ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 27 



Congress, by leasing their island and taxing its only industry, the seal 

 fishery, so heavily as to preclude the company's being liberal, owe it to 

 them to see that they have every reasonable comfort and are fully pro- 

 tected in their rights. It is doubtful whether, without the right of 

 ownership in their houses, they can be induced to change their con- 

 firmed habits so as to secure the necessary conditions of cleanliness 

 and comfort desirable for their better health. 



Some method might be adopted by which they might.repay the outlay 

 for their houses, as the proceeds of the seal fishery, $30,000 on St. Paul 

 and $10,000 on St. George, annually paid by the company, is amply 

 sufficient with proper economy for all the comforts and many of the 

 conveniences of civilization. 



In my report to the Department dated October 15, 1870, I had the 

 honor of calling attention to certain exigencies existing under the new 

 arrangement of affairs at the islands. One was that a suitable building 

 be erected on each island for the accommodation of the Government 

 officers, they being now dependent on the company, whose means are 

 limited for their own employees. 



Another was that a physician be allowed for each island and paid by 

 the Government, and that suitable buildings be erected for their accom- 

 modation. Should this be granted, I would suggest that one building 

 be erected for both purposes, as less expensive. 



Still another was that an additional officer be allowed each island. 

 This I deem important for the following reasons: The interests of the 

 Government are too great to be lelt dependent on the health of a single 

 officer, the great distance and infrequent communication rendering it 

 liable that a whole year might elapse before the information could be 

 transmitted and the want supplied. Another, and equally important, is 

 that the nature of the business is such that the required knowledge 

 necessary to keep the Government informed of its conclitions in advance 

 can only be obtained by a residence on the island at least one year and 

 by careful observation comparing one year with another; nor can it 

 be imparted to another unless on the ground, and in the event of a 

 change of officers the experience of the one leaving would be lost to the 

 Government. 



The whole number of seals taken during the year 1869, as ascertained 

 by actual count on their delivery in July, 1870, was — 



On St. Paul Island 60, 992 



On St. George Island 24,909 



Total 85,901 



Seals killed during tlic year 1870. 

 On St. Panl Island : 



From April 28 to Jnly 1 3,988 



July 1 to October 9 (salted) 6,449 



Cut skins ( uot salted) 278 



October 9 to November 30 (salted) 1, 597 



Cut skins (not salted) 202 



Young seals killed for winter supply of food for natives 2, 800 



Total 15,314 



On St. George Island : 



Previous to July 1 1, 799 



July 1 to October 10 4,987 



October 10 to close of tbe season 473 



Pups for winter supply 1, 200 



Total 8,459 



Grand total for 1870 23,773 



