270 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



families in which are a number of young men. It is thought that there 

 will be no trouble in finding suitable persons willing to go there, and it 

 may be well to canvass the matter among the people now living upon 

 the islands and devise some way of making the selection. Care should 

 of course be taken not to add to the number of sick or infirm persons 

 already there, but the bringing of men from the Aleutian chain to 

 remain for the season only has a demoralizing effect, both upon them 

 and upon the permanent residents of the islands. 



Inclosed are copies of the lease and laws under which it was made, 

 and you are empowered to make any additions to the regulations 

 already in force as may be necessary for the guidance of the officers of 

 the Department, the company's agents, and the natives, in the govern- 

 ment of the islands. 



The Government's agents should be as free as possible from depend- 

 ence in any way upon the favor of the lessees, and to this end, where 

 possible, tliey should live in the houses provided for them. The agents, 

 when married men, should be encouraged to take their wives with them 

 and to provide themselves as far as possible with facilities for keeping 

 house. This would tend to a better state of discipline on the islands 

 and offer more wholesome examples in the way of civilization to the 

 inhabitants. 



Mrs. IsTettleton will accompany her husband, and you are hereby 

 directed to place her in charge of one of the schools, and to determine 

 with the com]»any a fair compensation for her services, which will be 

 paid by them in accordance with the terms of their lease. The schools 

 will be maintained from September 1 to May 31, and be open five days 

 in the week, Saturday being regarded as a day of rest for the teacher 

 and recreation for the children. It will be the principal duty of the 

 teacher to instruct the children in acquiring a knowledge of the English 

 language. Russian is not to be taught in the schools, and the church 

 oflicers must be restrained from interfering with the children in acquir- 

 ing a knowledge of English, and should be advised that they will only 

 do harm if they attempt to thwart the -purpose of the Government in 

 having the children educated in the language of their country. 



The North American Commercial Company, under their lease, have 

 the exclusive privilege to trade in seal skins on the islands of St. Paul 

 and St. George, and it is believed that the best interests of the natives 

 will be subserved by excluding all traders from the islands. You will, 

 therefore, regard it a special duty to see that fair prices are paid for 

 all fur skins disposed of by the natives to the company. 



You will, during tlie killing season, personally superintend on the 

 grounds, and while the lessees will have control and direction of the 

 native labor while driving and killing, yet it must be remembered by 

 all on the islands that you are the officer in charge, and if you discover 

 any faulty methods, or can suggest any changes for the better, prompted 

 by humane or other considerations, you should not hesitate to direct 

 such changes to be made, and the company's representatives are ex- 

 pected to carry out your suggestions in good faith and spirit. 



You will endeavor to secure the good will and confidence of the native 

 inhabitants of the islands, and advise them, whenever practicable, of 

 their rights and duties as American citizens, and by proper means try 

 to increase their friendship for the Government and tlie people of the 

 United States. 



It is desired that you make a thorough examination of the houses of 

 the natives, and insist that the company shall make such repairs as are 

 needed to render them comfortable. The question of an insufificient 



