FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 219 



the people of St. George were uioie iutelligeut aud more civilized tbau 

 those of Ooiialaska. 



Q. Did they seem to be in a more comfortable position? — A. Yes, 

 sir. 1 fouud this, however, of the people at Ooualaska; there more of 

 them spoke Euiiiish than on the island, on account of tbeir coming in 

 contact with English-speaking people at Ooualaska aud being compelled 

 to talk English. 



Q. From your observation there, do you conclude that the herd of 

 seals are worth taking care of as the Government is nowdoiug; worthy 

 of preservation jvud keeping ?— A. I certainly do; I think it is one of 

 the most intei-esting spots in the world, Niagara Falls not excepted. 



Q. Can that herd of seals be i)reserved in a better manner than the 

 policy now pursued there?— A. It can be improved by putting a rev- 

 ennecutter there. There was nonethere this season,! understand. If you 

 keep a revenue cutter to go there for that busijie.ss, I think the interest 

 'Can be protected. 



Q. Strictly, so as to prohibit depredations? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Is it your opinion that the revenue, by keeping up a strict pro- 

 tection over the the seals and rookeries, may be increased under that 

 policy? — A. Yes, sir; I think so; I think this i)resent company will 

 ibiil more for it next time. 



Q. The whole pay amounts to about $3.l7i per skin ?— A. It pays the 

 •Government over $300,000 net, I think, and" I think the company will 

 il3e willing to pay more next time. 



Q. Do you tiiink the Government would be justified in expecting 

 some more revenue next lease ? — A. That will depend upou the bidders 

 that will be in the field. 



Q. And also on the jjrice of skins and the number ? — A. Yes ; I think 

 there will be juore skins taken next lease than are now taken ; that is, 

 if the oflicers that have been at St. Paul have not greatly exaggerated 

 the number going there. There are 150,000 to 100,000 seal going to 

 St. George, which at 10 per cent, would give a number of 15,000 to be 

 taken. They claim that the seals going to St. Paul will rise far over a 

 million. Now, if they are right and they pay the same percentage as on 

 St. George it will take a great many more skins. In regard to the tak- 

 ing of skins by weight there, you will understand that a 7-pound skin 

 is worth $2.02^, while a 10-pound skin is the same ; but a 14 pound skin 

 is not only worth twice as much, but three times as much, as I under- 

 stand it. • 



Q. You think it is better to regulate the price by weight? — A. Yes; 

 by the pound. 1 do not know whether it would be advisable, without 

 injury to the seal interest, to take over a hundred thousand. 1 have 

 not been to St. Paul and I have only formed an idea from what was told 

 me. 



By Mr. Macdonald : 



Q. Have you beeu there long enough to feel justified in giving your 

 •opinion as to the effect of the present course pursued as to these seal 

 fisheries, whether they will be maintained in the present condition or 

 will it result in exterminating them i — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Please state what your oi)inion is as to the practice that has been 

 pursued. — A. It has been in the main good. I do think that it can be 

 improved upon, and I would suggest that a revenue-cutter be kept there 

 constantly in the sealing season. 



Q. Well, continuing as it has been in the past year or so, will the 

 supply of seal be kept uj) ? — A. I think so. 



