142 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



San Francisco, April i7, 1899. 



Dkar Sir: On the strength of 3 our letter tome of March 2-4, 1 have 

 about completed jirrangements with J. S. Kimball to lit the .steamer 

 Album for the purchase of reindeer in Siberia. 



You nmst be aware that the purchasing of reindeer from the Chowchu 

 population is a business requiring for success a knowledge of the char- 

 acter of the people. A stranger among them will !)ecome the dupe of 

 the nefarious element, who will waste his time with idle prouiises, and 

 intimidate the better class and cause them to hold aloof. With the 

 experience gained during last winter, I feel assured that I shall be 

 able to purchase a comparatively large number of deer between Indian 

 Point and East Cape, and lay my lines for a continuous supply in 

 years to come. If the Government is desirous to forward the intro- 

 duction of domesticated reindeer into Alaska, I feel assured that it 

 will be to their advantage to encourage me as much as possible in this 

 undertaking till the business has reached a footing when reindeer will 

 have become a regular article of commerce between Siberia and Alaska. 

 It is of some importance to my success that I take up connections 

 again this summer with the Siberian deer traders. 



The Alhion will sail from here on May 20. We will cany up con- 

 siderable live stock to supply miners, etc., with fresh meat. There is 

 a good demand for it in the prosperous diggings at Golovin Bay. 



We would like to have, as soon as possible, a definite answer whether 

 the Department intends to purchase all the deer we shall be able to 

 procure this year at the prices Avritten to Dr. Jackson on April 3. 

 T haA'e the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, etc., 



Conrad Siem, 

 Cai'i' of J. S. Khnhall^ 2^ Marl'et i<t7'eet., San J^ranet'^co, Cal. 



Dr. W. T. Harris, 



CorininKsioru'r of EduvatUin, Wa-sJiliigtoii^ 1). 61 



San Francisco, 2[ai/ 6', 1S99. 

 Sirs: In accordance with our verbal agreement, I hereby, in behalf 

 of the United States, agree to pay your company at the rate of $2.5 per 

 head for all the female reindeer that you will deliver in good condi- 

 tion on shore during the summer and fall of 1899 at Cape Prince of 

 Wales, Port Clarence, or vicinity of Point Rodney, on the northern 

 shores of Bering Sea. Please send me your written acceptance of the 

 same. 



Very respectfully, yours, 



Sheldon Jackson, 



I'll if I'd States General Agent of .Education in Alaska. 



Messrs. J. S. Kimball Company, 



jVo. 32 Mar-h^ stn-et^ Scm Francisco, Cal. 



Mr. AVilliaiii A. Kjelhnari oi- W. P. Lopp will count and give you 

 a receipt for reindeer delivered. 



