ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 271 



number of houses for the natives is one of importance and upon which 

 information is required; suggestions are also invited as to improve- 

 ments which can and should be made by the company to maintain and 

 iusure the health of the inhabitants. Hygienic and sanitary condi- 

 tions should be looked into and recommendations made. You will use 

 every endeavor and take all necessary precaution to secure the inter- 

 ests of the Government and of the inhabitants of the islands, and, at 

 the same time, to protect the lessees in the enjoyment of all the rights 

 and privileges granted to them under the lease. 



In case of any difl'erence or dispute between the natives and the 

 agents of the lessees in reference to any matter whatsoever, you will 

 adjust it in a fair and impartial manner, and both parties must abide 

 by your decision. 



When the sealing season is over you will return to San Francisco on 

 one of the United States revenue cutters, if practicable, and come at 

 once to Washington to submit your report. Before leaving the islands 

 you will arrange to have a Treasury agent remain on each of them dur- 

 ing the winter. 



These instructions apply to both islands, and a copy should be given 

 the agent in charge of St. George for his guidance there. 

 Eespectfnlly, yours, 



Charles Foster, 



Secretary. 



Maj. W. H. Williams, 



Special Treasury Agent, 



Care of Revenue Cutter Rush. 



Annual Report of Special Agent Williams, for 1891. 



Washington, D. C, December 3, 1891. 



SiR: In pursuance of instructions contained in Department's tele- 

 gram of May 27, 1891, 1 left San Francisco on that date on the revenue 

 cutter Rush, arrived at St. Paul, Alaska, on the evening of June 10, 

 and at once assumed the duties assigned me. I found Assistant Agent 

 Joseph Murray in charge at St. Paul, and Assistant Agent A. W. 

 Lavender in charge at St. George Island, and as both preferred to have 

 their official stations remain as they were, it was so arranged. Assist- 

 ant Agent S. E. Nettleton remained on St. Paul until the last of July 

 and was then assigned to St. George to assist Agent Lavender and to 

 take charge on that island about September 1, at which time Agent 

 Lavender had jiermission to proceed to San Francisco. 



Treasury Inspector Milton Barnes was assigned to assist Agent 

 Murray on St. Paul Island, and to take charge of the Government 

 interests and relieve Agent Murray September 1, the latter having 

 permission to return to San Francisco at that time. Agent Nettleton 

 is accompanied by Mrs. Nettleton, who will teach school on St. George 

 Island, her compensation to be determined at close of school year, and 

 after consultation with the president of the Korth American Commer- 

 cial Company, Mr. Simeon Melivedoft", a native sealer has been placed 

 in charge of the schools on St. Paul Island by the lessees. His com- 

 pensation, I understand, has been fixed at $50 per month. 



The lessees were prohibited from killing seals for the season of 1890 

 after July 20. The first killing for food after that date was made by 



