362 ORAL ARGUMENT OF FREDERICK R. COUDERT, ESQ. 



I tliiuk that is an understatement from what I have read about the 

 cattle on the phiins. It is easier to control the seals; but I do not stop 

 to d^yell on this. 



In fact, they nnicli resemlile these latter in the timidity of the females and the 

 ferocity of the males. One example of tlie ease with which they can lie controlled 

 is mentioned by Mr. Falconer, who speaks of a herd of three thoiisaud bachelor seals 

 being left in charge of a boy after they had. been driven a short distance from the 

 hauling grounds. 



Then : 



Mr. Henry N. Clark who was for six years, 



that is, from 1884 to 1889, 



in the employ of the Alaska Commercial Company and in charge of the sealing gang 

 on yt. George Island, and who is therefore especially competent to speak of the pos- 

 sibilities of driving and handling the seals, says. I wa.'j reared on a farm and liave 

 been familiar from Ijoy-hood with the breeding of domestic animals, and particularly 

 with the rearing and management of young animals, hence the comi)arison of the 

 young seals with the young of our common domestic species is most natural. From 

 my experience witii both I am able to declare positively that it is easier to manage 

 and handle young seals tiian calves or lambs. Large numbers of the former are 

 customarily driven up in the fall by the natives to kill a certain number for food, 

 and all could be rounded up as the prairie cattle are if there was any need for doing 

 so. All the herd so driven are lifted up one by one and examined as to sex, and 

 while in this position each could be branded or marked if necessary. If the seal 

 rookeries were my personal property I should regard the task of branding all the 

 young as no more difticult or onerous than the branding of all my calves if I were 

 engaged in breeding cattle upon the prairies. 



The testimony as to this is found in volume 5 as is noted here. 



The foregoiug statement as to the possibility of branding the young seals is sup- 

 ported by otliers ei|nally exjierienced in seal life in the islands. Dr. Mclntyre so 

 long ex])erienced in the handling of seals, says that they are as controllable and 

 amenable to good manageuient upon the islands as sheep and cattle, and several 

 other witnesses make like aliirmations. Chi'ef Anton ilelovedoff, already mentioned, 



He is one of those who has the most experience and knowledge on 

 the subject, 



states that it is usually supposed that seals are like wild animals. That is not so. 

 They are used to the uiitives ami will not run from them. The little pups Avill come 

 to them, aud even in the fall, when they are older, we can take them up in otir 

 hands and see whetlier they are males or females. We can drive the seals about in 

 little or large bands just as we want thom to go, and they aie easy to manage. 

 Several other rribilof islanders and white men long resident there make similar 

 statements. 



This peculiar susceptibility to control has also been and is recognised by such a 

 well-known scientist as Dr. 13. von Middendorff, of Russia, who, in a letter dated 

 May 6/18, 1!S92, says: "This animal is of counnercial importance and was created for 

 a domestic animal, 



my learned friends on the other side, I am glad to see, think there is 

 something humorous about this, so I will read it again. 



" This animal is of commercial importance and was created for a domestic animal, 

 as I pointed out many years ago," 



as we shall show by other evidence. 



The TiiESiDENT. — Are you aware that the lirandiug of the seals has 

 ever been practically used. 



Mr. CoUDERT. — 1 presume not, why should it be? If we are dealing 

 with a lawless band of men ou the high seas, who say that the freedom 

 of the seas does not permit us to use our property, how would branding 

 help usi 



The President. — Would it be practicable, that is what I want to 

 know. 



