342 FUR-SEAL FISSERlES OF ALASKA. 



promulgated for his guidance. On the contrary, one of his rules, and 

 the one he laid most stress upon, was that the natives should be allowed 

 to buy sugar, which, if it had been promulgated, would have demor- 

 alized the whole community. 



The Chairman. State how ? 



The Witness. Because that is an ingredient out of which quass is made, 

 a native beer that is an intoxicant. He claimed that " these people were 

 American citizens," and therefore shoukl be allowed to buy sugar and 

 use it. At the same time that he made this claim on the ground that 

 they were American citizens, his other rules forbid "these American 

 citizens" from going to the Government house. If there is any place 

 in the world an American citizen would hav^e a right to go it would be 

 to the Government house.' Supposing a man wanted to buy something, 

 he seuds his wife or daughters or boys. Under these sweeping rules 

 they could neither call upon Mr. Ryan at the Government house or the 

 agent at the company's house for anything they might require. His 

 rules were very foolish, as I considered the regulations I had established 

 were all that was necessary, and I simply marked them void and de- 

 clined to promulgate them, telling him that whenever it was necessary 

 to amend the rules in force I would be glad to do so, if he would call 

 my attention to any imperfection, and I could be convinced they might 

 be improved by the adoption of his suggestious. I conferred fully with 

 my assistants, Loud and Manchester, about all matters pertaining to the 

 business ; they co-operated with me cheerfully and pleasantly. I here 

 bear testimony to their ability and faithfulness as officers. Mr. Ryan 

 was watchful of the seal rookeries and even braved danger for their 

 protection. 



Mr. Chairman, before closing my testimony I wish to say that it 

 has been my purpose throughout this investigation to avoid personal- 

 ities, and confine my evidence within the scope of the resolution order- 

 ing your committee to proceed with the investigation. Beiug forced by 

 the extraordinary character of evidence giveu by William Gavitt to 

 reply thereto, I could not, in justice to the defenseless people unjustly 

 assailed, do otherwise than ask the indulgence of the committee, 

 that I might defend the distant, helpless, houest, virtuous communi- 

 ties under my charge, as the Goverumeut's representative, from the 

 grossly wrong, wholesale charges of immorality made by William Gav- 

 itt. I assure you the islands of St. Paul and St. George contain among 

 their inhabitants many good Christian native people, houest and virtu- 

 ous, who love their wives and families devotedly, who will be shocked 

 when they see, as they must, the base, foul, and false accusations against 

 their character. I here wish recorded my defense of the white ])eop]e 

 on the islands, whether employes of the fur company. Government offi- 

 cers (excepting William Gavitt), officers of the revenue marine, or vis- 

 itors, as gentlemen worthy to till positions of responsibility, as incapa- 

 ble of the outrages imputed to them in the swee{)ing charges of the 

 witness, who alone of the great number giving evidence under oath is 

 found to possess the knowledge of the astounding state of immorality 

 represented by him. 



Mr. Chairman, his evidence is an insult and outrage on the good 

 people of the community I have known personally more than twice as 

 long as he has; and as their chief officer, sent by this Government to 

 look after their welfare and interests, 1 nuike this defense as is my 

 bouuden duty, and ask that it be received as part of my evidence. 



Mr. Chairman, there is one thing in the interests of the native people 

 and the Government to which I would like to refer ; that is, the subject 

 taken aj} by Mr. Wilhams when he was last on the stand. 



