ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 167 



1884. 



Special Agent Glidden; annual report for 1884. 



Office of Special Agent Treasury Department, 



St. Paul Island, July 31, 1884, 



Sir: I have tlie honor to submit to you my annual report of the 

 condition of affairs at the seal islands, Alaska, for the year ended 

 July 30, 1884. 



The census of St. Paul, taken January 1, 1884, shows: Total number 

 of natives belonging to the island, 219; residents of other islands visit- 

 ing here, 11 ; total, 230, composed of 99 males and 131 females. The 

 number of births were 19, deaths 26, marriages 5. 



The census of St. George, taken January 1, 1884, shows : Total num- 

 ber of native inhabitants, 111, composed of 47 males and 64 females. 

 Number of births 6, deaths 3, marriages none. 



The seal life on the islands appears to be as large and flourishing as 

 ever. The killable seals came to the islands in greater numbers earlier 

 in the season than last year. The catch this season is 100,000, the full 

 number to which the Alaska Commercial Company is entitled under 

 their lease. Eighty-five thousand are taken from St. Paul and 15,000 

 from St. George. 



The experiment of taking a few men from St. George to assist in 

 doing the work on St. Paul, in accordance with permission granted in 

 your letter of instructions of the 28th of February, last, has been tried, 

 and a proper distribution of the proceeds of their labor from St. Paul 

 to St. George has been made. It has worked well and given entire 

 satisfaction. 



The habits of the natives of both islands have greatly improved as 

 to cleanliness, good order, and conduct, the improved manner of doing 

 their work, and their willing obedience to all that has been required of 

 them. 



There have been three cases of drunkenness on St. Paul, from which 

 I have realized fines to the amount of $20. The cause of this was 

 whisky obtained from one of the cooks on board the steamer St. Paul. 

 I have seen no evidence of quas upon the islands. Fines to the 

 amount of $16 have been imposed for minor offenses and the total 

 amount placed to the credit of the general fund. The condition of this 

 fund is as follows: Balance as per report of 1883, $181.05; received for 

 fines since, $36; paid for cleaning streets, $22.85; leaving a balance of 

 $194.20, which, unless you otherwise direct, will remain here to be 

 expended for the benefit of tlie natives as occasion may require. 



The condition of the oil fund is as follows : Balance as per report of 

 1883, $333.42; expended for pumps and repairs, as per voucher here- 

 with, $71.40; balance, $262.02, which will be needed in repairing and 

 purchasing new pumps from time to time. The natives are very 

 improvident and destructive in the use of pumps, and it is difificult to 

 find any which they do not easily destroy. 



No attempt at marauding has been made upon St. Paul Island during 

 the past year. I inclose report of Assistant Agent George Wardman, 

 giving an account of the appearance of a vessel off St. George with the 

 apparent intent of taking seals. During the sealing season, from the 

 1st of June to the 10th of August, vessels do not attempt to take seals 

 on or near the islands. The employees of the Alaska Commercial Com- 



