B4 THE AMERICAN BISON IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 



Referring to the concluding lines of the resolution, it seems to me 

 eminently desirable that the Congress of the United States should take 

 proper steps to prevent the extermination of these animals. 

 Yours, very truly, 



A. J. Montague. 



Hon. E. A. Hitchcock, 



Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. 



WASHINGTON. 



State of Washington, Executive Department, 



Olympia, February 11, 1902. 

 Sir: In reply to your favor of the 3d instant, regarding existing 

 herds of buffalo in this State, I have the honor to say: There are no 

 buffalo in their natural state in Washington State, neither are there 

 any buffalo in the public or private parks. It has come to my notice, 

 however, that a small herd of buffalo was shipped into the city of 

 Seattle from, I believe, British Columbia, for the purpose of specula- 

 tion, the shippers believing that the} r could be sold to advantage for 

 Christmas meats, and to the owners of private parks there. The 

 animals arrived too late for the Christmas trade, however, and, being 

 placed on exhibition, occasioned considerable attention from the public. 

 Later, one or two, having been injured, had to be killed; the other 

 day the majority of the remaining herd were slaughtered for meat, 

 while the two or three still existing are in the possession of the private 

 owners with no apparent future before them except the butcher's 

 block. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



J. Howard Watson, 



Secretary to Governor McBride. 



Hon. E. A. Hitchcock, 



Secretary of the Interior. Washington, D. C. 



WEST VIRGINIA. 



Executive Department, 

 Charleston, W. Va., February 11, 1902. 

 Sir: Replying to your favor of February 3, making inquiry as to 

 the buffalo in their natural state and in the public parks or private 

 herds in the State of West Virginia, would say that, so far as I am 

 advised, there are no bison oi buffalo at present within this State, 

 either in public parks or private herds. 



Very respectfully, yours, A. B. White, Governor. 



Hon. E. A. Hitchcock, 



Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. 



