SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 11 



I am further in receipt of information that certain whites use poison 

 to kill foxes. This should be prohibited under stringent penalties. 



LAND LAWS. 



The growth of the population in Alaska and the amount of money- 

 invested in the Territory is increasing yearly. It is believed that a 

 large immigration will set in as soon as Congress shall extend through- 

 out the Territory the general land laws or some other system enabling 

 the settler to acquire private ownership in land, a privilege now 

 accorded only to the occupiers of town sites, to the owners of mines 

 and canneries, and persons engaged in trade and manufacture. 



Many other suggestions will be found in the appended report of 

 Inspector Murray. I merely call attention in this brief report to cer- 

 tain broad and general facts and conclusions noted by me during the 

 course of my investigation. 



I Respectfully submitted. 



CHARLES S. HAMLIN, 



Assistant Secretary. 



The SECRETARY or THE TREASURY. 



TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 



OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, 

 Washington, D. 0., June 9, 189 L 



SIR: In view of the representations made affecting the customs 

 administration on the Pacific Coast, I desire you to visit San Francisco, 

 Portland, Oreg.. Port Townsend, and such other places as may be nec- 

 essary, for the purpose of making a personal inspection of said ports in' 

 order to ascertain the exact condition of affairs and the remedies 

 required to secure the proper conduct of the customs business. 1 also 

 desire you to make such inquiries as may be practicable with reference 

 to the salmon fisheries of Alaska, and the taking of seals on the Pribi- 

 lof Islands. Should it be necessary, in your judgment, to visit Alaska, 

 you should not hesitate to proceed there to obtain the desired infor- 

 mation. 



I inclose copies of bills which have been introduced in the House of 

 Representatives affecting the salmon, trout, and other fisheries in the 

 streams of Alaska. I also inclose a statement showing the number of 

 seals taken for all purposes from 1870 to 1893, both inclusive, which 

 may be of service to you in the course of your inquiries. 



Instructions will be sent to the commanding officers of the revenue 

 steamer Ruxh to the effect that said vessel will be at your disposal dur- 

 ing such time as you may be on the Pacific Coast. 



It is suggested upon your return that you give attention to the con- 

 sular sealing system, under which merchandise is permitted to pass the 

 frontier of the United States without critical inspection. The trans- 

 portation of freight between American ports via Canada should also 

 receive your attention. 



You will please make your arrangements to enter upon these duties 

 with as little delay as practicable, as the season is near at hand when 

 your inquiries may be prosecuted with the greatest advantage. 

 Respectfully, yours, 



J. G. CARLISLE, Secretary. 



Hon. C. S. HAMLIN, 



Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. 



