co^te:^ts 



CHAPTER I. 



Discovery, Occupation, and Transfer pp. 1-13 



The Legend of Bering's Voyage. — The Discovery of Russian America, or Alaska, 

 in July, 1741. — The Return Voyage and Shipwreck of the Discoverer. — 

 The Escape of the Survivors. — They Tell of the Furs and Ivory of Alaska. 

 — The Rush of Russian Traders. — Their Hardy Exploration of the Aleutian 

 Chain, Kadiak, and the Mainland, 1760-80, inclusive. — Fierce Competi- 

 tion of the Promyshlineks finally Leads to the Organization and Domina- 

 tion of the Russian American Company over all Alaska, 1799. — Its Remark- 

 able Success under Baranov's Administration, 1800-18, inclusive. — Its 

 Rapid Decadence after Baranov's Removal. — Causes in 1862-64 which 

 Led to the Refusal of the Russian Government to Renew the Charter of 

 the Russian American Company. — Steps which Led to the Negotiations 

 of Seward and Final Acquisition of Alaska by the U. S. Government, 

 1867. 



CHAPTER II. 



Features of the Sitk.\n Region pp. 13-35 



The Vast Area of Alaska. — Difficulty of Comparison, and Access to her Shores 

 save in the Small Area of the Sitkan Region. — Many Americans as Officers 

 of the Government, Merchants, Traders, Miners, etc. , who have Visited 

 Alaska during the last Eighteen Years. — Full Understanding of Alaskan 

 Life and Resources now on Record. — Beautiful and Extraordinary Features 

 of the Sitkan Archipelago. — The Decaying Town of Wrangel. — The 

 Wonderful Glaciers of this Region. — The Tides, Currents, and Winds. — 

 The Forests and Vegetation Omnipresent in this Land-locked Archipelago. 

 — Indigenous Berries.- — Gloomy Grandeur of the Canons. — The Sitkan 

 Climate. — Neither Cold nor Warm. — Excessive Humidity. — Stickeen Gold 

 Excitement of 1862 and 1875. — The Decay of Cassiar. — The Picturesque 

 Bay of Sitka. — The Romance and Terror of Baranov's Establishment there 

 in 1800-1805.— The Russian Life and Industries at Sitka.— The Contrast 

 between Russian Sitka and American Sitka a Striking One. 



