TAKEN AT VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA. 319 



we sealed as far south as Sau Diego, Cal., tlien went along tlie 



coast to Faralloue Islands, opposite San Francisco. We had five boats, 



three men to each boat, and one stern boat, all white men ; we used 



shotguns and rifles ; the seals were very plentiful that 



year; most all the seals that we shot and secured were "earms used. 



females and had young pups in them, and we would sometimes skin 



them. If we didn't get to a seal soon after it was shot it would sink, 



and we lost a great many; iDiobably got about one out 



of five of all the seals shot. We sealed as far as Queen p J,?^anufemaC^*^^ 



Charlotte Islands and got about 195 seals in the two " ^™^ '^^' 



months' sealing. We did not enter Bering Sea that year. 



In 1890 I went sealing again in the schooner Sea Lion^ Madison, mas- 

 ter; had five boats and three men to each boat; I was 

 boat puller; we were seahng about three months and 'S^« -^^«^- is^o- 

 got about 400 seals, most all females. This year the seals were wilder 

 than the year before; I think it was because they were being hunted so 

 much. We did not capture as many in proportion to the number shot, 

 as we did the year i^revious, and did not save more 

 than one out of six that we shot. We did not enter Ber- feSes °^^'^*''°'''^*'^ 

 ing Sea, and returned to Victoria in April. Our catch 

 was fully 80 per cent females. I do not think that seals give birth to 

 their young on the kelp. 



In 1891, in the month of February, I sailed from Victoria, British Co- 

 lumbia, on the schooner Thistle, Nicherson, master, on 

 a sealing voyage. We had seventeen boats and three ^'«"«i89i. 

 men to each boat; all white men. I signed as boat puller. Commenced 

 sealing off Cape Flattery and all the seals which we caught were preg- 

 nant females. I did not see as many seals as the years previous; I left 

 the vessel in April at Victoria, British Columbia. The seals uj^on this 

 voyage were more shy than in 1889 and more difficult to 

 capture. During the trip of 1891 I don't think we Wasteofiife;mostiy 

 got more than one seal out of six that we killed; many p^^^"^"* ^^-^^i^^- 

 were wounded and others were shot dead and sank before the boat 

 could get to them. The seals are decreasing in num- 

 ber rapidly, and in order to prevent the extermination Decrease. 

 of seals the hunting of them should be prohibited until after the mother 

 seals give birth to their young. Sealers should be no- 

 tified of a closed season before they go to the expense ciose season necea- 

 of fitting out. "^"^y- 



Thomas Brown. 



Subscribed and sworn to before me on this 22d day of April, A. D. 

 1892. 

 [seal.] Levi W. Myers, 



United States Consul. 



Deposition of Christ Clausen, sealer [master). 



pelagic sealing. 



Dominion of Canada, 



Victoria, British Columbia, ss: 



Christ Clausen, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I reside 

 at Victoria, British Columbia; occupation, master mariner, and 



