^8 ALASKA, 



100,000 did not, at first, appear to lead to any diminution in the 

 numbers ot the herd; and it was only in the year 1890, or a few 

 years prior to that time, that a diminution in the numbers of the 

 herd was first observed. This diminution was at that time attrib- 

 uted to causes of which I shall presently say something. 



Such was the industry established by the United States. It 

 was a very beneficial industry — beneficial, in the first instance, to 

 herself. She had adopted the practice of leasing these islands 

 upon long terms — twenty years — to a private corporation; and 

 those leases contained an obligation to pay a large annual sum in 

 the shape of a revenue tax and a gross sum of some $60,000 as 

 rent. In addition to that, the lessees were required by the terms 

 of the lease to pay to the United States Government a certain 

 sum upon every seal captured by them, which, of course, resulted 

 in the enjoyment by the United States of a still larger revenue. 

 It was beneficial to the lessees, for it is to be supposed, and such 

 is the fact, that they were enabled to make a profit notwith- 

 standing the large sums they WTre compelled to pay to the 

 United States Government upon the seal skins secured by them. 

 But while it was profitable to the United States and profitable to 

 the lessees, I may say — and this is what at all times I wish to 

 impress upon this Tribunal — it was still more important and 

 beneficial to the world at large. The fur seal is one of the boun- 

 ties of Providence, bestowed, as all the bounties of Providence 

 are, upon mankind in general, not for the benefit of this partic- 

 ular nation or that particular nation, but for the benefit of all; 

 and all the benefit, of course, which mankind can get from that 

 blessing is to secure the annual taking, use, and enjoyment of 

 the increase of the animal. That is all they can obtain from it. 

 If they seek to obtain more, it is an abuse of the blessing, involv- 

 ing destruction — necessary destruction — and they soon deprive 

 themselves of the benefit altogether. 



This, therefore, was the benefit to mankind which was made pos- 



