ALASKA. 243 



" The fur-seals ('sea-cats') astonish us by their great num- 

 bers, as they gradually come up on to their breeding-places, 

 notwithstanding harsh and foolish treatment of them, continued 

 almost half a century (until 1824) without mercy. 



" In the first years, on Saint Paul's Island, from 50,000 to 

 00,000 were taken annually, and on Saint George from 40,000 

 to 50,000 every year. Such horrible killing was neither neces- 

 sary nor demanded. The skins were frequently taken without 

 any list or count. In 1803, 800,000 seal-skins had accumulated, 

 and it was impossible to make advantageous sale of so many 

 skins; for in this great number so many were spoiled that it 

 •became necessary to cut or throw into the sea 700,000 pelts! 

 If G. Eezanov (our minister to Japan) had not given this his 

 attention, and put himself between the animals and this foolish 

 management of them, it appears plainly to me that these crea- 

 tures would have long ago changed for the worse. 



" Of the number of skius taken up to 1817, 1 have no knowl- 

 edge to rely upon, but from that time, and up to the present 

 writing, I have true aud reliable accounts, which I put in the 

 appendix to this volume. From these lists it will be seen that 

 still in 1820, on both islands, there were killed more than 50,000 

 seals, viz, on Saint Paul's, 39,700; and on Saint George, 10,250. 

 There were eye-witnesses to the reason for this diminution of 

 the seals, and it is only wonderful besides that they are still 

 existing, as they have been treated almost without mercy so 

 many years. The cows produce only one pup each every year. 

 They have known deadly enemies, aud also are still ex[)osed to 

 man^-foes unknown. From this killing of the seals they steadily 

 grew less, except on one occasion, which was on Saint George's 

 Island, where an opportunity was given suddenly to kill a large 

 number ; but the circumstances do not seem to be important. 

 On one occasion a drive was made of 15,000 male and female 

 seals, but the night was dark, and it was not practicable to 

 separate the cows from the males ; and they were, therefore, 

 allowed to stand over until daylight should come. The men 

 put in charge of the herding of the drove were careless, and 

 the seals took advantage of this negligence, and made an 

 attempt to escai)e by throwing themselves from the bluffs over 

 the beach near by into the sea ; but, as this bluff was steep, 

 high, rough, and slippery, they fell over and were all injured. 

 Xow, for the first time, great numbers of seals were missed, 

 aud why, it was not significant or apparent ; but 9n the follow- 

 ing year, instead of the appearance and catch of 40,000 or 



