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LETTER TO THE SECEETAEY OF THE TREASURY. 



Washington, 1). C, Nove/aher 1 G, IST'i. 



Sir: Iu compliance \vitb the provisions of the act of Congress 

 api)roved April 22, 1874, I have the honor to snbniit the fol- 

 lowing report upon the condition and importance of the fur- 

 trade in the Territory of Alaska ; "the present condition of the 

 seal-fisheries of Alaska ; the haunts and habits of the seal ; the 

 preservation and extension of the fisheries as a source of reve- 

 nue to the United States, with like information respecting the 

 fur-bearing animals of Alaska generally ; the statistics of the 

 fur-trade ; and the condition of the people or natives, especially 

 those upon "whom the successful prosecution of the fisheries and 

 fur-trade is dependent :'' 



The first measure suggested by my inves'jigations this season, 

 is one of reform in the present government of the Territory. Ife 

 is supposed that a useless outlay of money and labor is 

 not intended to be persisted in, when the same annual expend- 

 iture will give prompt and effective supervision over interests 

 iu that region which seem now to be sadly neglected. The 

 present mismanagement of affairs in Alaska is not attributable 

 to any other cause than that of the universal ignorance prevail- 

 ing in the United States, at the time of the transfer, in regard 

 to the form of government needed, and since then no one seems 

 to have taken any intelligent or active interest iu the matter. 

 In the following report, herewith submitted, I desire to draw 

 your attention to the statements and suggestions contained in 

 the chapter devoted to this subject, and I trust that yon may 

 be pleased to give them your approval. 



The pecuniary value of the fur-seal interests of the Govern-, 

 ment renders it highly important that the Treasury Department, 

 now intrusted with its care and snpervi&ion, should possess 

 definite and authoritative information as to its proper manage- 

 ment — for its perpetuation in its original integrity, at least. I, 

 therefore, take great pleasure in calling your attention especially 

 to the accompanying report upon the subject, which embodies 

 the results of three seasons' (1872, 1873, and 1874) close per- 



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