ALASKA. 41 



otter, and so effectually did they do so that the animals dimin- 

 ished in a very short time to but a fraction of their former 

 number; but the natives of the mainland, a very different class 

 of people, and incapable of living in as advanced a civilization 

 as the Aleutians, were never aroused, and never will be, to any 

 such activity by any legitimate effort to trade ; they only covet 

 tobacco and rum, and a little of either, used as an Indian uses 

 them, goes a long way. 



Therefore, while we may say that the fur-trade of the Aleu- 

 tian Islands and the Peninsula, as far as Kodiak, has been and 

 is to-day developed to its full importance, it is very evident 

 that, with regard to the rest of the Territory, the annual yield 

 can be and will be greatly augmented by the exertions of our 

 energetic and industrious traders who are now scattered in 

 keen rivalry over the ground. 



By the very nature of the business, character of country, 

 and climate of Alaska, white men will never themselves do any 

 sea-otter hunting or mainland trapping; it rests solely with 

 the natives, and the annual yield depends entirely upon the 

 exertions which these people may be inclined to make as a 

 means of procuring coveted articles in the hands of the traders. 

 The hardship and privation to which the fox and marteu trap- 

 pers, and especially the sea-otter hunters, are subjected while 

 in pursuit of their quarry are very great, yet not so great but 

 that white men could endure and would endure them did it pay 

 well enough ; but it will be seen by reference to the tables 

 giving the fur yield of the Territory that in proportion to the 

 number of hunters, all of whom are more or less skillful, the 

 return is a small one, and would not equal the earnings of the 

 ordinary mechanic or day-laborer in our country, with the 

 marked exception of the wages of the inhabitants of the Seal 

 Islands, who live better and receive more pay than a majority 

 of our people who are dependent upon manual labor for support. 



The life and labor of the trader on the mainland and islands 

 is one of much discomfort, and at certain seasons of the year 

 of incessant activity. A chief trader, though burdened with 

 much responsibility, lives quietly and comfortably at the re- 

 doubt or station where he is posted, the headquarters usually 

 of a very large district; but the trading is all done by deputy 

 traders, who are under the control of this head ofScer. These 

 men start out from the post alone, perhaps accompanied by an 

 Indian, with a dog-team and sled, which is loaded with several 



