ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 369 



MAY 5, 1896. 



SIR: I have the honor to state that the Department is informed by 

 the Secretary of State that the British ambassador has requested per- 

 mission in behalf of the British Government to send two naturalists to 

 the Pribilof Islands to investigate the present condition of the fur-seal 

 herd during the coming season. It will, therefore, in the opinion of this 

 Department, be necessary to secure the services of some eminent zool- 

 ogist in this country to conduct a similar investigation on behalf of the 

 United States in cooperation with the officers of the United States Gov- 

 ernment who may be detailed for this purpose by the President. I 

 have the honor to suggest that an appropriation of $5,500 be made for 

 this purpose, and herewith inclose a form of appropriation for your 

 consideration. 



Very respectfully, yours, C. S. HAMLIN, 



Acting Secretary. 

 Hon. WILLIAM B. ALLISON, 



Chairman Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate. 



The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, out of any moneys not other- 

 wise appropriated, to expend not exceeding $5,500 for investigation of the condition 

 of the fur-seal herd in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea during the fiscal years 

 1896 and 1897. He is further authorized, in addition to said $5,500, to pay the neces- 

 sary expenses of any officials of the Government who may be detailed for said investi- 

 gation by the President. 



UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 



Washington, D. C., May 9, 1896. 



SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Fish Commission 

 steamer Albatross is now being fitted out at the Mare Island navy- 

 yard, California, for fishery investigations on the Alaskan Coast, and 

 that preparations are also being made in connection therewith to con- 

 form to the provisions contained in the act of Congress approved 

 March 3, 1893, as follows, namely : 



And the Commissioner of Fisheries is authorized and required to investigate, 

 nnder the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, and when so requested to 

 report annually to him regarding the conditions of seal life upon the rookeries of the 

 Pribilof Islands. 



My reason for bringing this matter to your attention is due to the 

 fact that the investigations called for are subject to your authorization, 

 and I beg to be informed if you desire to have the work taken up again 

 this season. In this event, I would respectfully request that the chief 

 Treasury agent at the Pribilof Islands be notified of the proposed 

 inquiries, and that he be directed to facilitate the work of the Fish 

 Commission party to such an extent as he may be able to. I would 

 also ask that the party be allowed the same accommodations at the 

 Government building as have been accorded it in the past, and that it 

 be permitted to participate in the mess furnished by the sealing com- 

 pany, the same as the Treasury agents. 

 Very respectfully, 



J. J. BRICE, Commissioner. 

 The SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, 



Washington, D. 0. 

 H. Doc. 92, pt. 2 24 



