THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COMPANY. 87 



the sea-otter industry as Rear Admiral Voyevodsky attained during 

 the last year of his management of the Colonies. 



Of beavers 760 more were killed last year than in 1858. The annual 

 difference in the figures of this industry depends altogether upon local 

 and clioiatic circumstances, to which the northern natives are more or 

 less exposed. The excess of this year over last came chiefly from St. 

 Michaels and the Kolmakovsky redoubts. Castoreums also show an 

 excess of 470 pair over 1858. 



Of fur -seals the output was 11,160 less than in 1858. The reason 

 for this decrease given by the manager of the island of St. Paul is the 

 late spring, during which the females were prevented by ice from reach- 

 ing their hauling grounds and thereby lost their young. In explanation 

 of this occurrence I inclose a copy of the report of Mr. Repin, the 

 manager of the island. * 



I have dispatched Lieutenant Wehrman, of the Imperial l^avy, to 

 superintend the new buildings on St. Paul Island and to reorganize the 

 laboring force, which had become demoralized to a certain extent. 



An excess of 1,143 in this year's output over that of last year appeared 

 as to foxes, and of 1,174 as to blue foxes. A decrease apjiears in lynx 

 of 178 and in sal ties of 219. 



According to the report of the manager of Copper Island, sea-otters 

 are increasing there, and I have issued the strictest orders to prevent 

 their being disturbed. On Atka Island a decrease in sea-otters has 

 necessitated declaiiug a close season. 



Only one pond and thirty-six pounds of walrus ivory have been 

 received. The manager of Unga Island reports that on the northern 

 side of the Alaska peninsula, in Moller Bay, five hundred pounds w^ere 

 obtained in 1856 and 1857, and stored there. On his visit to Moller 

 Bay, in 1858, the ivory was not found, the walrus rookery had been 

 destroyed, and the storehouse burned. Who committed this robbery 

 is not known, but a few pieces of pilot bread and other remnants of 

 food, as well as an oar from a whaleboat and tracks of boots, x)oint to 

 the commission of the deed by whalers. 



This I have the honor to report to the board of administration. 



[Copy of letter of Repin, nian:i<i;er of tlie island of St. Panl, dated Jnuo 20, 1859, 

 addressed to the Cliief Manager.] 



Most GtRACIOUS Sir : I write to you to let you know that I received 

 all your orders and instructions and also other instructions from the 

 captain of the steamer. 



I see that you wish me to have killed on both islands not less than 

 60,000 fur seals of various grades. 



I would say to you, most gracious sir, that in my opinion it would 

 not be advisable to kill so large a number this year on St. Paul Island. 



The female seals came this year in May at the usual time after the 

 " sekatches" had landed. Only a few had come ashore, when, with a 

 strong northwest wind, the ice came from the north. It closed around 

 the islands and was ke^it there by the wind for thirteen days. The ice 

 was much broken and Avas kept in motion by the sea. 



It is an actual fact, most gracious sir, that the females could not reach 

 the shore through the ice. Some of the Aleuts went out as far as it was 

 safe to go on the larger pieces of ice, and they saAV the water full of 

 seals. When the northwest gale ceased, the ice remained for nearly a 

 week longer, beiag ground up in the heavy swell, and no females could 

 land. A few " sekatches " tried to go out to sea, but did not succeed. 



