FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 91 



Q. Now, wLo were the meu that origiDally comprised, that is, the 

 charter members of the company, who were original members ? I refer 



to the men who were up there in 1868 and who formed the company. 



A. H. M. Hutchinson, William Kohl, Lewis Sloss, Lewis Gerstle, Gus- 

 tave Niebaum, who was a Russian subject who came over under treaty. 

 He was in command of one of the Russian Fur Company's vessels, and 

 came over as an American citizen, and has always lived since in San 

 Francisco. 



The Chairman. He became an American citizen under the operation 

 of the treaty ? 



The Witness. Yes, sir, and he is one of the directors of the com- 

 pany now. Richard H. Chapel, H. P. Haven. 



Q. Is he the gentleman who ran for governor in Connecticut some 

 years ago?— A. Yes, sir. C. A. Williams, Samuel Willits, and several 

 more ; 1 can not recall the names. Mr. Parrot, of San Francisco; Cap- 

 tain Morgan, of Groton, Conn., and Mr. Morgan here. 



By Mr. Jeffries : 



Q. So far as you have named them, those gentlemen were interested 

 in the seal islands in 1868?— A. Yes, sir; all of those parties were in- 

 terested in the original expedition which went out in 1868, either the 

 one which I represented or the one which was represented by Hutchin- 

 son, Kohl & Co. 



Q. And they came down here and represented the facts of the case 

 to the Government? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q, Then the Alaska Commercial Company was formed ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Now, what other gentlemen were taken in when the company was 

 formed, in addition to those you have already named?— A. Without a 

 list of the stockholders I do not think I could answer. 



Q. John F. Miller, was he one ?— A. ies, sir. 



Q. Who was he ?— A. John F. Miller was at that time collector of the 

 port at San Francisco, and he was afterwards United States Senator. 

 He was a general in the war, and had an admirable record. 



Q. He is dead ? — A. Yes, sir. Mr. Chapel is dead, Hutchinson is 

 dead, Miller is dead, Parrot is dead, and Haven is dead. 



Q. What is the capital stock of the Alaska Commercial Company ?— 

 A. $2,000,000. 



Q. At present, and for the last few years, who are the parties who 

 have directed the mauagemeuc of the company and dictated its policy 

 and managed it generally ; all these gentlemen ? — A. Lewis Sloss, Lewis 

 Gerstle, Captain Niebaum, and myself. 



Q. Who is president of the company ? — A. Lewis Sloss. 



Q. What sort of a man is Lewis Sloss ? — A. He is an estimable gen- 

 tler; i an, highly esteemed and respected. 



Q How does he stiind in San Francisco ? — A. He stands very high 

 there. 



Q. Is he one of the trustees of the Coleman assignment? — A. Yes; 

 and he is a man who is associated with every important work and good 

 work there. He is an honorable merchanr. 



Mr. Jeffries. I would like at some point in the future, if the chair- 

 man will allow me, to ask the same question of a member of the com 

 nuttee present — Mr Felton. 



Mr. Felton. He is universally known as one of the best, cleverest, 

 and most representative men on the Pacific coast. He is a very fair, 

 square, and honorable man. 



