212 FUK-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



One moruing we got, I believe, 112 seal skins, knives, and hatchets, 

 and things of that kind, with which the seal hunters had come to hunt 

 and slaughter seals, especially the cows, leaving their pups to be de- 

 stroyed. Tliere were instances of that kind, and I wrote a very strong 

 letter to tbe De])artuient, stating that somebody should be held respon- 

 sible for this, and 1 thought the Department in Washington, whose duty 

 it svas to look after the Government interests, should have a revenue cut- 

 ter come there and cruise about, for heretofore the revenue cutter came 

 up there and passed up and beyond, and it was not sufficient protec- 

 tion of Government interests. I reported this to Mr. Tingle, the bead 

 officer. His reply stated that my report was of such importance that 

 he had sent it to Washington with his own. The next year I got a rev- 

 renue cutter, and they took some six or seven of what we call pirate ships 

 and seal hunters that come over from Victoria and San Francisco, both 

 English and American ships. The revenue cutter took them to Oona- 

 laska and the skins also, and took some men prisoners to Sitka, which 

 was all very satisfactory as far as that was concerned. But the Sec- 

 retary of State decided that our seizure of vessels and taking the skins 

 away was illegal, and that they hiid a right to fish within 3 miles of 

 shore. I was impressed with the idea that he thought they were cod- 

 fishing instead of sealing at the time. 



It was my place to write to the head officer. I wrote to the Secre- 

 tary of the Treasury, stating that if that was the position in the matter — 

 if that was to be the rule in the future — that the seal interest could 

 not last very long. I have my letter here, which will give you some 

 information on that question if you wish to read it. The newspapers 

 said that the letter was laid before the Cabinet, and that that was the 

 first information that they had upon this matter. That is, it was be- 

 fore the Cabinet, and it was decided then that it was legal, and Mr. Bay- 

 ard, I understood, issued an order that the ships should be taken, and 

 they took quite a number the next year. But from some cause, after 

 my letter was laid before the Cabinet on that question and they seemed 

 to gain some information from it l)y their action — I was asked for my 

 resignation. I was dismissed from the service. 



Q. Did you ascribe your removal to the fact of your writing that let- 

 ter?— A. No. 



Q. You can put your letter as being evidence bearing upon the ques- 

 tion of jurisdiction and law. 



(See letter appended in answer to another question.) 



Q. On that subject of the depredations of seals, do you think the 

 regulations of the Government sufficiently stringent and strict to pro- 

 tect the herd of seal? — A. I think it could be made so : yes. That is, 

 with a revenue cutter with the right kind of an officer who will do his 

 duty, i understand they have them, and whenever they want to do a 

 thing they can do it. 



Q. Do you think that one revenue cutter would protect the herd en- 

 tirely?— A. 1 think so. 



Q. And let it be known that every vessel engaged in this business 

 would be subject to capture? — A. Tliere should be one vessel for St. 

 Paul and St. George Islands, lying between St. Paul and Oonalaska. 

 Tbe hunters will soon get tired of him if he does his duty. 



Q. Was the contract with the company strictly and faithfully carried 

 out while you were there ? — A. Yes ; outside of some little minor things 

 that would not be of much importance in regard to the seals. Tbe 

 natives will go down on the rookeries sometimes and take a seal i)up, 

 and you would have to call their attention to it. Mr. Morgan and the 



