382 PUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



The whole of this division between the Koskokvim and the Nushagak, including the 

 valleys of those rivers all along the coast of Bering Sea and extending far inland, is 

 so invested in summer with mosquitoes and small poisonous black flies, that their 

 " pernicious influeuce" alone will, until some great deliverance comes, forever exclude 

 the white population from that region. Writers.on the subject describe these as pro- 

 ducing " a most terrible and poignant infliction," not only producing the greatest 

 distress, but also fever. Mosquitos torture the Indian dogs to death, and "even 

 drive the bear and deer into the water." The Indians protect themselves by anuoint- 

 iug their bodies with rancid oil and by wrapping mosquito nets and cloths around 

 their heads and wearing mittens in midsummer. (Vol. VIII, 10th Census United 

 States, 1880, p. 14, Petrott's Report.) 



As to these portions of Alaska we present simple facts, with no desire to underrate 

 any part of the country ; but as the Alaska Commercial Company does a small busi- 

 ness here, we may rightfully show that its operations have not the slightest influence 

 for good or ill, but that nature has placed here barriers beyond human power. 



At all times we have ofi'ered facilities to all miners, scientists, explorers, excursion- 

 ists, traders, missionaries, or immigrants, visiting any part of the country. We have 

 in numerous instances written to our agents to extend to them every courtesy. We 

 have carried them and their baggage and freight to and from all points to which our 

 vessels run; and it has been a pleasure to assist unfortunate miners on their way 

 home from remote regions to which they have been tempted by overdrawn pictures 

 of promising bonanzas. We present in the appendix (No. 7) a letter of Mr. Lewis 

 Gerstle, when president of this company, written in 1886, as a specimen of orders 

 given to our agents from time to time, and as evidence of our general treatment of 

 our fellow-citizens who visit any portions of Alaska where we have business and 

 agents. 



We have furnished supplies at fair prices, and filled orders and commissions on 

 reasonable terms, acting at times in the character not only of common carriers, but as 

 expressmen. Our business with all persons has been on a legitimate basis, resting on 

 the established proposition that commercial transactions may be conducted in such a 

 manner as to be of profit and advantage to all engaged. 



VII.— Mutilation of United States Coin. 



Governor Swineford, in his report, states of this company : 



"In order to more etfectually monopolize the trade it has marked and mutilated the 

 coin of the United States, and refused to receive any other from the natives in pay- 

 ment for goods sold them." 



As this is made a felony under section .5459, Revised Statutes United States, it should 

 not have been charged except upon the most reliable evidence and after the greatest 

 consideration ; yet it is not only utterly and wholly untrue, but this company has 

 done no act in reference to United States coin which its bitterest enemy could dis- 

 tort into the semblance of this crime. On the contrary, the company has for several 

 years past taken all the mutilated and defaced coin received by it, and from time to 

 time sold it as bullion by weight in San Francisco, at its own loss, for the purpose of 

 getting it out of circulation in Alaska. 



If an efl'ectual monopoly of trade in territory of the United States can be effected, 

 and all competition, overcome by defacing and mutilating United States coin, and re- 

 fusing to receive in business transactions anything except coin so mutilated, it in- 

 volves a principle of trade and political economy too profound for the comprehension 

 of this company. Certain it is thai such a scheme has never been pursued in any 

 country ever heard of till now. 



VIII.— As to violations of the law and Executive Orders in relation to 



THE importation AND SALE OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS BY THE COMPANY'S 

 AGENTS. 



If the governor has positive information on the subject of such " flagrant viola- 

 tions," it is his duty to see that the offenders are prosecuted in due course of the 

 criminal law. A conviction in such a case would most satisfactorily establish the 

 fact. As yet, however, no such oflcnse has been charged on the oath of any prosecut- 

 ing witness, nor have any proceedings to vindicate the law been initiated. We ap- 

 prehend that none will be, for it will be found, in the future as in the past, that 

 when responsibility attaches to the making of charges, and verification is required 

 under oath, none will be seen so reckless as to conform to the necessary forms of 

 law in making accusations. 



On a similar charge heretofore made, this company was heard by this honorable De. 

 partment and honoiably acquitted. The papers of the Department will verify this 

 statement. The charge now made is merely a reproduction of the old charge, with- 

 out any foundation whatever. 



