352 FUE-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



Statement B shows the killiug on St. Paul and St. George consolidated each month. 



The extremely small number of seals rejected this year, viz, 273, attests the care 

 which is exercised in killiug the quota of 1UO,000. This iusignifi cant loss is the more 

 remarkable when it is considered that in the drives many large bulls and yearling 

 seals are driven up to the killing grounds, which have to be separated in the pods 

 when clubbing. The presence of these seals among the killables is very embarrassing 

 to the clubbers, as they can not be turned out to return to the sea until nearly or 

 quite all the acceptable seals are knocked down, when they are driven otf to the 

 water unharmed. 



The sealing throughout the season progressed without any serious interruptions, 

 and was concluded in a most satisfactory manner by the lessees on both islands. 



There has been general good behavior among the natives on both islands during 

 the past year, owing to the strict discipline and careful watchfulness of the Govern- 

 ment officers in charge. 



The natives have performed their work during this sealing season with alacrity, 

 each one manifesting a disposition to do his whole duty. 



The breeding rookeries were later filling this year than for several years past. I 

 may say that fully three-fourths of the cows and bulls were ten days later hauling 

 out than usual, which at the time gave the impression there would be a shortage this 

 season of killable seals as well as breeders. 



I am happy to be able to report that although late landing the breeding rookeries 

 are filled out to the lines of measurement heretofore made, and some of them much 

 beyond those lines, showing conclusively that seal life is not being depleted, but is 

 fully up to the estimates given in my report of 18d7. 



The marauders which infest the sea, shooting and harrassing the seals on their 

 way to the islands, I am sure, is the main cause of their late landing this year, and if 

 this unlawful slaughtering of the fur seal in Bering Sea is not in some way effectually 

 stopped they will adopt some other route and make a home on some other land, most 

 likely on the Russian side. The number hauling out on our islands will each year 

 grow rapidly less, when it would be impossible for any lessee to secure the quota 

 they may by contract be allowed to take, and your world-wide famous seal islands 

 would be in a short time reduced to the home of a few straggling seals and as a source 

 of revenue be entirely destroyed. Although this question of unlawful killing of seals 

 by schooners fitted out in British Columbia ports, as well as American, has been re- 

 ferred to at length in previous reports, I again beg to call the Department's atten- 

 tion to it, in view of the termination of the j)resent lessees' contract on the 1st day of 

 May, 1890, which gives them but one more season's killing. It is of the highest impor- 

 tance some definite and prompt action should be taken looking to the preservation of 

 seal life, or the valuable seal property, which could be made to yield a larger revenue 

 to the Government than it does now, will soon be of no value. 



With absolute protection the seals will increase, so that a greater number could 

 each year be taken to keep pace with the increased demand, and the price cheapened 

 to the people of the world, and particularly to those of moderate means in our own 

 country who would be glad to enjoy the comforts of the beautiful seal garment. 



On April 4 the steam-whaler Orca, Captain Baldray, touched at this island on her 

 way to the Arctic Ocean. The captain very kindly sent on shore a file of San Fran- 

 cisco papers up to the 5th of March, together with a quantity of fresh fish and vege- 

 tables. In return for his kindness the Treasury agent, Mr. Manchester, and the Alaska 

 Commercial Company's agent, Mr. Redpath, sent him off some presents. 



The weather last winter and spring was exceptionally mild. The lowest tempera- 

 ture in December was 14 degrees, January 8 degrees, and February 2 degrees above 

 zero, and then only for one day in each of the months. The ice did not make its 

 appearance around either of the island, or even in sight, contrary to the usual cus- 

 tom. This is accounted for by the prevailing winds being east and southeast instead 

 of north and northeast, as is generally the case. 



The condition of the natives on the two islands remains about the same as hereto- 

 fore reported ; they are slowly becoming more Americani?;ed, and are perfectly happy 

 and contented ; as they well may be, with the treatment they receive at the hands of 

 the Alaska Commercial Company and the Govei-nment. 



The usual number of deaths occurred this year, mostly the result of imprudent ex- 

 posure, although the best medical treatment is furnished them, with medicines free, 

 they fail to give that careful attention to nursing which is necessary to bring them 

 through. When they are remonstrated with for exposing themselves unnecessarily 

 in bad weather, they generally reply in Russian, " Never mind, to die is good." When 

 once prepared for death by the priest of the Greek Church, they calmly and happily 

 await the end. No tears are shed by the relatives of the deceased, and no sorrow is 

 manifested in the household. If it is a wife, the husband, according to their custom, 

 makes the coffin ; and if a husband, then the nearest male relative makes the coffin. 

 The body in all cases is taken to the church, where services are held, at the conclu- 

 sion of which every man, woman, and child kisses the corpse on the forehead and on 



