Plans for Imfiroviiii^ the Natives. 4 1 



graving jewelry of gold and silver, carving in wood and ivory, weaving- varioi> 

 fabrics, and decorations; the readiness with wtiich they adopt civilized cu>ton2s 

 in dress, fiirniUire and manners; and lastly iheir eay;er and hungering desire 

 for schools and missionaries. 



There are three or four good localities for missions among these Maidihs. 

 Only one miss. on is, however, expedient for the present. 



I designate the IlaiJdis for a full mission not as fif'h in importance, but a*' 

 third, that is, next to Wrangel and Siika. But I would not locate it unlil \ 

 had explored the island sufficiently to arrive at intelligent and well balanced 

 conclusions. I designate this archipelago, on account of its geographical po. 

 sition — a reason which needs for confirmation only a glance at the map. And 

 I propo.ve it also on account of the connection which subsists between the Hai- 

 dahs and the Tlinkets. They are neighbors, with whom they maintain inter- 

 course for traffic and in social relations. As the predominant characteristic- 

 and pursuits of the Hydahs and the Tlinkets are so nearly identical, so theis 

 geogriphical location in licates a comm^m interest and destiny. And any com- 

 prehensive plan for their improvement must be deduced from the common fact^: 

 and principles. It remains for us in the Providence of God to shape their des- 

 tiny for all time, as well as for eternity. My daily prayer is that God will 

 show us His plan, and give us grace and wisdom to prosecute that, and no 

 other.* 



I have now conducted you from the apex of the great elliptical arch east- 

 ward and southward to the boundary line. In most of the voyage we have 

 had plain sailing, and cook observations over the entire landscape. Let us re- 

 turn to two of the ports, which we purposely passed by. The first is Sitka, 

 which requires only a few observations. 



THE SITKA MISSION 



can be immediately re-opened upon the arrival of a missionary. Room can be 

 obtained as before of the Government, rent free, for schools and public wor" 

 ship ; and accommodations for the family on the same terms, or at nominal 

 rent. Unusual care should be exercised in the choice of a missionary for this 

 place. It is a position of unusual importance, owing in part to the fact that 

 Sitka is the principal rendezvous of the United States Government, ( so far as 

 it maintains any in this forsaken Territory,) and in part to the fact that infor- 

 mation from distant sections of Alaska, and from the vast seas that stretch to 

 Asia ant' the Arctic, concentrates at Sitka. Ships bound in either direction 

 commonly take the "outside passage," and touch at no other port in Alaska. 

 Sitka and its surroundings present great attractions to tourists, whose numbers 

 are increasing. Miners, traders, trappers mingle in the streets with Russians, 

 half-breeds, aborigines — not a numerous crowd, but destined to enlarge. Sit- 

 ka is the home of the tribe of the same name, a powerful branch of the Tlink- 

 et stock. Members of other tribes congregate here. No indolent, irregular, 



*I am co'istaiitly driven to condense even the substance of my report, and to summarise 

 v.'hat I w,jalj like to amplify. 



