Xlii INTRODUCTION. 



trade with the opposite coast of Asia in Squirrel, Fox, 

 Sable, and Bear skins. These are generally shipped 

 from Port Aian, either by San Francisco, or through 

 Japan to London. It has many agencies in the Aleutian 

 Islands, such as Aktah, Oonalaska, Belcovsky, Oonga, 

 and Kadiak. 



The Sea-Otter is now the chief source of income, the 

 amount of the sale in 1891 being about ^650,000 to 

 i'60,000. 



The Company employs a fleet of four steamers, and 

 about twelve barques or sloops. No port is less than 

 500 to 600 miles from Sitka, which is the chief trading 

 depot, corresponding to York Fort depot of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company. The Company, by their former charter, 

 were obliged to furnish dried salmon, fuel, and schools 

 to the natives of the Pribylov Islands. 



North American Commercial Company. 



This Company was formed in San Francisco on the 

 31st December, 1889. The capital is $500,000, of which 

 $200,000 has been paid. 



The Directors are : — Lloyd Tevis, Henry Cowell, 

 Matthias Meyer, Albert Miller, and Isaac Liebes. 



This body has acquired the lease of taking Fur Seal 

 skins on the Pribylov Islands for twenty years, at an 

 annual rental of |55,200, and $10.75 for each skin; 

 provided, after the first year, the catch shall not be 

 limited to less than 100,000 skins. The skins will, as 

 before, be sold by Messrs. C. M. Lampson and Co., 

 Queen Street, London. 



