INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC EEINDEER INTO ALASKA. 1-41 



puroliases of deer at the rate of $25 per head could be made from pri- 

 vate parties it would not l)e necessary for the Bureau of Education to 

 charter a vessel in the future. 



I am willing, further, to agree for this summer not to arrange with 

 other private parties in Alaska for the purchase of reindeer for the 

 Government. 



Congress has made an" appropriation for fitting out the U. S. S. 

 Thetis for replacing the reindeer borrowed in the winter of 1898 from 

 Point Rodney and Cape Prince of Wales. If the Thetis finds an 

 opportunity of loading up with reindeer between Kamchatka and 

 Indian Point she will do so. The Thetis may also cruise from Walen 

 to Cape Serdze after reindeer, in case it does not find a supply from 

 Indian Point, as the Government feels vmder the necessity of procuring 

 this season suflicient deer to replace the herds above mentioned. It 

 is not intended to purchase deer between Indian Point and East Cape. 



With w4iat Messrs. Liebes & Co. can furnish and the Thdis procure, 

 it would seem as if a large number of reindeer should be procured. 

 Lieutenant Jarvis will be in command of the Thetis and Avill be accom- 

 panied by Dr. Sheldon Jackson, agent of this Bureau. 



This Bureau is very anxious that your Y)roject should prove a 

 success. 



Very respectfully, 



W. T. Harris, Commissioner. 



Mr. Conrad Siem, 



Ji.2'2 Fultwi street^ San Francisco., Cal. 



San Francisco, April 17., 1899. 

 Dear Sir: On the strength of Dr. Harris's letter to me of March 24, 

 which says (1) it is not intended — l)y the Thetis — to purchase deer 

 between Indian Point and East Cape; (2) this Bureau is ^'ery anxious 

 that your project should prov^e a success, I have arranged with J. S. 

 Kimball to fit the steamer Alhioji for the purchase of deer in Siberia. 

 We have the offer of considerable freight from prixate parties and 

 the vessel will leave here on May 20. 



We would like to have, of course, as soon as possible, assurance 

 whether the Department is willing to contract for all the deer Ave 

 purchase, and whether it still adheres to the intention as quoted 

 above. Interference by the Thetis with our buying woiUd naturally 

 raise the cost of deer for us, and our prices to the Government would 

 advance accordingly. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, etc. 



Conrad Siem, 

 Ca7'e of J. S. Kimhall., 2'2 Marhet street. 

 Dr. Sheldon Jackson, 



General Agent., etc., WasJiington., D. 0. 



