Alaska. 



I also inclose a printed copy of a letter from Mr. Piotrowski,^ written 

 at my request after his return to this city, giving such information as 

 he had gained while in Alaska in respect to the condition of the Ter- 

 ritory and his impressions regarding the fur-seal interest, and the 

 character of the natives. This letter is deemed to be- of some value, 

 coming as it does from so reliable and intelligent a source, and I take 

 pleasure in submitting it for the perusal of the Secretary of the 

 Treasury. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Jno. F. Miller, Collector. 

 Hon. George S. Boutwell, 



Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. 



Document l.—Inclosure with McLean's liepm-t of October 26, 1869. 



San Francisco, Cal., September 27, 1869. 



Sir: Directed by you in March last to proceed to Alaska for the 

 purpose of assisting Inspector La Grange in preventing the landing 

 of persons or merchandise upon any portion of the island of St. Paul, 

 and such other duties as might be necessary in the performance of that 

 trust, I embarked on the steamer Alexander on the 5th of March, 1869, 

 and after a passage of fourteen days arrived at Unalaska, at which 



' The enclosure referred to in this letter is missing. 



