144 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



From tliis table it will at once be seen that the killing of fur seals 

 for their skins could not be practiced with profit to the lessees or to the 

 Government during the months of September and October, as now 

 authorized by law, and that killing in the first half of November, even, 

 would necessitate the throwing away of from 10 to 70 per cent of the 

 skins as stagey and comparatively worthless. 



Although this is not now a practical question, since the full lawful 

 quota is easily taken earlier in the season, when the skins are all prime, 

 the erroneous provision of law which I have pointed out nevertheless 

 remains, and unless corrected might in future years prove the means 

 of working injury to this valuable interest of the Government, which 

 deserves to be protected at every point so that it may be preserved 

 intact for all time. 



There is no good reason, however, why the law might not be modified 

 so as to extend the limits of the killing season for skins from the mid- 

 dle of November to the end of December. During the last half of 

 November there still remain upon the islands no inconsiderable numbers 

 of killable seals, from which several thousand prime skins could be 

 taken in case anything had occurred to curtail the catch earlier in the 

 season. In mild seasons fur seals remain about the islands till very 

 late. The past wirnter more than 1,000 were secured for food in January. 



MARAUDING- VESSELS. 



I have already, under date or July 4, 1881, reported to you in detail 

 the movements and operations of suspected and marauding vessels in 

 these waters, and urged the need of more adequate means of dealing 

 with them for infractions of law. Since then but one unknown vessel 

 has been seen about these islands; but it is feared that during Septem- 

 ber and October, after .the disappearance of the company's vessels from 

 these waters, the islands may be visited by lawless craft bent on raid- 

 ing the rookeries. 



OTTER ISLAND. 



The island is now under the immediate protection of an officer and 

 two sailors from theTJnited States revenue steamer Thomas Corivin, who 

 were detached for that dutj^ by Captain Hooper at St. Michaels. The 

 officer, Lieut. G. H. Doty, was directed by his commander to confer 

 with me and be guided by my counsel in the matter. I have advised 

 him to keep guard over the island until the disappearance of the seals 

 in the fall, or at least so long as there is any probability of marauding 

 vessels visiting these waters; to protect the seals from disturbance by 

 all persons whatever, and, if possible, to seize any vessel attempting to 

 land men to kill seals or take them in the adjacent waters, Theofiticer 

 and his men arrived here July 20, and proceeded to their station 

 July 23. 



THE NATIVE PEOPLE. — CENSUS, HEALTH, CONDITION, SUPPLIES, ETC^ 



In compliance with Department instructions to the Treasury agent 

 in charge to make in his annual report "a statement in regard to the 

 general health of the natives, how far their wants are supplied, and 

 the general treatment extended to them by the officers of the Alaska 

 Commercial Company," I report as follows : 



The general health and condition of this people have continued good, 

 as compared with former years, and are confessedly better than the 



