Geographical. — Climatic. — Population . 3 ^ 



is located. With these five or six missions we would gather around us or bring 

 under our influence the entire Tiinket people ; and we would train in our mis- 

 sions the future teachers of Alaska. 



I now proceed to explain some of the reasons for confining our work, for 

 the present, to the Tiinket people. I am the more desirous to set these rea- 

 sons forth at some length in consequence of some wild and unsupported state- 

 ments concerning the Alaska tribes, which have gained currency in our church, 

 and which if allowed to pass without question might lead the Board to ill-ad- 

 vised measures. Dr. Kendall will remember the long conferences which I had 

 with him on the steamer Cassiar in the Slahkcen River, in which I explained 

 my reasons for opposing the establishment of any missions at the present time 

 as far west as Kodiak, and for limiting our mission work to these people. I 

 shall not be able to expand my report to the dimensions of my argument on 

 that occasion ; but there are incontrovertible data, which understood and adopt- 

 ed as the basis of action, will save the Board from the humiliation of failure. 



ADVANTAGES OF CONCENTRATION. 



Our work being confined to the Tlinkets and Hydahs will be in a measure 

 Concentrated ; and therefore will have the greater promise of effectiveness. We 

 reach various tribes having the same language, customs and traditions, and 

 moved therefore by common impulses, inspired by faith in a common destiny 

 yet to be awakened by us. We seize the helm of Alaska's moral power. The 

 Tlinkets and Hydahs occupy the ground nearest to civilization. The more 

 northern Alaskans, as they see the light shining in from the south, will be at- 

 tracted by it. The Tlinkets and Hydahs, inspired with the missionary spirit 

 under our training, will become the leaders and the teachers of the other Alas- 

 ka races. The Tlinkets are less scattered than the other races. Indeed, mis- 

 sions to any other tribes would be very expensive, and difficult to maintain a^ 

 the present time. 



Beyond Cross Sound to Copper River, the apex of the great arch, there are 

 scattered families or groups whom natives teachers should reach. We could 

 not employ any "white" missionary among them, excepting as an itineran 

 coasting the entire region for hundreds of miles. 



SURVEYS WEST OF CROSS SOUND. 



I was unable to obtain satisfactory information about the Yukatats and Uga- 

 lenzes, further west and extending to Copper River. Indeed, it is quite likely 

 that a tour of exploration made by a competent man, will be indispensable to 

 arrive at any satisfactory degree ot accuracy about the inhabitants of the coast 

 from Cross Sound to Prince William Sound, and Cook's Inlet. 



THE KENAIANS. 



On Prince William Sound we encounter the Kenaians or Koniagas occupy- 

 ing the peninsula of Kenai lying between Prince William Sound and Cook's 

 Inlet, and also the Island of Kodiak. These people, especially those on the 

 island, are and have been for many years adherents of the Russo-Greek church. 



