ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 37 



tlie assertion that by 1874 an addition of 30,000 skins may be added to 

 the number now taken annually. 



The civil affairs of the natives have been administered by their chiefs 

 with very little necessity for my assistance. There has been consider- 

 able drunkenness from the use of quas, or native beer, manufactured by 

 themselves from fermenting sugar and flour together, aud so fond are 

 some of this artificial excitement that they save all that is sold for their 

 families to use in tea or coffee until enough is obtained for a good 

 drunk, and then indulge in it, aud in two cases it has been necessary to 

 confine the parties until sober to prevent them doing injury to their 

 families or others. That they have worked well and faithfully the taking 

 of the 70,000 skins in so short a time bears evidence. The supplies 

 have been of good quality and in sufiBcieut quantity, and the prices 

 reasonable. 



The school has been discontinued during the sealing season, but will 

 be resumed again as soon as the vessels are gone. 



The company last year built six wooden dwelling houses above ground 

 for the natives. These have not proved wholly a success for comfort 

 and convenience, as was hoped. Six more are laid out and partially 

 completed on an improved plan, based on last year's experience, which 

 promise to attain more fully the object desired. 



The affairs of the island of St. George are in an equally prosperous 

 condition, for the details of which I beg leave to refer to a copy of the 

 report of Assistant Agent Samuel Falconer, in charge, inclosed herewith. 



I desire to bear witness to the able manner in which all my assistants 

 have aided in forwarding my plans for the comfort and improvement of 

 the natives. 



I have the honor to remain, 



Charles Bryant, 

 Treasury Agent, in Charge Seal Islands. 



Hon. George S. Boutwell, 



Secretary of the Treasury. 



Report of Assistant Agent Falconer : Inclosure with Bryant's Annual Report for 1812. 



Assistant Treasury Agent's Office, 



St. George Island, August 15, 1872. 



Sir: 1 have the honor to report the arrival of the company's steamer 

 Alexander on the 11th instant, bringing Mr. Adams, who will relieve Mr. 

 Brown, the present agent of the company, aud Dr. Meaney, the newly 

 a])pointed physician for the island, together with a fall cargo of mer- 

 chandise for the station and the material for the Government house. 



On the 29th ultimo the company's steamer H. M. EutcMnson touched 

 here, having on board the liev. Father Nickoli, a priest of the Russo- 

 Greek Church of the diocese of San Francisco, who attended to ihe, 

 spiritual wants of the people and performed the marriage ceremony for 

 eight couples. 



The company commenced driving seals for their skins on the 3d of 

 June last and discontinued on July 27, having secured 25,000, the full 

 number stipulated in the lease for the year 1872. 



Last season only 19,077 skins were secured, as was reported, when it 

 was the intention of the company to have taken their full number. 



