INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 749 



surveys outside of the islands, I did not want to return. Then he 

 said, "I will gladly do that if I can get authority from Congress." 



Mr. McGuire. I asked you when you next returned ? 



Mr. Elliott. I went back on the revenue cutter Reliance under 

 authority of an act approved April 22, 1874, which authorized the 

 Secretary of the Treasury to appoint a man qualified by experience 

 and education to make a survey of the condition of the fur-seal herd 

 and other matters in Alaska. I received my appointment 



Mr. McGuire (interposing). You returned in 1874? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes. 



Mr. McGuire. At what time. 



Mr. Elliott. I must have gotten back about the 6th or 7th of 

 September, or later, perhaps. I can find that; it is all in the rec- 

 ord and testimony here, however. 



Mr. McGuire. I am asking for your best judgment. 



Mr. Elliott. It is about that or within a few days. I was accom- 

 panied by an associate, Lieut. Commander Washburn Maynard, 

 United States Navy. 



Mr. McGuire. When you returned in September, 1874, how long 

 did you remain ? 



Mr. Elliott. Then I had my report to elaborate- 



Mr. McGuire (interposing). I am asking you how long you re- 

 mained. Tell me that. 



Mr. Elliott. Remained where ? 



Mr. McGuire. On the islands. 



Mr. Elliott. I landed on the islands in 1874, I think, the 28th of 

 June. 



Mr. McGuire. I thought you said September. 



Mr. Elliott. No; I landed on the islands the 28th of June and 

 remained there until the middle of August, or near the end, before 

 I left them. Then we cruised to St. Matthews Island, St. Law- 

 rence 



Mr. McGuire (interposing). In 1874 you returned to the islands? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; landed on St. George June 28, on the Reliance, 

 that being the name of the revenue cutter, Capt. Baker. 



Mr. McGuire. How long did you remain on the islands at that 

 time? 



Mr. Elliott. From June 28 I was there until the 14th or 15th of 

 August, after the skins were all taken, and the work of the season 

 closed. Then we went aboard the Reliance at St. Paul Island, and 

 cruised to the northward, to St. Matthews Island; made "a survey of 

 that island, to see whether there was any possibility of seal rookeries 

 having been there, or whether they could be there. 



Mr. McGuire. You were at that time in the employ of the Gov- 

 ernment ? 



Mr. Elliott. Wholly; yes, sir; and I was employed under the 

 authority of that act. There was no other designation except that, 



Mr. McGuire. When did you again return to the islands ? 



Mr. Elliott. Then again I went to the islands in 1876, in an 

 unofficial and confidential capacity, as an arbitrator for the lessees 

 in a family difference over business they had. I got up there in Sep- 

 tember, and left, I think, the latter part of that month or early in 

 October. I was there about three weeks. 



Mr. McGuire. You went to the islands unofficially 



