CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I 



DISCOVERY, OCCUPATION, AND TRANSFER pp. 1-12 



The Legend of Bering's Voyage. The Discovery of Russian America, or Alaska, 

 in July, 1741. The Return Voyage and Shipwreck of the Discoverer. 

 The Escape of the Survivors. They Tell of the Furs and Ivory of Alaska. 

 The Rush of Russian Traders. Their Hardy Exploration of the Aleutian 

 Chain, Kadiak, and the Mainland, 1760-80, inclusive. Fierce Competi- 

 tion of the Promyshlineks finally Leads to the Organization and Domina- 

 tion of the Russian American Company over all Alaska, 1799. Its Remark- 

 able Success under Baraiiov's Administration, 1800-18, inclusive. Its 

 Rapid Decadence after Baranov's Removal. Causes in 1862-64 which 

 Led to the Refusal of the Russian Government to Renew the Charter of 

 the Russian American Company. Steps which Led to the Negotiations 

 of Seward and Final Acquisition of Alaska by the U. S. Government, 

 1867. 



CHAPTEK H. 



FEATURES OP THE SITKAN REGION pp. 13-35 



The Vast Area of Alaska. Difficulty of Comparison, and Access to her Shores 

 save in the Small Area of the Sitkan Region. Many Americans as Officers 

 of the Government, Merchants, Traders, Miners, etc., who have Visited 

 Alaska during the last Eighteen Years. Full Understanding of Alaskan 

 Life and Resources now on Record. Beautiful and Extraordinary Features 

 of the Sitkan Archipelago. The Decaying Town of Wrangel. The 

 Wonderful Glaciers of this Region. The Tides. Currents, and Winds. 

 The Forests and Vegetation Omnipresent in this Land-locked Archipelago. 

 Indigenous Berries. Gloomy Grandeur of the Canons. The Sitkan 

 Climate. Neither Cold nor Warm Excessive Humidity. Stickeen Gold 

 Excitement of 1862 and 1875. The Decay of Cassiar. The Picturesque 

 Bay of Sitka. The Romance and Terror of Baranov's Establishment there 

 in 1800-1805. The Russian Life and Industries at Sitka. The Contrast 

 between Russian Sitka and American Sitka a Striking One. 



