DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 19 



It was persistently said at the beginning, that, in the first place, 

 owing to the superstition of the Siberian natives, live deer could not 

 be purchased; in the second place, that the habits of the deer were 

 such that they could not stand transportation; in the third place, 

 that the environments in Alaska would be so different from those of 

 Siberia that they would not thrive; and, in the fourth place, that the 

 Alaskan dogs would scatter and destroy the herd. Each one of these 

 objections has been disproved by actual experience, and now the whole 

 subject resolves itself into a question of time and money. If liberal 

 appropriations can be had from Congress the work of introduction and 

 distribution will go forward with great rapidity. If, however, the 

 appropriations are to continue small the success will be none the less 

 sure, but the progress much slower. The present and ever increasing- 

 scarcity of the food supply of the region would seem to make it impor- 

 tant that the work be pushed as rapidly as is consistent with thorough- 

 ness. 



As already stated, in July last Capt. Wagner purchased a few rein- 

 deer in Siberia, giving among other articles some whisky. 



The result was that when the Bear returned to the Siberian coast 

 after more reindeer, the natives refused to trade unless they could be 

 paid partly in whiskey. 



As Capt. Healy could not concede that to them, the Government 

 lost the purchase of one hundred reindeer that could otherwise have 

 been secured. 



This incident is a seasonable warning to the friends of the movement 

 to introduce reindeer into Alaska, that regulations and safe-guards 

 must be provided by which no private parties, except the Eskimo, 

 shall be allowed to trade for reindeer, for a term of years, and until the 

 Government undertaking is well established. 



If private parties are allowed to purchase reindeer, the price will be 

 advanced from three to fourfold beyond their real value; and while the 

 Government, unable to barter with liquor, will be compelled to pay the 

 increased and exhorbitant charges or go without, private parties trad- 

 ing whisky will procure them at a mere nominal price. 



Again, if white men are allowed to establish herds, they will not get 

 into the hands of the natives, and the main object in the enterprise 

 will be defeated. 



I would, therefore, recommend that legislation be secured for the pro- 

 tection of the Government in the laudable effort to introduce domesti- 

 cated reindeer as the commencement of civilization among the Eskimo 

 of Alaska. 



In 1891 small herds of reindeer were turned loose upon the islands 

 of Unalaska and Amaknak, of the Aleutian group ; and it is desirable 

 that in the near future all the larger islands of the Aleutian group 

 should be stocked with reindeer. I would, therefore, further recommend 



