FUE-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 369 



III. — The Generality op the Ciiakges Made. 



The report of tlie governor, so far an relates to the operations of this company in 

 Alaska and its alleged violation of the terms of the agreement with the Government, 

 does not clearly distinguish between its course of business in diiierent parts of the 

 country or discriminate between the " fur-seal ishmds,'' which alone are embraced 

 in the lease from the United States, and those portions of Alaska in which this com- 

 pany has no greater rights or privileges than any other company or person. Various 

 charges of wrong and ojipression are made to apply generally, and in connection with 

 the statement that the company " does not confine^ its operations to the seal islands 

 leased to it by the Government, but holds and possesses most of the Aleutian chain 

 and the greater part of the main-land, as a principality of its own, over which it 

 exercises undisputed sway." 



No intelligent or accurate view can be taken, no sound or enlightened judgment 

 exercised, and no correct or rightful conclusion be reached without the discrimina- 

 tion referred to, and without considering the charges separately and in relation to 

 the natural divisions of the country. For these reasons we beg leave to present the 

 subjects treated of in the report under the following principal heads: 



First. As to the " fur-seal islands" embraced in the lease from the United States 

 to the company. 



Second. As to the other portions of the country occupied by the Aleuts, that is to 

 say, the Aleutian chain, and including therein the "Alaska Peninsula." 



Third. As to the-maiu-land. 



IV.— As TO THE Leased Islands. 

 First. The preservation and protection' of fur seals. 



The lease from the Government to the Alaska Commercial Company bears date the 

 'M August, 1870, and embraces the two ishands of St. Paul and St. George in Bering 

 Sea. The lease contains specific terms, to be performed by the company, and these 

 for seventeen years last past have been practically construed by the parties and ex- 

 actly performed. This lease was made by the Government in pursuance of a profound 

 policy and general plan of action well considered by Congress. It was well known 

 in the light of the history of the past that nnless Congress took efficient steps to- 

 Avards the preservation of the fur seals on these islands they would very soon be an- 

 nihilated, as had been the case in the South Pacific Ocean and elsewhere, except on 

 a small island belonging to Peru and two small islands of Eussia in Bering Sea. Of 

 all the vast " rookeries" of the fur seals of the earth formerly existing there remained 

 worthy of note only those upon the islauds of St. Paul and St. George and the Eus- 

 siau islands mentioned. That of Peru is comparatively insignificant, while those of 

 Eussia are far inferior to St. Paul aud St. George. Had no steps been taken by Con- 

 gress for their preservation, the "restless spirit of enterprise, unhindered," referred 

 to by Goveruor Swineford, or, in other words, the invading and aggressive spirit of 

 the fur-seal hunter, unchecked by wholesome legislation, intent alone upon immediate 

 and selfish gain and unrestrained by any wise or prudential rules, before this time 

 would have completely annihilated or driven off all the fur seals ftom these islands. 



This subject is very fullyaud ably treated by Mr. H. W. Elliottin a monograph writ- 

 ten by him underthedirectionof the Superintendent of the Census, andhis great reputa- 

 tion forprofound research and scientific attainments in connection with the Smithsonian 

 Institution gives to all that he asserts the position of established fact. The value of the 

 seal islands to-day is due to the wisdom of the Eussian Government, followed up by 

 the legislation of Congress in the same line of policy, or, as Mr. Elliott says, to the 

 wise "restrictions and wholesome direction which the Russians established in the 

 north seas, the benefits of which accrue to us to-day, and will forever, as matters are 

 now conducted. Certainly i t is surprising that the business thought, the hard-headed 

 sense, of those early English navigators should not have been equal to that of the 

 Russian Promyshleniks, who wore renowned as the most unscrupulous and the 

 greedies tof gain-getters." (Vol. VIII, Tenth Census United States, 1880, p. 7, Elliott's 

 Report. ) 



The treaty by which we obtained the cession of Alaska from Russia was proclaimed 

 by the President on the 20th of June, 18(57, Immediately thereafter the Pribylov 

 Islands were invaded, and all restrictions being removed, the slaughter of the" fur 

 seals was carried on to such a tremendous extent as to promise an earlj^ extinction of 

 the whole of the rookeries. It took some time for appropriate legislation to be 

 framed, but Congress determined to adopt the old Eussian policy of protection and 

 regulation. 



At first the killing of the fur seals was entirely prohibited, and it was made the 

 special duty of the Secretary of the Treasury " to'prevent the killing of any fur seal 

 99S4 24 



