10 FISHERIES IN ALASKA. 



tract for that number, without any apparent decrease ; and when we take into consideration 

 the fact that one male seal is sufficient for three hundred females, and that the company 

 furnish the 75,000 from the former without any apparent diminishment of their numbers, we 

 have a faint idea of the wealth contained on the island. 



It will thus be seen that, with proper management, the island should be made to yield a 

 handsome revenue to the government. Strict regulations, similar to those adopted by the 

 .Russians, should be enforced, thereby preventing an indiscriminate slaughter of those val- 

 uable animals. Unless this is done, speculators, whalers, and others anxious to amass a 

 fortune in the shortest possible time, will take possession and ruin in one year a business 

 which should be made permanent and profitable for years to come. 



The climate is mild considering the latitude, 57° north, and cattle and poultry are raised 

 and kept on the island without difficulty. 



The only walrus skeleton in the United States (now at the Smithsonian Institute) was 

 taken by the natives near this island. 



Respectfully submitted. 



FRANK N. WICKER, 

 Late Chief of Land Service Russian American Telegraph Expedition. 



LOCKJ'ORT. N. Y., January, 1868. 



No. 12. 



[Received under Senator Cole's frank, March 2, 1868. J 

 FORTIETH CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION— S. R. U8. 



In the Senate of the United States, 



February 28, 1868. 

 Mr. Cole asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to bring in the 

 following joint resolution ; which was read twice, referred to the Committee on 

 Public Lands, and ordered to be printed : 



JOINT RESOLUTION relating to the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George. 



Resolved by tlie Senate and House of Rejirescnlativcs of the United, States of 

 America in Congress assembled, That the California-Russia Fur Company, suc- 

 cessors to the Russian-American Fur Company, shall have the possession, use, 

 and control, for a period of thirty years, of Saint George's and Saint Paul's 

 islands, (situated about fifty-seven degrees north latitude, and about one hundred 

 and seventy degrees west longitude from Greenwich, ) to the extent necessary 

 for the propagation and protection of fur-bearing sea animals resorting to said 

 islands, and as fully as the same have heretofore been exercised and enjoyed by 

 ;the Russian-American Fur Company. 



No. 13. 



Senator Cole to Mr. Eroionivg. 



Senate United States, 



April 13, 186 S. 

 Sir : I have by telegraph from San Francisco an intimation that certain par- 

 ties in the Atlantic States are trying to obtain fishing, hunting, and trading 

 privileges in Alaska, to the prejudice of certain persons on the Pacific coast. 

 This I hope may not be encouraged. 

 Respectfullv, 



C. COLE. 

 The Secretary pk the Interior. 



