402 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA.. 



I have myself seea great iiuiuovements on the Aleutian chain of islands, in the 

 natives, since they have been cut off froui the manufacture of "qnass." This quass 

 is the worst of intoxicating drinks, and I believe that if the company desired to take 

 unfair advantages of the natives, they could find no more certain plan than by selliu"- 

 them plenty of sugar, with which to make " quass." The company, however, refuHes 

 to do so, and in every way encourages them in sobriety and good morals. Whilst 

 doing business on my own account, and for others, with the Alaska Commercial Com- 

 pany, I was always treated fairly and liberally. 



In 188.5 one of my vessels was ship-wrecked, and in consequence of that I spent 

 several weeks at Oonalaska, where I was treated with great kindness by the agents 

 of the Alaska Commercial Company. Neither at that time nor at any previous time 

 did I see any mutilated coin received or paid out. I saw coin paid in transactions 

 between the natives and the Commercial Company, but it was good, current coin of 

 the United States. Had the company ever attempted to limit the natives to the use 

 of mutilated coin in their dealing with the company, I should have known it. I saw 

 no oppression of the natives, or any hard usage of them whatever, by tbe comi)auy. 



E. E. Smith.' 



San Fkancisco, December, 1887. 



No. 16. 



STATEMENT OF CAPT. A. H. M'GREGOR. 



I am master of the whaling bark Atlantic, of New^ Bedford, Mass. I was in com- 

 mand of her on the coast of Alaska, in Bering Sea, in the spring of 1884. I was 

 caught in the ice-floe and held for six weeks, and got stoved there. I came very near 

 abandoning my ship. I was finally able to reach Oonalaska. Captain Healy, of the 

 revenue vessel Corwin, came to me and piloted my ship into port. We beached her 

 on the 15th June, 1884, and there repaired her. I found there Mr. Neuman, agent of 

 the Alaska Commercial Company, in charge of that company's business. He was 

 very obliging, and afforded me every facility possible. He furnished me with materials 

 for repairs, and gave me the use of the blacksmith shop and wharf free of any charge 

 whatever, and also offered me a supply of water. He informed me that I could have 

 Irom the company's store anything they had at San Francisco wholesale prices, with 

 the freight only added. I made some purchases on those terms. The surveyors of 

 the ship thought the expenses of her repair would be about $1,000 to $1,500. But, 

 with the assistance of Mr. Neuman and the labor I employed there, my expenses did 

 not exceed $56, and I was delayed only four or five days. He also cashed at the com- 

 pany's store my draft on the owners at San Francisco, and otherwise treated me and 

 my crew with great kindness and hospitality. 



A. H. McGregor. 



San Francisco, December, 1887. 



No. 17. 



letter of the secretary of the navy, in acknowledgment of services 

 rendered by the alaska commercial company. 



Navy Department, 



Washington, February 10, 1885. 

 Gentlemen : I desire to convey, through you, the thanks of the Navy Department 

 to your agent, Mr. Neuman, at Oonalaska and Mr. Laurence, at St. Michaels, for their 

 kindness and assistance to Lieut. George M. Stouey, U. S. Navy, commanding the U. 

 S. S. Oonalaska, and also especially to Captain Hague, commanding your steamer 

 Dora, whose valuable assistance to the Oonalaska when in Analga Pass last October, 

 contributed to the safety of that vessel. 



With a high appreciation of the services rendered by Captain Hague and the court- 

 esies of your agents, I have the honor to subscribe myself, 

 Very respectfully, 



Wm. E. Chandler, 

 Secretary of the Navy. 

 The President and Directors of the 



Alaska Commercial Company, 



