DOMESTICATE! i REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 125 



150 to 300 head of domesticated reindeer and transporting them with their keepers 

 over to the island of St. Lawrence. 



If upon arrival off the coast of Siberia it is found that too much time will be con- 

 sumed in negotiating for the reindeer, the captain may, if he deems best, place a 

 lieutenant and a couple of men in camp on shore to conduct the negotiations for the 

 reindeer, while the ship continues on her way, calling for them on her return. 



St. Lawrence Island is about 100 by 20 miles in extent, and is well fitted as a cen- 

 tral depot and base of operations for the future distribution of domesticated reindeer 

 on the adjacent shores of Alaska. The island being only about 40 miles distant from 

 the coast of Siberia, it will take but a few hours after the reindeer are loaded to 

 transport them across. 



It is proposed to hire a few of the Siberian men to accompany the reindeer and 

 take charge of them under the supervision of the white teacher stationed upon the 

 island. These Siberian herders will also teach the young men of Alaska the man- 

 agement of the animals. 



CAPT. M. A. HEALY, U.'S. REVENUE MARINE, AUTHORIZED TO TRANSPORT 

 REINDEER FROM SIBERIA. 



Treasury Department, 

 Office of the Secretary, 

 Washington, J). <?., May 18, 1891. 

 Sir : Rev. Sheldon Jackson has been designated by the Bureau of 

 Education, Department of the Interior, to procure domesticated rein- 

 deer from Siberia for the purpose of introducing the animals into 

 Alaska, both to increase the present insufficient food supply for the 

 natives and to create a new and profitable industry which will insure 

 their self-support; and that Department has requested your coopera- 

 tion both in the purchase and transportation of the reindeer. It is 

 proposed, as will be seen from the inclosed copy of memorandum, that 

 the steamer Bear, on its way northward, touch at certain points on the 

 Siberian coast, and that you assist Dr. Jackson in purchasing from 150 

 to 300 domesticated reindeer, and transfer them with their keepers on 

 the Bear to the island of St. Lawrence. 



You are accordingly directed, if it can be done without interfering 

 with your regular cruising under orders of this date, to proceed to the 

 coast of Siberia and assist in carrying out the wishes of the Depart- 

 ment of the Interior as expressed in the inclosed copies of corre- 

 spondence upon the subject. 



If considered necessary, you are authorized to leave an officer and 

 two men on shore to conduct negotiations for the reindeer, while the 

 vessel continues on her way north, calling for them upon your return. 

 Respectfully, yours, 



O. L. Spaulding, 

 Assistant Secretary. 

 Capt. M. A. Healy, 



Commanding Revenue Steamer Bear, Seattle, Wash. 



