FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 333 



Q. Did you make that copy? — A. Yes, sir; this is a copy from the 

 traiiscrii)t inade by me. 



Q. Do you kuow of any hirfje number of illicit sealers that are ex- 

 pected in Bering- Sea from the United States or British Columbia next 

 season '? — A. Only from hearsay. We estimate there were, during the 

 last three years, from twenty to thirty such vessels engaged in illicit 

 sealing, and it is credibly reported that the number will be largely 

 increased during next season. 



Q,. Do you know anything of those that are being fitted out in British 

 Columbia? — A. Nothing specific. 



Q. From whom do you receive instructions as to the general policy 

 to be pursued by the company on the islands ? — A. The instructions 

 issued by the late Senator John F. Miller, who was at that time presi- 

 dent of the company, continue to this day to be the basis of the policy 

 for the guidance of the company's agents on the islands. They are on 

 file on the islands, and the agents are told to be guided by them. The 

 letter in which the most of these instructions are found contains about 

 30 pages, but I have here with me, and am able to produce at this time, 

 extracts relating to only a few of the subjects treated upon by General 

 Miller. 



Extrac's from the Utter of John F. Miller, president of the Alaska Commercial Company, 

 to the superintendent of the seal fisheries, dated March 29, 1872, the tenor of which is still 

 followed on the islands, June, 1888. 



Prices of goods. — It is the policy of the company to not attempt to make any profit 

 in the sale of i)rovisions and merchandise at the islands. It is desired that all articles 

 he sold at prices rather helow original cost and transportation than ahove the same, 

 hnt never ahove ordinary retail prices at San Francisco for like articles. An addition 

 of 25 per cent, above invoice prices will probably cover transportation, and hence that 

 rnle has been adopted; but in case of light fabrics or small articles it maybe that the 

 application of the rule would bring such articles above San Francisco retail prices. 

 In such cases you will mark such articles down. It makes no difference if prices were 

 highei-. The company desires prices adjusted on the principles above stated, but does 

 not desire that the price of any article be raised above former prices, even though it be 

 sold at a loss. 



Wages. —The payment of 40 cents coin for the lahor of taking each skin and carry- 

 ing it to the salt-house is deemed sufficient compensation, and this will be continued 

 until the Secretary of the Treasury makes a different regulation. In respect to other 

 labor the company desires to pay fair, liberal compensation. It will probably he well 

 to fix the maximum wages for a day's work of the best laborers at $1, and the mini- 

 mum at 50 cents, making always the wages a matter of contract with the persons em- 

 ployed. The charge has been published that the company held these native inhabit- 

 ants in a condition of peonage of quasi-slavery. Tbis charge, though false, is a seri- 

 ous one. Such a condition is abhorrent to the sense of every man interested in the 

 couipany. The natives are the laborers of the company, not by compulsion, but by 

 free choice, and all labor is performed under contract.' You will be careful that no 

 act is committed or word said by any agent of the company which can be construed 

 as indicating a purpose on the part of the company to adopt or carry on a system of 

 compulsory labor. If the inhabitants choose not to work it will be a misfortune 

 greater to them than to the company. 



Treatment of the i>eoj>?e.— Complaints of the most extravagant character, and false 

 in every particular, concerning tbe treatment, of the native people by the agent of 

 the company have been published in this city by the blackmail sheet called the 

 Alaska Herald, and in some instances have heen copied into Eastern newspapers. 

 No great harm has been done by these publicatious, for they have, for the most part, 

 heen so extravagant and evidently malicious that they carried their own refutation. 

 Nevertheless, it bas been a source of congratulation that we have been able to truth- 

 fully controvert all these damaging statements. It is important that the utmost care 

 he tiiken to see that the natives are kindly and liberally treated; that friendly rela- 

 tions between them and all our employ(?s constantly exist, and that no injustice, even 

 in the smallest degree, be done them; that free schools are maintained ; that no in- 

 terference with their local government or religion be practiced, and that tliey are 

 constantly treated as people having the same rights, privileges, and immunities as 



all citizeqs pf tlie Uaitea States eujoy. AU efforts to elevate tUem i» tUe scale q* 



