200 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



In addition to the above list of names of regularly specified seal 

 island agents of the Treasury Department, S. K. Buynitsky, a clerk in 

 the customs division, Utiice of the Secretary of the Treasury, was 

 detailed as a temporary agent and served through the season's work of 

 1870 on St. George, three mouths; then he passed another period of 

 nine months on St. Paul, from July 31, 1871, to April 26, LS72, in charge. 

 But he was not regularly enrolled or appointed as a Treasury agent for 

 the seal islands. 



In 1871, under order of special act of Congress, Henry W. Elliott 

 and Lieut. Washburn Maynard, U. S. N., made an elaborate and detailed 

 survey of the seal life, as embodied on these islands. 



SEAL PIRATES AND THEIR WORK ON THE ISLANDS. 



The following citations from the daily journal of the Treasury agent's 

 office on St. George Island in reference to the visits of marauders or 

 pirates are given to show the general impression made at the time, 

 means of prevention, etc. 



Septemher 10, 1884. — Sclioouer reported at Zapaclnie. 



September 11, 1884. — About 12.45 a. in. we noticed boats coming toward the ebore. 

 * * * As a warning to let them know, and not to land, we fired a half dozen 

 shots. The marauding boats immediately turned about and disappeared in the fog 

 and darkness (p, 376). 



July i2, 1885. — * * * About 5 o'clock the watchman came over from Zapadnie 

 with tlie news that a schooner was in sight, and its crew were catching seals in the 

 water by shooting. ^ * * 



J nJ 11 3, 1885. — The men we sent to Zapadnie yesterday evening * * ^^ returned 

 early this morning, reporting they could see no pirates or signs of any (p. 413). 



Jnlji -20, 1885. — * * * The men with the boat brought the information that 

 they had seen marauders near Starry Arteel rookery. * * * We failed to catch 

 the rascals, but found their marks in the shape of many seal skeletons, some fresh, 

 showing that they had been killed but the night before. 



June 22, 1885. — (At same place.) * * * Qn the arrival of Mr. Morgan and 

 myself on the ground we found the marauders gone, but their work left on the beach, 

 120 seal skins and evidence enough to satisfy the Government agent that between 

 600 and 700 seals had been killed, nearly all females. * * * We found hundreds 

 of skinned seals hid under rocks and in caves (p. 419), 



September 7, 1885. — * * * 'pj^e marauders who are in the habit of hanging 

 around this island at this season of the year are keeping themselves at a distance 

 this year, for which we are very much obliged (p. 427). 



June ID, 1886. — At 3 a. m. this morning tlie chief reported that the two watchmen 

 at Starry Arteel discovered within 400 feet of shore a ship's boat, and they fired four 

 shots in all and the boats left. This occurred about 1 a. ra. * * * Arkeuty 

 reported no vessels at Zapadnie last night, but fog was heavy audit was dark (p. 469). 



August 6, 1886. — Dense fog. Went to Starry Arteel rookery, taking chief with me 

 to see the dead seals reported found there yesterday. They had been killed by club- 

 bing and had evidently been dead a week. 



Aufiust 9, 1886 — ^ V * Schooner sighted about 8 a. m. some 6 miles to the north, 

 heading west. Soon after natives reported seeing a boat just olf bluff at West 

 Point. * * * Two boats close in shore at West Point. Fired upon them, when 

 they at once pulled out into the fog in directi®n of the schooner. 



September 24, 1886. — At about 1 p. m. the revenue steamer Hear came to anchor in 

 front of the village. ^ * * Cajitain Healy reports that in his opinion all maraud- 

 ing vessels (six) have left these waters (p. 487). 



November 17, 1888. — * * * At 12 m. saw a schooner from the A-illage at the 

 west end of the island heading to the northwest. Sent second chief and three men 

 to Zapadnie, etc. 



Novemher 18, 1888. — * * * Nothing seen of the schooner to-day. Second chief 

 returned to village and reports that some jiersous had landed, as there was fresh 

 tracks, and the windows of the native house were all broken. No signs could be 

 discovered of much damage being done to the rookery, as the few seals left there 

 at this time are .all quiet (p. 196). 



September 30, 1889.— * * * Messenger from Zapadnie reported that men had 

 landed and killed seals on the rookery last night. 



October 1, 1889.— * * * At 10 o'clock p. m. three boats hove in sight and came 

 up to within a few yards of where we were concealed. Here they separated, on^ 



