EELATING TO PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 69 



I am informed that of late years tliousandvS of young pups have died 

 on the islands while the season was in progress. Cer- 

 tainly such condition did not exist during my residence ^^' ^'"^^''' 

 on tiie Pribilof group. The "pups" were sometimes trampled upon 

 by the larger animals, and dead ones might be seen here and there on 

 the rookeries but the loss in this particular was never large enough 

 or im]3ortant enough to excite any special comment. 



I have already stated that my personal observation and investiga- 

 tion of the conditions at the islands from 1870 to 1878, inclusive, 

 showed that during those years a steady expansion of 

 the breeding rookeries took place. I am also informed ertesfrom'motoTsS! 

 and believe that such expansion continued up to the 

 year 1882 or 1883. During this period of general increase it is notable 

 that the destruction of animals from pelagic sealing was comparatively 

 unimportant. But a few vessels up to this time had 

 made predatory excursions in Bering Sea, and the se'^Hng."*"""*^''^''"'" 

 number of seals obtained by them is known to have 

 been small. Since 1883, however, there is said to have occurred a very 

 material diminution of the seal life on the Pribilof .^ 

 Islands, due, as it is claimed, to a large and indiscrimi- 

 nate slaughter of these aninmls in tlie \vaters of Bering Sea and the 

 Pacific Ocean. The cause assigned for this loss is un- 

 doubtedly the true one. If no other proof were forth- ^^^^ sealing ti.e 

 coming in relation to it the large display of dead pups 

 on the rookeries would in itself furnish all the evidence required. Such 

 diminution could not, in my opinion, be the result of the ordinary 

 yearly slaughter for skins. It is shown that an appreciable expansion 

 of the rookeries took place after twelve or fourteen years of such 

 slaughter, and 1 think tliis fact conclusively demonstrates that the 

 number of seals which the law permitted to be killed each year was 

 not greater than the known conditions of the seal's life would safely 

 warrant. 



The business of pelagic sealing, if permitted to be carried on in the 

 northern waters, must soon result in the extermination probibitiou 

 of the seal life and the destruction of a great and val- sary. 

 uable industry. It must produce untold poverty and 

 distress among the native j)eople of the seal islands, Effect of unre- 

 and in various adverse ways afl'ect the material inter- ^n™*'''^ ^^^""''^ '"'''^' 

 ests of other Alaska settlements and communities. 



I believe the American Goverriuient to be justified in assuming and 

 maintaining the absolute proprietorship of the Ameri- 



1 rill T ii 1 ■ ii 1 1 ^'^1 Auiencan owner- 



can seals. They may, I think, m the broad sense of the ship of seals. 

 word, be regarded as domestic animals. They certainly 

 possess qualities of a domestic nature which are susceptible of a high 

 degree of development. During the first two or three 

 months of their lives they are as gentle and docile as ,^^7"'*'" "''*""' °^ 

 most domestic animals. They may be handled and 

 petted, will accept food at one's hands, can be taught to follow one from 

 place to place, and in various ways are amenable to intelligent guidance 

 and training. Even at mature age they are subject to as much con- 

 trol as are sheep or cattle. They may be driven here and there at will; 

 may be separated and driven together again; divided into groups or 

 " pods," great or small, or be herded by thousands with less cflbrt and 

 trouble than bands of cattle are herded on the x'li^iiis- They are far 

 from possessing that excessive timidity which has been popularly at- 

 tributed to them. They soon grow accustomed to the sight of man, 



