262 FUR-SEAL P^ISIIERIES OF ALASKA. 



Q. That was a gratuity; why did they do it"? — A. To improve the 

 natives. 



Q. It is to the interest of the company to have them well cared for 

 and comfortable, and to keep them from intoxicants as much as possi- 

 sible?-r-A. Yes, sir. 



Q. At Ooualaska there are a good many vessels of different nationali- 

 ties which come there? — A. Yes, sir; quite a number come there from 

 March until November. 



Q. What do they come for? — A. They simply touch there, as there is 

 no trade ; but they always come in, and some of them stay as long as a 

 month. 



Q. Do not trading schooners ! — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Trading in the sea-otter and fox. Do they introduce spirituous 

 liquors? — A. I think not, sir; I do not think they ever attempted it 

 there, but it is done on Unga Islands. 



Q. Have the company built any houses on any of the other of the 

 Aleuiian Islands ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Where? — A. At Belkovski, at Unga, at Wozensinski, Mozuvia, 

 and at other places. 



Q. At these points the company have trading stations? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Is it wherever the company have trading stations that they make 

 accommodations for the natives in regard to houses and furnish them 

 medicines and dress ? Is that the lule of the company ?— A. That is 

 the rule. 



Q. Now, what do you say as to whether or not the condition of the 

 natives of Alaska — I am speaking now outside of the seal islands — is 

 improved wherever they have come in contact with the Alaska Com- 

 mercial Company? — A. I believe their condition has been very much 

 improved. 



Q. Do you know Mr. Webster? But I believe you have testifled to 

 that. 



By Mr*. FeltoN: 



Q. Do I understand they are better clothed and better housed than 

 they were before? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. And a restraint is kept upon the selling of intoxicating liquors? — 

 A. Tliere is no sale of intoxicating liquors. 



Q. Because these things are for the advantage of the company as 

 well as for the natives of the islands? — A. Yes, sir. 



By Mr. Jeffries: 



Q. I want to ask you about Mr. Webster ; is he a suitable man for the 

 position he holds with the company ? — A. I believe him to be. I be- 

 lieve him to be a very reliable man. 



Q. Do you know Mr. Newman, general agent at Oonalaska? — A. 

 Yes, sir. 



Q. What sort of a man is he ? — A. I know him to be a man of high 

 character and an honorable gentleman. 



Q. Well respected? — A. Yes; a man of very high character. 



Q. He has charge at Oonalaska ? — A. Yes ; at (Jonalaska and the 

 principal stations in the Aleutian Islands west of Kodiak. 



Q. Is he well liked and of good repute there? — A. Yes; he is liked 

 by everybody. 



Q. How long has he been there? — A. I think about seven years. 



Q. Do you know liow long Webster has been in the en^ploy of the 

 Alaska Commercial Company at the seal islands? — A. J do not know; 

 but I know it has been a number of years. 



