ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 17 



These 3,600 skins, if sold at auction in San Francisco, would probably 

 realize from $10,000 to $12,000 in coin, and thus, after deduction of 

 about $2,000 for the supplies now granted and the expenses of trans- 

 portation and sale, a fund of about $8,000 might be created to cover 

 further expenditures on behalf of the natives of the sealing islands. 



With reference to the balance of skins which will remain in the hands 

 of the natives after deduction of the number reserved as above, I did 

 not consider it advisable, in the absence of any instructions on this 

 point, to interfere with the desire expressed by the natives that they 

 might be allowed to exchange or sell said skins for the purpose of pro- 

 curing from the stores now on the islands dry goods, clothing, crockery 

 ware, hardware, and various small articles to which they have been 

 accustomed for many years past. A sufficient stock of these commodi- 

 ties is still extant on the islands from last year's supplies, but more 

 clothing will be absolutely required for the coming winter. In this 

 connection I beg leave respectfully to invite the attention of the Depart- 

 ment to the fact that the Aleutian population of the sealing islands has, 

 with very slight variations, the same wants as any rural community in 

 the Christian world. 



Should the killing of seals be permitted to cover the wants for the 

 whole year, the required number of seals to be killed would be in all 

 (from July 15 of this year) 44,640 (3,720x12). 



Coming to that part of the instructions given me which refers to sug- 

 gestions as to the future action of the Government in regard to the 

 sealing islands, I have to state that under the pressure of urgent busi- 

 ness — conferences with natives, attendance to the counting of skins to 

 be taken on the steamer Alexander, and in view of the necessity of 

 sending this letter as soon as possible — I can only advert to such features 

 as require prompt and immediate action. 



Should no change have occurred in the legislation or in the views of 

 the Department in regard to the sealing islands, I would suggest that 

 the following supplies be forwarded with all possible speed, to secure the 

 subsistence of the population for eight months from October 15 of this 

 year to June 15 of 1871: Bread and flour, 59,536 pounds; sugar, 6,740 

 pounds; tea, 1,488 pounds; salt, 45 tons; wood for baking purposes, 

 10 cords. 



If the temporary arrangements adopted by me are approved and 

 authority should be given me to prolong the same for the coming winter, 

 I would suggest that Hutchinson, Kohl & Co. may be authorized to 

 send to the islands the necessary stock of clothing, dry goods, hard- 

 ware, etc.; otherwise, that measures be devised to provide for those 

 commodities on account of the skins which may be taken to San Fran- 

 cisco at the end of this year's sealing season. 



In view of the very limited capacities of our revenue cutters for car- 

 rying freight, it would seem advisable to charter a sailing vessel for the 

 purpose of carrying supplies to the islands and taking to San Francisco 

 such skins as may be ready for shipment. Should any information be 

 desired on that behalf, I would respectfully refer to Capt. C. M. Scam- 

 mon, commander of the Lincoln, who is well acquainted with the re- 

 sources of the Pacific Coast and has devoted much attention to the 

 subject under consideration. 



As soon as circumstances will permit I will devote myself to the com- 

 pletion of a detailed plan of administration of the sealing islands. In 

 connection with this matter I would respectfully request that Mr. Buy- 

 nitzky be relieved from the island of St. George as soon as practicable 

 H. Doc. 92 2 



