40 Sketches of an Excursion to Southern Alaska. 



altogether the most economical, and most fruitful in ultimate results, as licar 

 ing upon the complete civilization of the people. I propose to prepare a mon. 

 ograph on this subject for the use of the Board of Home Missions. The diess 

 and manners of some members of this tribe, who were visiting at Fort VVrangcl, 

 produced a very favorable impression. 



To illustrate the great diversity in estimates of population: General Howard 

 received the report of 130 Tongass Indians in 1875 ; Judge Swan, U. S. Com- 

 missioner, who visited the tribe about four nionihs later, received an estimate 

 of 400. I have heard the number placed as h gh as 700, which is no doubt 

 extrav.igant. Rev. S. H. Young, who counted this tribe in 18S0, places their 

 whole number at 267. 



ni. Abfeast of the Tongass Inlet is Prince of Wales Ii.land, the southern 

 extremity of which overlaps 54° 40', and it is the most sourhern po nt in Alas- 

 ka. This great island is the largest of the Alexander Arcnipelago. The cli- 

 mate, especially on the coast toward the ocean, the contour of the land, and 

 the vegetable productions, all indicate a region as salui)rious and agreeable a 

 the most favored spots within the great elliptical arch of Alaska. It is not 

 known that the interior has ever been explored. On its coasts and a lja:ent 

 isles are several villages and settlements. The population was once numerous; 

 but "civilized" vices and epidemics have almjst extinguished some of the 

 to.vns, and greatly reduced all. Tiirj ari, h^wevar, h lalreds remiininj, act 

 cording to the best accounts, who are open to the ameliorating influences of 

 civilization. 



The natives on this island are the Hydahs, Klowaks and Hanegas. The 

 Hanagas and Klowaks are Tlinkets. The Hydahs cama from British Col- 

 umbia. Their history affords a more interesting chapter than that of the 

 Tlinkets, chiefly because they survived some of the prevalent curses which 

 have exterminated other uncivilized races when brought into close contact with 

 a covetous and dominating people. And it is reported, that diseases once so 

 destructive among them, have been less prevalent of late years; and that tiieii 

 numbers are increasing. Their survival is due, not to the forbearance of the 

 "superior" race, but to their constitutional adaptability to improvement and 

 progress. With such aptitudes, the Nass and Simpsian Indians are rapidly 

 conforming to the most substantial and satisfactory conditions of civilization. 

 The Nass River, Fort Simpson, and Methlakatla Indians, have made a degree 

 of progress which should satisfy thj most exacting critics, of their capacity for 

 It is true that the faithful labors of these christian teachers have not been 

 improvement and for self-government. Let it n^ver be forgotten, that Chris, 

 tianily, both leader and coadjutor of progress, has taken them by the hand 

 and led them forth. 



The Haidahs of Prince of Wales Island are equally promising. The quali- 

 ties to which I refer, are expressed in physical vigor, in courage, and industry; 

 in manual skill and ingenuity, displayed in the construction of immense canoes, 

 the erection of very large and durable houses, invention and manufacture of 

 tools, nets, colors, the practice of arts of design, exhibited in embroidery, en- 



