The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-31

two corporations. The Hudson Bay Companv
with its direetrors in London AMI the Rusdan
American Company with its directors In st.
Petersburg. These companies have purchased
a vast amount of furs from the natives and in
the early days of commerce at a very low price.
The Hudson Bay Company have had a long
and successful run. The sea otter has been
sold at fabulous prices. Among the furs most
abundant in this traffic are those of the Fox
IN its different species, and under its different
names Some of these are very precious. The
piack fox is the most valuable. There are
lound the wolverine, the lynx, the black bear,
.he brown and the polar. This latter animal
caves a footprint in the SHOWS nine inches
'ons. lie has recently been found on Behring
o'faitS' although it is said that he never made
niS appearance west of the Mackenzie River.
Inc pea'er and seal are fosnd in this reyion.
Ihe sea Dear OF ursine seal, the sea lion and
the elephant seal, are all formidable ANIMALS.
The fisheries on this coast are the most inn
portant of any thing thus far named. Even
the sea often falls below this fish, and Mr..
Sumner asks: "What even are sea otter skins
by the side of product of the sea, incalcula-
bic in amount, which contributes to the suste-
nance of the human family? Fish are taken
in great abundance everywhere on the coast,
around the islands, and in the bays and rivers.
testimony of all the early navigators goes to
show that fish of various kinds are abundant
and valuable, and we have no reason to doubt
that fish will not only supply the wants OF
those who reside on this territory, but also be-
come great article of commerce. The salmon
,x,f hos Nha nd
this, and hence their movements to accomplish
this purchase. All the fish in this high
northern latitude are of excellent quality
Cod and haEbut too are abundant in these
waters, and in this connection we may speak
Of the whale and the walrus The truth IL,
these fisheries are of incalculable value SAYS
Portlock in his report of 1887 "The seine was
frequently hauled, and not less than two
thousand salmon caught at each haul" Mar
ohand, French navigator, says he found the
sea and the rivers abounding in excellent fish,
particularly salmon and trout. Northern New
York, New Hampshire and Maine will have to
yield the palm to Russian America, and we ex-
pect to hear before long that some of our most
scientific anglers will be throwing the fly in
this region. In Kamtschatka there is species
of salmon between four and five feet long, and
the salmon on the Pacific coast in those high
northern latitudes are much larger than any
ever caught in Maine. Who can describe the
thrilling sensations of the angler when he has
fifty FOUNDER struggling at the end of his line
for longer life in the pure waters OF the Pa
ciic? But let that pass. All the ancient nav
igators and all the recent visitors to Russian
America concur in the opinion that fish are
very abundant, and will become great article
OF trade A citizen OF Massachusetts returned
from prolonged residence on this coast, says,
"The wha' Q and cod fisheries of the North Pa
cific are destined to form very important ell
ement in the wealth of California and WASH
ington territory, and already numbers of fish
ermen are engaged there and more are going"
So much for these fisheries, and as King James
once said: $50 God have my soul, tits an hon
est trade and the apostles own calling"
The minerals of this region are no doubt val
liable. Among them there are coal, copper, If
not iron, silver, lead and gold, besides the two
great pro lucts Of New England granite and
ice." Mr.. Sumner in closing his speech re-
cOmmends the survey of the extended and in
dented coast by our own officers, bringing it
within the domain of science and assuring to
navigation much-needed assistance. He closes
his speech with the following words:
But your best work and most important
endowment will be the Republican Govern
ment, which, looking to q long future, you will
organize with schools free to All and with equal
laws, before which every citizen will stand
erect in the consciousness OF manhood. Here
will be "a motive power, without which Coal 1T
self will be insu1IicIent. Here Will be q source
OF wealth IleXlauStIDIe than Fish
cries. Bestow such government, and you
will bestow what Is better than all you can re-
eeive, whether qulntals of tisn, sands Of gold,
choicest fur, or most beautiful IVORY.