DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 165 



When I consider the advantage ii will lead to, in case a sufficient number of rein- 

 deer for transportation purposes arc obtained, and pulkahs (sleighs), to be drawn 

 by a single reindeer, with the necessary outfits and implements, such as we use in 

 Norway, and with which we drive through deep snow, carrying along a load of 200 

 pounds, besides mail and passengers, driving hundreds and hundreds of miles 

 (the reindeer are changed every hundred miles), traveling over uncultivated tracts 

 of land, where no roads can be maintained, then it will be understood what Alaska 

 can be some day, with its rich fisheries and future large reindeer herds, and that 

 these rich lands will soon be peopled. 



Now, I will close, or my imagination may carry me too far, yet it is a fact that I 

 have been an eye-witness of the great progress in Norway, Finland, and Russia. 



The greatest and most difficult step you have conquered, sir. but there yon can 

 not stop without everything being lost. Indeed, you-have accomplished a great and 

 good work, but much is left to be done before you can harvest. 



In my last letter I did not mention my sou who lives here in Seattle. He is 32 

 years old, is courageous and manly, and graduated from the most superior schools. 

 He speaks and writes well the English, Russian, Laplaudish, Finnish, and German 

 languages, besides the Scandinavian. For seven years he has lived here, performing 

 the functions of a land agent, but three years ago he had the misfortune to lose his 

 foot just below the knee, and he walks on a cork foot, which, however, does, not 

 interfere with his work. My son has lived in Alaska oue year, and he is much inter- 

 ested in this affair. If I should be chosen for the position, I would take him along, 

 and perhaps later he might step into my place, as he is well versed iu all concerning 

 reindeer. There are more persons in this neighborhood who are anxious to go along. 



I lived circa forty years in the most northern part of Finmark, which, about 

 sixty years ago was a place of exile for Norwegian criminals, like Siberia for Russia. 

 At present it is a most important country in Norway, with its rich reindeer herds, 

 fisheries, and extensive exports by sea. 



With the kindest regards for you, sir, aud your heroic work, I am, 

 Very respectfully, yours, 



H. Dahl. 

 Dr. Sheldox Jackson, 



Washington, D. C. 



Seattle, Wash.. January 27, 1SD4. 

 Dear Sir: Through my father, Dr. H. Dahl. of this city. I have had opportunity 

 to read your report to the Senate on introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska, 

 and it is with great interest I have read your report ; so much more so as I have had 

 ample opportunities, both in Finmark among the Lapps, and also during a two 

 years' stay iu Northern Russia, where I was frequently brought in contact with the 

 Saino'ides, to study the animal and its ways, and also the people herding them. In 

 fact, I was for several years employed in trading with the Lapps, buying live stock 

 as well as hides, etc., and giviug them different supplies for it. I was sent to Rus- 

 sia when 18 years old to study the language, and as I had then already studied sev- 

 eral languages my father thought it best to send me as far as possible away from 

 cities and civilization, so that I should have no opportunity to speak with anybody 

 but Russians and thereby learn the language quicker and to perfection. So after 

 nine months' stay in the district of Mecen (city of same name), adjoining the district 

 of Petchora, I left and traveled south to Petersburg, visiting England and Germany 

 before I went to my home in Finmark, Norway. I stayed at home ten months and 

 again took up quarters in the same district of Mecen, this time, more than anything 

 to look into a business enterprise in sealing. During these two years" stay in Rus- 

 sia I had every opportunity possible to study the Samoi'des and their reiudeer. 



