DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 129 



proposed plan, thus precluding the possibility of interested testimony. 

 Lately we have told them about the plan, .and they seem very much 

 pleased with the idea. They say they will do everything they can to 

 promote the success of the undertaking. 



Reindeer will be exceedingly useful here, not only as a food supply, 

 but also as beasts of burden. Now wood is hauled on dog sleds 6 or 7 

 miles, and hinders and traders use the same means of locomotion. 

 Reindeer would be stronger and swifter, and the animal food now 

 necessary to support the dogs could be utilized by the people. 



As American whalers have killed off the whales and walrus, the 

 natural support of this people, for the benetit of Americans at large, it 

 would seem that the American Government owes them some compen- 

 sation. The proposed step is merely one of decency and justice then, 

 not an act of mere charity. 



The surest way of attaching them to our Government, and so of 

 making them good and useful citizens, is to show them that the Ameri- 

 can people are not merely powerful, but just and merciful as well. 



If something of the kind you suggest is not done, and that speedily, 

 there are only two alternatives, we think — either to let the people 

 starve, at the risk of sacrificing the lives of innocent white men, as we 

 have indicated, and to the lasting shame and disgrace of our country, 

 or to make them pensioners upon the bounty of the Government, to 

 the utter destruction of their self respect and manliness, and to the 

 sorrow of all who have their true interests at heart. 



The latter course would not only be a cruelly mistaken policy (as 

 shown by the history of the Indian tribes in the States), but would 

 involve the expenditure of millions of dollars, where thousands would 

 accomplish the purpose better if spent in time. 

 Very respectfully, yours, 



R. M. Thornton. 

 W. T. Lopp. 



Rev. Sheldon Jackson, D. D., 



Washington, I). G. 



DR. SHELDON JACKSON COMMENDED TO THE RUSSIAN OFFICIALS IN 



SIBERIA. 



[Translation.] 



Russian Legation, 

 Washington, D. C, April 20, 1892. 

 The bearer of this, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, is commissioned by the U. 

 S. Government to our northern coast of the Pacific Ocean and to 

 Kamchatka for the purchase of reindeer and for the transportation 

 of these animals to the northern part of the American domain. Of 

 S. Ex. 70 9 



