10 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



place we remained five days — the time having been consumed in dis- 

 charging cargo and coaling — having while on shore constant interviews 

 with the natives, whom we found to be quiet, inoffensive, and industrious. 

 After coaling we proceeded on our journey, and in forty-eight hours 

 arrived at St. Paul Island where we finally debarked. Everything had 

 been provided for our comfort, though the weather was exceedingly 

 cold. On our arrival we found the bark Monticello laden with trading 

 goods from the j)ort of Honolulu in the Sandwich Islands. We at once 

 notified the captain, in accordance with our orders, that he could not 

 land his cargo, and he immediately departed. 



After taking i)ossession of the island for the Government nothing of 

 importance transpired till the 27th of April, when the schooner Leicis 

 Ferry from San Francisco hove in sight. Manning our boats we at 

 once attempted to board her and notify her captain not to laud or allow 

 any of his men on shore, but owing to the heavy sea prevailing at the 

 time we found it impossible to do so. The schooner was blown out to 

 sea, she having made two unsuccessful attempts to land on Otter 

 Island, distant about 8 miles from St. Paul. Two days after she hove 

 in sight again and we boarded her at once and notified the captain of 

 our instructions, informing him that he must not land on Otter Island, 

 Walrus Island, or the Island of St. Paul, or approach within the mari- 

 time distance indicated by law. 



Leaving revenue ofiScer Lieutenant Barnes in charge, assisted by 

 Lieutenant Mast of the Second Artillery and a detachment of ten men 

 from Kadiak, furnished by General Davis, after being relieved by the 

 steamer Lincoln on the 27th day of May, we departed from St. Paul 

 and arrived safely at the island of Dnalaska on the 30th of the same 

 month, and there remained awaiting transportation till the 2d of Aug- 

 ust, at which time, procuring passage on the schooner Fanny, after a 

 passage of nineteen days arrived in San Francisco. 



No portion of the islands named can ever be valuable for agriculture, 

 though throughout the latter part of the summer the grazing is excel- 

 lent and abundant, but owing to the humid nature of the climate it is 

 impossible to cure the grasses or make them into hay. 



The cod fisheries are mainly confined to the islands of Unga, Una- 

 laska, and Kadiak, the islands of St. Paul, St. George, and Otter being 

 mainly valuable f6r the seal fisheries, which in the aggregate furnish 

 annually about 75,000 seal skins. In addition to the above there were 

 captured last year about 3,000 seaotter skins. Tlie seal skins, though 

 only valued by Hutchinson, Kohl & Co. at the sum of $2 each, I am 

 informed that the entire cargo brought in London $6.50 per skin, mak- 

 ing in the aggregate a total valuation of $487,500; and 3,000 sea-otter 

 skins valued at $20, which is far below their market value, would yield 

 $60,000 more, making a total valuation of skins exported $547,500, or 

 in round numbers over half a million dollars. This vast revenue, now 

 controlled by a single company, would in twelve or thirteen years re- 

 fund the entire sum paid for this territory to the Eussian Government, 

 and, if properly guarded, be to the Treasury of the United States a 

 source of endless revenue. 



The matter of procuring this revenue will at once address itself to 

 the wisdom of our Representatives at Washington. 



It would seem, as a matter of justice to the Government, that the 

 advantages of this valuable trade should be made known as widely as 

 possible, and there is no doubt but if the lease or franchise were to 

 take place under proper Government restrictions to prevent the exhaus- 

 tion of the animals, and put up in the city of New York, that at least one 



