captain was an Indian woman, and a native of the village off 
which they were anchored. She and her mother were also on 
board. A young Indian, supposed to be reliable, was selected 
as guide, who, after assisting the miners in landing their provi¬ 
sions, conducted them to the suburbs, where, after treacherously 
separating them, he seized their arms, and, in turn, brutally slew 
them with blows upon the head from the butts of their guns. 
Feeling that he had committed no crime, he at once admitted the 
murders to the family of the captain, and stated his object was the 
capture of their provisions and guns. Two years later an Ameri¬ 
can man-of-war entered the harbor in pursuit of the murderer. 
Two Indian chiefs were taken on board and the object of the 
visit explained to them. One was allowed to depart in search of 
the murderer, who had fled to the mountains ; the other was re¬ 
tained on board as a hostage. In two days the chief who was 
permitted to depart returned with the murderer, who was at once 
recognized by the captain and family of the schooner mentioned, 
and who were brought by the man-of-war for that purpose. 
When the murderer found himself securely on board, he very 
calmly described the character of death he preferred, accepting 
it as certain and immediate. In this respect he was disappointed, 
and was sent for trial to the nearest United States court, which 
was Washington Territory, where he was convicted and promptly 
executed. 
The stolid apathy asserted of the Indian was not observed in 
the case just mentioned. Among the many canoes which hurried 
to and from the man-of-war on that sunny November morning 
—made doubly bright from reflection on the lofty and snowy peak 
of Mount St. Elias—was observed one in particular containing 
two Indian women, with head bowed and weeping , of comely ap¬ 
pearance and exceptionally neat in attire : they were the mother 
and sister of the murderer. 
Courts, laws, and lawyers are unknown in Alaska, nor does a 
civil officer of any kind exist.* Legally, an oath cannot be ad¬ 
ministered, debt collected, or property transferred. Such au¬ 
thority as prevails is military, and is vested in the commander of 
* This condition of affairs no longer exists, an Act providing a civil government for 
Alaska having been approved May 17th, 1S84, and appointments made in accordance with its 
provisions. 
