36 ALASKA. 



a strong evidence of their naturally amiable aud law-abiding 

 disposition, and it is manifestly wrong on the part of the Gov- 

 ernment to allow the disorderly element in the Aleutian ai.d 

 Indian communities to gathec such strength by continued inat- 

 tention ; for it is leading to the rapid demoralization of the 

 Aleutians, and is making it unsafe for white traders to venture 

 singly among the Indians. I therefore most earnestly call 

 attention to a plan for reform in the Territory, which will not 

 annually draw from the Treasury more than half of what is 

 received every year from the tax netted from the Seal Islands 

 alone. 



The annual revenue derived by the Government from the Ter- 

 ritory, about $300,000 net, is sufficient to support the proposed 

 system of government, and afford an unexpended balance, 

 every year, of from $100,000 to 8150,000; and it would also 

 result, in a very few years, in adding greatly to the receipts. 



The following is the plan, after much deliberation, which I 

 venture to propose : * 



1. Withdrawal of the troops from the Territory. 



2. The placing of the collector of customs at Kodiak where 

 he can live without the slightest danger of injury from savages, 

 although if left alone at Sitka he would be subjected to no ac- 

 tual risk. There is no reason why the central point for the 

 action of the revenue-officers should be at Sitka in preference 

 to either Kodiak or Ounalashka ; both of the latter being better 

 situated, with ten times the amount of trade, and double the 

 law-abiding population ; but the deputy, now at Kodiak, might 

 be transferred to Sitka. 



3. A small revenue- steamer should be provided, with a single 

 gun, and having compound engines, so that she will use but 

 three or lour tons of coal per diem, and steam seven to eight 

 knots per hour, and fitted with spars to take advantage of 

 favoring winds. Such a vessel could move to any point on 

 brief notice. She should cruise steadily throughout the year, for 

 she would move in good, sheltered channels. The appearance 

 of this vessel, at frequent intervals, would be all that is 

 necessary to guarantee security of life and property to traders 

 throughout the entire district. Her cruising-trips would estab- 

 lish a prompt means of communication between posts ; and she 

 could visit Tongass or Fort Simpson every two or three 



*Always excepting the Prybilov Group of Seal Islands, which are well pro 

 vided for by special acts of Congress, approved July 1, 1870, and March 5, ISTi 



