216 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



they are willing or even would come to these islands to live. He has no 

 facility for traveling to either Otter or Walrus islands, both within a 

 range of 10 miles to this island (and it is his duty to visit them occa- 

 sionally), without it is through the courtesy extended by the Alaska 

 Commercial Company, and at no little expense to the company. If it 

 is deemed advisable to send a vessel along the Aleutian chain to secure 

 strong, healthy male laborers, who are willing to come to these islands 

 and make them their future homes, it should be done at once, under the 

 supervision of a Treasury agent familiar with the conditions of St. 

 Paul and St. George islands, accompanied by a resident physician from 

 one of the islands. 



On June 27 the Alaska Commercial Company, through Dr. H. H, 

 Mclntyre, their general manager, furnished me a boat, manned and 

 rigged, and I visited Otter Island, and found about 2,000 killable seals, 

 and many were in the water near by. Under the present lease the 

 lessees are not allowed to kill seals on this island. Consequently they 

 are not molested, unless taken by pirates, which has 'been the result 

 once or twice in the past. This island and Walrus should be included 

 in the next lease. The number of resident laborers on this island at 

 present is 52, aged from 03 to 13 years, classified as follows: Clubbers, 

 6; stickers, 6; flippers, 8; skinners, 32. The number of laborers from 

 Unalaska is 23. These men did general work, such as salting skins, 

 booking, bundling, and delivering them to the warehouse ready for 

 shipment. This entire work was formerly done by the natives, but of 

 late years the native force became too small, compelling the Alaska 

 Commercial Company to introduce labor from abroad. These men, 

 however, are paid by the Alaska Commercial Company, and the natives 

 receive the entire proceeds of the catch. The number of seals killed 

 upon this island this season was 85,000 and sea lions 25. The killing 

 commenced June 5 and ended July 31. The natives realized $33,759.80 

 for the season's catch, which was distributed as per inclosed statement. 

 On June 26 the United States man-of war the Thetis^ Lieutenant- 

 Commander Stockton, arrived from Sitka; also the United States 

 cutter Bnsh, Captain Sheperd. The Thetis left the following day at 

 Eoon for St. Michaels, en route for Point Barrow, and the Bush June 28, 

 for a cruise through Bering Sea. 



On July 18 Mr. Webster, the Alaska Commercial Company's agent 

 at Northeast Point, this island, sighted a schooner about 5 miles off the 

 island. On July 25 the United States cutter Rush, Captain Sheperd, 

 again anchored at east landing, and informed me that he had seized 

 the British schooners Maiiie and Black Diamond. The Mattie was 

 seized July 17, and had on board 418 seal skins. The Blade Diamond 

 was seized July 11, with 70 seal skins aboard. He also informed me 

 that there were no less than thirty schooners in Bering Sea with pred- 

 atory intentions. If these piratical vessels are allowed to butcher 

 the seals regardless of age and sex the seals of Alaska will soon be 

 exterminated. The prosjjerity of these world-renowned rookeries is 

 fast fading away under tlie present annual catch allowed by law, and 

 this indiscreet slaughter now being waged in these wateis will only 

 hasten the end of the fur seals of the Pribilof islands. Cai)tain Sheperd 

 is a faithful, conscientious, and energetic officer, and is deserving the 

 loudest encomium from the Department, but without assistance it is 

 impossible for him to police these waters effectually. 



On the retirement of Mr. J. P. Manchester the Department loses a 

 fearless, faithful, and honorable officer — one who has in the perform- 

 ance of his duties reflected credit ujion himself and honor on his Gov- 



