ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 299 



people, it is my conviction that their chnrcb services, if condncted in the English 

 language, would be a powerful agent in improving them educationally. 



1 would recommend that a competent female teacher Ite employed. A large 

 majority of the pupils are girls, and they are in need of domestic knowledge more 

 than any other. A uniform "system of schoolbooks, such as are in use at the Gov- 

 ernment school at Unalaska, would be an improvement upon the l)ooks now in use. 

 The school-teacher and the doctor should be employees of the Government and subject 

 to the order of the officer in charge. Better government of the island would be the 

 result. 



The widows, orphans, and destitute persons on the island should be supplied with 

 all the necessaries of life by tlie North American Commercial Company in accord- 

 ance with the conditions of the lease, and I would respectfully recommend that a 

 weekly ration of food, an allowance of fuel, and a quarterly allowance of clothing 

 be lixed by the Secretary of the Treasury, to be distributed by tbe officer in charge. 

 This would be more satisfactory to the natives and relieve the company of all respon- 

 sibility. 



The North American Commercial Company has delivered to the officer in charge 

 15 barrels of salt salmon, which, together with 10 barrels left over from last season, 

 is more than sufficient for use during the coming winter and spring. Why the change 

 has been made, and salt salmon substituted for dried, I do not know. 



They have also delivered to the officer in charge 30 tons of coal, which is a portion 

 of the 80 tons to be furnished free for use of natives on both islands. In addition 

 thereto, they have delivered 30 tons of coal on an order from the Secretary of the 

 Treasury, and a receipt for the same was signed. 



The violations of the lease mentioned in my letter to the Department in April last 

 have been satisfactorily adjusted. The price of wood has been reduced and is now 

 sold as cheaply as it can be without loss to the company. 



The merchandise purchased this year for sale to the natives is first class in every 

 particular, and the prices charged therefor are reasonable. All goods are marked 

 to sell at 25 per cent above wholesale cost in San Francisco. 



The general agent of the company has agreed to make all necessary repairs to the 

 dwellings asked for by me; he also agreed to attend to the hygienic and sanitary 

 condition of the island. 



The Government officers and employees of the company, if married men, who are 

 to remain on the island during the winter season, should have their families with 

 them. This practice would have a moral influence over the native inhabitants which 

 can be obtained in no other Avay. 



In the selection of school teachers I am pleased to state that the Department has 

 acted upon the suggestion of the present Treasury agents, and Mrs. Nettleton will 

 hereafter act as teacher iipon the island of St. George; and I am satisfied that the 

 pu))ils will improve Aery much in domestic and other knowledge. 



There were more than 1,100 foxes trapped on the island last winter, which was 400 

 in excess of the number which should have been taken. 



Tlie North American Commercial Company has raised the price of fox skins over 

 that paid by the former lessees. This encourages the natives to attend to their traps 

 better than they have done in former years, and unless the number taken be limited 

 each year, this valuable species of fur-bearing animal will in a short time be exter- 

 minated. 



That there were too many killed during the winter of 1890-91 is plain to any 

 person who is familiar with the island. The maximum number annually to be taken 

 should not exceed 700. By forbidding the practice of trapping during the winter of 

 1891-92, I think 700 could be taken each year hereafter without danger of extermi- 

 nation. 



Satisfactory arrangements have been made whereby the natives can obtain the 

 necessaries of life during the coming winter, and I do not anticipate unusual sufi'er- 

 ing among them. All their money will be gone before spring, with a very little pros- 

 pect of a large number of seals being taken next season. Some arrangement should 

 therefore be made whereby they can be supplied with food and clothing during the 

 winter of 1892 and 1893. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Albert W. Lavender, 

 Assistant Treasury Agent. 



Maj. W. H. Williams, 



Agent in Charge of the Seal Islands, Alaska. 



