ALASKA. 267 



tei's now progress, but it caunot be considered superfluous to 

 call up this question for discussion and future thought. 



In the. mean time the movements of the seals upon the sev- 

 eral breeding-grounds of Saint Paul and Saint George should 

 be faithfully noted and recorded every year, and the question of 

 their increase or diminution will be soon settled beyond all 

 theory or cavil. This action on the part of the Government 

 agent up there is of the first importance. The counting of the 

 skins is done alike twice over, by the company in the presence 

 of the natives, and then again in San Francisco by the custom- 

 house officials there, and heavy bonds and self-interest would 

 prevent any attempt at transgression of law, even if an ap- 

 parent chance was offered ; but the company is not bound to 

 submit a report every year to the Treasury Department upon 

 the condition of the seal-life there, and although it does take in- 

 telligent cognizance of this matter, still no weight could be at- 

 tached to any statement that it might make, for the simple rea- 

 son of the cry that would be raised of interested machination 

 if so done. 



AN ACT to prevent the extermination of fur-bearing animals in Alaska. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and Souse of Representatives of the 

 United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be 

 unlawful to kill any fur-seal upon the islands of Saint Paul's 

 and Saint George's, or in the waters adjacent thereto, except 

 during the months of June, July, September, and October, in 

 each year ; and it shall be unlawful to kill such seals at any 

 time by the use of fire-arms, or use other means tending to 

 drive the seals away from said islands : Provided, That the 

 natives of said islands shall have the privilege of killing such 

 young seals as may be necessary for their own food and cloth- 

 ing during other months, and also such old seals as may be 

 required for their own clothing and for the manufacture of boats 

 for their own use, which killing shall be limited and controlled 

 by such regulations as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of 

 the Treasury. 



Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be unlawful to 

 kill any female seal, or any seal less than one year old, at any 

 season of the year, except as above provided ; and it shall also 

 be unlawful to kill any seal in the waters adjacent to said 

 islands, or on the beaches, cliffs, or rocks where they haul up 

 from the s«a to remain ; and any person who shall violate 



