, 1853-11-26
Sikh.


but little more is known. Like the sealed
ports Of Japan, it still remains a sub; ct for
the Investigation Of the curious. Like those
ports also, Sitka is sealed to the gene al
commerce Of the world, and no vessels are
permitted 10 trade with the residents, cx-
cept those having special license from tue
Russian Government. Some years since
the attention Of the Russians was directed
20 this point, by the abundance OF furs
found in the vicinity. A company was
formed under charter granted by the En-
peror, and factory established, e. which
trade was opened with the native Indians
in tue article Of Gurs. 10 this company the
exclusive privileges of commerce were
granted, and in it they still remain, with
single exception A want Of ice in the
market of San Francisco was felt, soon af-
ter the advent of the Americans, and thc
attention of several gentlemen Of our city
was at once directed 10 this point, as al
fording a proximate position from which the
market could be supplied, without awaiting
The tedious voyage Of a vessel from the At
lanIc. A company was accordingly formed
here, which, after negotiation, obtained the
permission Of the Russian Government 10
procure a regular supply Of this article
Its privileges were also made exclusive,
but were limited to the trade in this article
alone. BY reason of this trade more in
timatc relationship has arisen between our
port and that of Sitka, rendering the latter
one of some interest 10 us. Our attention
has been directed to this subject by the ar
rival at this port few days since, of the
Russian brig SchlckoG, forty -oue days from
Sitka. Through the politcncss of Captain
Juselius, we have been placed in possession
Of some facts which may prove interesting.
Silka is an island, near the 59th degree of
latitude. Upon this island there is but one
town, or rather factory, called Sitka. This
place is located upon a beautiful bay COM
plelely land-ocked, and aifordng the am
plest security for shipping. The pOpula'
ton of the town is fifteen hundred or two
thousand souls, all OF whom arc attached 10
the trading company first mentioned The
houses composing the town are built Of
logs, somewhat after the fashion Of those in
the new States of the Union. The men are
employed in trapping and in trailing for
skins with the Indians. These skins are
confined 10 the beaver, otter and seal, which
are taken In great numbers by the natives.
fhe face of the island is rough and noun
famous, poSs ,ssing bu. little arabic land
This, however, is cultivated, and yields a
scanly supply of potatoes, cabbages and
other vegetables, which are tie only veget.
able productions Of the island. Tie sup
plies ofprovisions are mostly obtained from
from the latter, flour and other breacstufFs.
The only fresh meat is that of the deer,
which animal is successfully hunted through
the dense forests by the Indians alone. In
this pursuit the gun is used Small shallow
streams tricklc down the hills into the
ocean, and these are filled with fish in great
variety. AT certain seasons salmon are
found in abundance, at times completely
choking up the streams, from which they
are taken with the hand, or by means of
small hook used by the Indians for that Pur-
pose. Other species Of fish are taken with
spears. Upon these articles Of food the in
habiants subsist, although from the remote
position of the island they are often caught
with limited general supply of provisions.
The only article Of traffic which the island
affords is iha; of lumber. There are at
present two saw mills running, both of
which arc driven by water. The company
is, however, engaged in the erection of an-
other, to be propelled by steam. Tins is
designed to be floating mill, and will be
Il cr,,,, rl,ra Ia rloro nIONn The
coast, as the only timber available is that
Immediately upon the beach. In Telling
trees it is necessary that they be made TO
fall into the water. Should they fall land
ward, the forest is so dense that no use can
be made Of them, and hence has the expe-
dient of floating mill been adopted. The
only timber upon the island is a 81 cces OF
white pine, an article with which the brig
is laden. The ice with which our market
is furnished is taken from three small lakes
back of the town In these the water is
but four Or five feet deep. When the brig
sailed the supply Of last winter had been
exhausted. She left in the harbor no other
vessel, and the inhabitants were plodding on
as usual, completely cut of from all inter
course with other portions Of the world
The natives of tie island live in houses
similarly constructed to those Of the Euro
pcans. They lead life Of contenlIncnt aud
Incidence. Although possessed of no very
low order of intellect, they arc said 10 be
extremely lazy. The colony is under the
control Of Governor, who is assisted by
two subordinates. Particular observance is
paid to religious worship-there being some
seven or eight ministers Of the Greek Church
in the town at this time. The island pos
scssrs no attraction whatever as a place Of
residence. During the summer the wealth
er Is rather pleasant, Lut in winlcl the Iaias