Appendix A. 



Subsequent to tbe closing o^ the testiinouy in this investigation the 

 governor of Alaska submitted to (Congress a special report in reference 

 to the operations of the Alaska Coiumercial Company under its contract 

 with the United States. 



In that report the governor asserts that he visited the Pribylov Isl- 

 ands and personally investigated the operations of the company and the 

 condition of the native inhabitants. 



As a result of his observation and examination he is convinced that 

 the company has not only strictly complied with its contract, but has 

 largely contributed to the welfare, comfort, and education of the islands, 

 ia addition to the requirements of the lease ; and, while adhering to his 

 former criticism of the operations of the company in other parts of 

 Alaska, he strongly approves and commends the conduct of the com- 

 pany and its agents in the performance of the stipulations of the lease 

 and the treatment of the natives. He also states that in his intercourse 

 with the native inhabitants he "heard no complaints concerning their 

 treatment either by the agent or any one else connected with the com- 

 pany." 



Inasmuch as the law makes it the duty of the governor of Alaska 

 " from time to time to inquire into the operations of the Alaska Seal 

 and Fur Company, and annually report to Congress the result of such 

 inquiries and any and all violations by said company of the agreement 

 existing between the United States and said company," the committee 

 deem it proper to include in its report all that portion of Governor 

 Swiueford's report which has reference to that subject. 



REPORT OF GOVERXOR SWINEFORD AS TO THE SEAL ISLANDS. 



Section 5 of the act providing a civil government for Alaska provides that the gov- 

 ernor "shall, from time to time, inquire into the operations of the Alaska Seal and 

 Fur Company, and shall annually report to Congress the result of such inquiries, and 

 any and all violations by said company of the agreement existing between the United 

 States and said company." In view of this provision, I have considered it my duty 

 to inquire into the operations of that company, as was undoubtedly the intention of 

 Congress generally, instead of confining my inquiries merely to the question of whether 

 or not it had violated its agreement with the Government. The result of my inquiries 

 into the operations of the company, aside from its sealing business, together with my 

 views as to how they affect the best interests of the Territory and the welfare of its 

 people, "I have embodied as plainly and succinctly as possible in the foregoing pages. 

 In doing so I have been governed by no other motive or desire than the good of the 

 Territory, whose interests and welfare I have esteemed it a paramount duty to guard 

 and promote to the best of my understanding and limited ability. 



So far from having been actuated by any personal feeling, I wish to say that if the 

 system of leasing the seal islands, without restriction as to trade in other parts of 

 the Territory, isto be continued, very little in the way of reform is likely to be accom- 

 plished by dispossessing the present lessees in favor of some other individual or cor- 

 poration. It is the system, or principle, that mostmerits condemnation. Any other 

 corporation granted the same exclusive privileges would naturally strive to make the 



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