28 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIHILOF ISLANDS. 



the seals which the Russians had evolved. It is evident that in these operations of 

 lS(i8 the natives were carrying out rules and methods which had become traditional 

 with them. One of these rules, as we learn from instructions to the officer in charge 

 of the islands in the year 1853, was the strict protection of females.* 



THE KILLING NOT INDISCRIMINATE. 



We are also justified in assuming that the killing as practiced in ISGS did not in 

 any way injure the herd, being confined as heretofore to the killing of the bachelors. 

 That so large a number were killed is in part accounted lor by reduction in killing 

 in the years immediately prior to the transfer of the islands to the United States. A 

 surplus of the larger animals thus saved remained to be gathered in. It is further 

 evident that the killing extended down to the younger seals, doubtless including all 

 or most of the two-year olds. This latter tact is given support by the absence of any 

 regular killing for the year 1869 and the small quota of 23,000 only which was taken 

 in 1870. We are not aware that the usual number of seals could not have been 

 obtained in these years, but it may well have been that the quota lor 1809 and 1870 

 had been anticipated to large extent in the year 1808. This much, however, remains 

 certain, that the absence of large killings in 1809 and 1870 removed any possible 

 injury which might have resulted to the herd from the too close killing of bachelors in 

 1868, and the fact that for fifteen years subsequent to 1870, 100,000 and more males 

 were to be obtained on the hauling grounds of the islands shows conclusively that not 

 only were the breeding females not disturbed in 1808, but furthermore that the supply 

 of male life was not so reduced as in any way to affect the life of the herd. 



AMERICAN MANAGEMENT. 



In the spring of IS09 Dr. II. H. Mclntyre, the representative of the United States 

 Government, landed upon the island, establishing the authority of the Government, 

 and taking the necessary steps for the protection of the rookeries. 



The period of lawlessness which marked the season of 1808 was thus terminated 

 in 1809 by Dr. iSIcIntyre. He was api)ointed in 1808 and endeavored to reach his 

 destination in the fall of that year, but on account of the lateness of the season he 

 was forced to winter at Sitka. 



THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY. 



In the meantime the Government had under consideration the most advaiitageous 

 method of managing its fur-seal industry. After a thorough consideration of all 

 recommendations and suggestions bearing ujion the matter, it was decided to lease 

 the islands to a single reliable company under the immediate supervision and control 

 of agents of the Treasury Department, duly commissioned for that purpose. In 

 accordance with this decision in July, 1870, Congress passed an act authorizing this 

 course of procedure, and immediately afterwards the Secretary of the Treasury 

 advertised for bids for the lease of the seal fisheries for a period of twenty years. 



Of the numerous offers received from various companies and associations, that of 

 the Alaska Commercial Company, with a capital of $2,000,000, was accepted as the 

 one most likely to promote the 'interests of the Government, the native inhabitants, 

 the parties heretofore engaged in the trade, and the protection of the seal fisheries." 



'Appendix to Case of U. S., Fnr Seal .\rb., Letter No. 23, p. 82. 



