PUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 203 



With all due deference to Mr. Elliott's opinion that 2 square feet of ground for each 

 seal on the breeding rookeries is approximately correct, I am inclined to the opinion 

 that this is too liberal an estimate for all of the rookeries. In some cases I have 

 allowed 2 square feet, in others 3, i, 5, and 8 square feet, according to the topography 

 of the ground, its adaptability for breeding purposes, and the condition of the rook- 

 ery at the time of its greatest expansion, i. e., about the middle of July. It would 

 be utterly impossibie for any series of measurements to give the accurate number of 

 seals that haul up on the breeding rookeries or hauling grounds. The least that can 

 be done under the circumstances is to form some basis for measurement during the 

 middle of July, mark the limits of the breeding grounds, and measure them care- 

 fully with a tapeliue, as was done in this case, before the seals return. This will 

 give their approximate number, and, if carefully done, will not be far out of the 

 way ; still these figures are not exact and should be proveu by the measurements of 

 1875. — Wm. .1. McIntyre. 



With that work of Assistant Agent McIntyre, all efiort in this line 

 by him or his successors seems to have ceased, aud not until 1886 was 

 the subject taken up again : 



CONCERNING THE OFFICIAL REPORTS OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES 

 TREASURY AGENTS, 1886-1888. 



In my letter of introduction to this report I allude to the extraordi- 

 nary fact that the official reports of the Treasury agents in charge of 

 tbe public interests on the Piibilov Islauds, for the years 1886, 1887, 

 and 1888, declare a great increase of fur-seal life on these islands then, 

 over my large figures of 1872-1874; that they make this declaration to 

 the Secretary of the Treasury in spite of or ignorance of the truth, 

 ichiGh was just the reverse! The trouble with these responsible agents 

 of the Government on the islands at that time was that they were 

 mainly engrossed with contemptible personalities between themselves, 

 which caused them to forget and neglect the chief object of their official 

 duty. 



The following extracts from the official and regular daily journal of 

 the United States Treasury agent on St. George Island are enough, 

 and will give a very clear understanding of what they were busy about 

 at that time, when the seals were vanishing rapidly from the hauling 

 grounds and fading out on the rookeries. 



[Extract copied by the author from Treasury agent's journal, St. George Island, Alaska (ofHcial 



record), p. 166.] 



July 30, lSS8.—^tT St Paul arrived from St. Paul Island at 4.30 a. m. She took on 

 board 9,948 skins. The Rush soon came and Mr. Tingle came ashore. We had a 

 long talk and I gave him a history of aftairs on this Island. At the finish of the 

 history he said that he had no fault to find with me and thought that the Co's men 

 had given me a hard time. (Gavitt.) 



Jidy 31, 1S88. — Mr. Tingle remained ashore. This morning he was receiving from 

 me a verbal statement of how the Co's men try to blacken the character of everyone 

 with whom they conflict, when one who was present {Capt. Loud,) and should know 

 better became abusive and wanted to fight becaiise my statements "reflected on 

 some of his friends." Mr. Tinyle said he believed my statement and intended reporting 

 the matter to the A. C. Co. of San Francisco. The lie was passed between several and 

 the meeting was lively. Its time that a Gov't officer can come here without being 

 called a thief, drunkard etc. This made some dirty talk to Mr. Tingle about me 

 and I proved to Mr. Tingle how they talk about every one, and after I told him he 

 was perfectly satisfied. (Gavitt.) 



Au(/. 1st, 1S8S.— * * * The Rush and St. Paul still at anchor. Mr. Tingle, 

 Clark Mead and several natives went on board. * * * (Gavitt.) 



Aug. 2d, 1888. — * * * Xhe Rush and St. Paul at anchor all day. No one came 

 ashore. A boat containing Loud Jack Hall, the cook Alex. Lugebil and some natives 

 (the Oostigoff tribe) went out at 2 p. m. and remained until 3.30 p. m. As they 

 went on board, I suppose some of them had a lot of filth to dump but as Mr. Tingle 

 said on 31st that he was sick of the way things are here, I hardly think Mr. Tingle 

 held any investigation, because he would have come ashore or sent for me. * * * 

 (Gavitt.) 



