ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 31 



Inclosure with Bryant's Report dated Noiwmber 10, 1871: Beport of Assistant Agent 



Falconer. 



Special Agent's Office, 



St. George Island, August 3, 1871. 



Sir: I have the honor to report the arrival of the steamer Alexander 

 at this island on the 2d. instant, bringing a cargo of all needed supplies 

 for the coming winter. 



Since the date of my last report, May 14, 1S71, the harmonious rela- 

 tions heretofore existing between the natives and the Government and 

 company have continued uninterrupted, the natives having worked 

 faithfully during the past two months in securing skins and provisions 

 for their sustenance next winter, and I am happy to state that with the 

 cooperation of the company's agent, Mr. Brown, I have succeeded in so 

 far restricting the quantity of spirituous liquors brewed by them from 

 their sugar and liour rations that no intoxication has been manifest. 



The number of skins secured to this date amount to about 19,000, of 

 which some 17,000 of this year's catch and 3,000 of last year's, will be 

 at present shipped per Alexander, as per certificates herewith inclosed. 



Please find also inclosed certificates for 20 cords wood turned over 

 to the natives by the company for their use, in accordance with the 

 terms of the lease, and for a full supply of salmon for gratuitous distri- 

 bution during the winter. 



The meteorological record has been kept in accordance with your 

 instructions, and returns are hereto aj)pended showing an average tem- 

 perature for the month of May, 38.32 ; June, 40.85, and July, 44.09. On 

 the night of the 12th ultimo two sharp flashes of lightning were ex- 

 perienced, accompanied by thunder and heavy rain, and it was notice- 

 able on the next morning the bachelor rookeries were nearly deserted, 

 the seals having gone into the water. They, however, returned during 

 the day. 



The school which was supported through last winter has been sus- 

 pended for the sealing season, but will be again opened as soon as it 

 shall seem i^rofitable to do so. 



I am, respectfully, Samuel Falconer, 



Special Agent. 



Charles Bryant, Esq., 



Special Agent, Treasury Department, St. Paul Island. 



Beport of Mr. S. N. BuynitzTcy, of the Treasury Department. 



Island of St. Paul, August 10, 1871. 



Sir : In pursuance of your instructions of June 28, 1 took i^assage 

 on the steamer Alexander, which left San Francisco on the 13th of July, 

 and arrived here on the 31st. I immediately reported for duty to Capt. 

 Charles Bryant, and was detailed by him on the following day to the 

 island of St. George, where I remained five days, returning to St. Paul 

 on the 6th instant. 



As Mr. Bryant has concluded to avail himself of the authority given 

 him to return to Washington and to leave me in charge of the seal 

 islands, I deem it my duty to lay before the Department such facts con- 

 cerning the sealing business as seem to me to require an immediate 

 modification of the law regulating the same. 



