INTEODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDf:ER INTO ALASKA. 125 



Sea at the usual time. While thus following the coast, an opportunity 

 could be given to the general agent of education for Alaska to confer 

 with the Russian merchants with regard to the purchase of reindeer 

 for the Government in large quantities. It is a well-known fact that 

 in certain sections of Siberia reindeer are broken to the saddle as well 

 as to harness. This would seem to indicate that the}^ are a larger 

 breed than those now in Alaska. Such a coasting cruise would furnish 

 the Government with definite information on this subject. If the 

 Siberians have a larger and stronger breed of reindeer, it is important 

 that a number of bucks should be secured and, for the improvement 

 of the stock, be crossed with the herds that have been successfully 

 introduced into Alaska. 



For nine seasons past, with the single exception of the summer of 

 1898, through the permission of the Secretary of the Treasury and 

 the courtesy of the Chief of the Revenue-Cutter Service and of the 

 captains commanding cutters cruising in Alaskan waters, the general 

 agent of education for Alaska has been able to establish new and 

 inspect old schools, and to introduce domestic reindeer into Alaska. 

 There being no regular line of steamers to northern Siberia and to • 

 Arctic Alaska, this Bureau has depended for the continuance of its 

 important work in those far-distant regions upon the cooperation of 

 the Treasury Department and the facilities afforded by its revenue 

 cutters. 



I therefore have the honor to respectfully suggest that a letter be 

 written to the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury reqiu^sting, if 

 compatible with the rules of his office. 



First, permission for Dr. Sheldon Jackson, general agent of edu- 

 cation for Alaska, to be received upon the cutters that in their regular 

 cruise call at the places he may need to visit, especially upon the cutter 

 Bear in her cruise to Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean ; also that he 

 will kindly request the commanding officers to extend to Dr. rlackson 

 such facilities as may be convenient. 



Second, that the commanding officer of the cutter Bear bo instructed 

 to convey Dr. Jackson to the Siberian coast and to call at Vladivostock, 

 Petropaulovsk, and such other points along the Siberian coast as 

 may be convenient while en route to the vessel's cruising ground in 

 Bering sea. 



Third, that the commanding ofiicer of the Bear be further authorized 

 to transport to the Alaskan coast such reindeer as it may be possible 

 to secure for fulfilling the pledge of the Government to return 491 

 deer to Cape Prince of Wales and Cape Rodney. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfuU}^, your obedient servant, 



W. T. Harris, 



C(mi7inissi(mer. 

 The Secretary of the Interior. 



