FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 353 



the left cheek. The bodj' is then carried to the grave by the relatives aud buried. A 

 few days after the fnueral a tea party is givea at the house of the deceased, aud is 

 usually largely attended, mostly by the female portiou of the population. After forty 

 days' mouruiug and prayers, the surviving wife or husband, as the case may be, is at 

 liberty to many again. 



The sanitary coudition of the villages on both islands could not be better, aud in- 

 deed will compare very favorably with the small towns in the States, if not put 

 many of them to shame could they be compared. 



On the 17th day of June at, noon, the United States man-of-war Thetis, Lieutenant- 

 Commander Emory, arrived at this ishxnd and anchored, having on board his excel- 

 lency A. P. Swineford, governor of Alaska. 



Commander Emory, with a number of his officers and the governor, came on shore 

 and were met at the landing by the Treasury officials ami Alaska Commercial Com- 

 pany's agent. Dr. H. H. Mclutyre, by whom a cordial welcome was extended the 

 distinguished visitors. Every facility was offered the governor to further the object 

 of his visit. He was placed in possessiou of the fullest information from the books 

 and by personal observation, as well as inquiry among the natives as to tlie manage- 

 ment of the fur-seal islands. The entire ship's party were taken to the rookeries by 

 the Treasury agent, as well as upon the seal fields, through the salt-houses, and store, 

 school-house, aud church, where the governor looked into everything critically. He 

 took occasion to express himself as highly pleased with the condition of the natives 

 and the management of the Government interests and the relation of the lessees 

 therewith. 



He was indeed quite profuse in his praise of the company's care aud provision for 

 the natives, as well as the correct methods of conducting the Government business. 

 He thought it could not be improved on. 



The governor's visit here can have but one result, as he is a fair man, viz, to give him 

 the data gained by pei'sonal knowledge on which he will base a report correcting 

 many of the errors into which he was led in his last report, by accepting as true the 

 false statement of a man named Anderson. 



The visitors were entertained at the Government house, and on the I8th the Treas- 

 ury agent returned their visit and was entertained at dinner on board the ship. 



The United States revenue-cutter Bear, Capt. M. A. Healy, arrived and anchored 

 at this island on the IGth of June, the day before the arrival of the Thetis. She brought 

 our mail and papers from San Francisco up to May 25. The two ships left on the 

 19th at 3 p. m. under sail for Oonalaska. The Bear, after cruising to the south and 

 eastward ret'irned to the island on the 7th of July, departing again the morning of 

 the Sth instant at daylight. 



The U. S. revenue-cutter Bush, Captain Sheppard, arrived at the island on the 25th 

 instant, bringing mail for the islands from San Francisco up to July 2, and the flrst 

 intelligence we had of the action of the two national conventions. 



The cutter Bear anchored here on the 20th instant, and left on the 21st for the Arctic 

 Ocean; she had cruised quite extensively in the Bering Sea since she was last here. 

 Captain Healy repoi'ted to me that he had not sighted any schooners, which indicates 

 an unusual absence of marauders this year. In a letter from Captain Glover, of the 

 U. S. cutter Walcoti, by the Bush, I am informed that the American schooners had 

 decided not to enter Bering Sea this season to kill seals. Captain Glover's opportu- 

 nities in Puget Sound for obtaining correct information are good ; he is fully sustained 

 by the reports from Captains Healy and Sheppard, who, up to the last of this month, 

 have not sighted a single marauding vessel in Bering Sea. 



The good work of the U. S. revenue-cutters last year, in seizing the vessels unlaw- 

 fully engaged in sealing, has had a salutary effect. 



Whilst the vessels have kept out of Bering Sea up to this date, they have vigor- 

 ously pursued the fur seals in the North Pacific Ocean en route to their home on the 

 islands of St. Paul and St. George, killing and destroying a very large number. 



All the obligations of the lessees were performed to the entire satisfaction of the 

 Government officers, and in strict accordance with their contract. 



Although the schools are as well supplied with every facility for teaching that can 

 be found in any eastern town, yet the native children make but limited progress in 

 their studies; they are extremely dull and iudifferent about learning, and are not en- 

 couraged by their parents to study ; they are particularly averse to learning English. 



1 leave St. George Island in charge of Captain Loud, assistant Treasury agent, and 

 St. Paul Island with Mr. J. P. Manchester, assistant Treasury agent, in charge. Mr. 

 William Garrett, assistant Treasury agent in charge of St. George Island during the 

 past year, and myself return to our homes, as per Department letter of authority March 

 5, 18d8, A. F. :i08. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Geo. R. Tingle, 



Hon. C. S. Fairchii.d, Treasury Agent. 



Secretary of the Treasury. 



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