238 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



tion to answer, but I think they would be pretty nearly destroyed in 

 three to five years. 



Q. You have stated that a revenue-cutter, policing Bering Sea, would 

 protect the seal interests. Would it be advisable to have a man-of-war 

 or relief ship down at Oonalaska with which to trausi)ort persons capt- 

 ured when marauding !— A. Yes, sir; it would be an excellent idea to 

 have a larger force than the usual crew of one cutter near at hand. 



Q. Have you some trouble in disposing of captured crews ? — A. Yes, 

 sir; it is rather more trouble to disoose of them after capture than to 

 fiud thein. 



By Mr. jMacdonald: 



Q. Eight in that connection srare what, in your opinion, is the best 

 method for the Government to carry out in regard to police regulations 

 and taking care of the prisoners "i — A. If there was a vessel located at 

 Oonalaska to take charge of the captured vessels and crews, so that 

 they could be sent to Sitka, it would facilitate matters a great deal. lu 

 the summer of 1887, when I made the seizures, I had not sufficient force. 

 My method was to place a man on board and send the vessel to Sitka. 

 Of course he was but one man, while the crew consisted of thirty or forty, 

 and they could have gone to Victoria or San Francisco, if they desired. 

 Oonalaska is about 1,250 miles from Sitka, the capital, where the court 

 is held. It is a long distance and there is no communication between 

 the two places. It depends wholly upon the disposition of the captain 

 to go and stand his trial in court. 



By Mr. Jeffries : 



Q. What is your opinion as to the number of vessels that will enter 

 Bering Sea next season for the purpose of killing seals? — A. My in- 

 formation, which I have obtained through the newspapers, is that from 

 fifty to sixty vessels are now fitting out for that purpose, 



Q. What is usually a fair catch for a vessel of the description of those 

 now being fitted out? — A. It varies very much, according to the size of 

 the crew, but from 1,000 to 2,500 seals. 



Q. Say 2,000, would that be a fair average?— A. I would say 1,800. 



Q. There are about fifty such vessels now beiug fitted out ? — A. Yes, 

 sir. 



Q. Y^ou spoke with reference to some complaint that the natives made 

 about some regulations. Was it against the Government's agent or the 

 company's agent? — A. The Treasury agent. 



Q. Do you happen to know whether it related to the making of quass, 

 an intoxicant that they produce ; was that perhaps the cause of the 

 complaint ?— A. I have understood that they complained that they were 

 not allowed to have any alcoholic liquor of any kind, but I do not know 

 what special objections they made. 



Q. Do you happen to know what effect intoxicating liquors have upon 

 that people? — A. It is certainly very demoralizing, as it is to all other 

 people. 1 understood the agents required the natives to ask permission 

 before going out in boats to fish. That they thought they should have 

 a right to go out in boats as much as they pleased without going first 

 to ask the agent's permission. That may be necessary or not ; I do not 

 know. 



Q. Would it be possible for the Alaska Commercial Company to take 

 its catch of seals if intoxicating liquors were given to the natives ? — 

 A. Isot with those that now do the work. 



Q. The Treasury Department has been in the habit of issuing a notice 

 prohibiting the killing of seal in Bering Sea. — A. Yes, sir. 



