28 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
the seals which the Russians had evolved. It is evident that in these operations of. 
1868 the natives were carrying out rules and methods which had become traditional 
with them. One of these rules, as we learn from instructions to the officer in charge 
of the islands in the year 1853, was the strict protection of females.* 
THE KILLING NOT INDISCRIMINATE. 
We are also justified in assuming that the killing as practiced in 1868 did not in 
any way injure the herd, being confined as heretofore to the killing of the bachelors. 
That so large a number were killed is in part accounted for by reduction in killing 
in the years immediately prior to the transfer of the islands to the United States. A 
surplus of the larger animals thus saved remained to be gathered in. It is further 
evident that the killing extended down to the younger seals, doubtless including all 
or most of the two-year-olds. This latter fact is given support by the absence of any 
regular killing for the year 1869 and the small quota of 23,000 only which was taken 
jn 1870. We are not aware that the usual number of seals could not have been 
obtained in these years, but it may well have been that the quota for 1869 and 1870 
had been anticipated to large extent in the year 1868. This much, however, remains 
certain, that the absence of large killings in 1869 and 1810 removed any possible 
injury which might have resulted to the herd from the too close killing of bachelors in 
1868, and the fact that for fifteen years subsequent to 1870, 100,000 and more males 
were to be obtained on the hauling grounds of the islands shows conclusively that not 
only were the breeding females not disturbed in 1868, but furthermore that the supply 
of male life was not so reduced as in any way to affect the life of the herd. 
AMERICAN MANAGEMENT. 
In the spring of 1869 Dr. H. H. McIntyre, the representative of the United States 
Government, landed upon the island, establishing the authority of the Government, 
and taking the necessary steps for the protection of the rookeries. 
The period of lawlessness which marked the season of 1868 was thus terminated 
in 1869 by Dr. McIntyre. He was appointed in 1868 and endeavored to reach his 
destination in the fall of that year, but on account of the lateness of the season he 
was forced to winter at Sitka. 
THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY. 
In the meantime the Government had under consideration the most advantageous 
method of managing its fur-seal industry. After a thorough consideration of all 
recommendations and suggestions bearing upon the matter, it was decided to lease 
the islands to a single reliable company under the immediate supervision and control 
of agents of the Treasury Department, duly commissioned for that purpose. In 
accordance with this decision in July, 1870, Congress passed an act authorizing this 
course of procedure, and immediately afterwards the Secretary of the Treasury 
advertised for bids for the lease of the seal fisheries for a period of twenty years. 
Of the numerous offers received from various companies and associations, that of 
the Alaska Commercial Company, with a capital of $2,000,000, was accepted as the 
one most likely to promote the “interests of the Government, the native inhabitants, 
the parties heretofore engaged in the trade, and the protection of the seal fisheries.” 
* Appendix to Case of U. S., Fur Seal Arb., Letter No. 23, p. 82. 
