The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-25
AQUEER REGION.
Alaska and its Inhabitants.

The report of General Thomas concerning
ths erritory of Alaska and its inhabitants hu-
maA and pnocan, contains the following inter-
estiag facts:
The Aleuts, though strict members, Of the
Greek Church, seem to have no control over
their passions for ardent spirits, nor correct
ideas In regard to chastity consequently tne
effects Of contact with the Americans are all-
parent. as diseases are common, and there are
scarcely any male, or female, who will not get
Intoxicated if they have the opportunity the
first thing they ask for is whisky. believe
much good might be done If one or two relia-
BILE persons could be appointed to live among
them as superintendents. sue II OF So0u
Character. would have great influence, as the
Aleuts have great respect for authority: 10
the credit of the people Of Kenay and the
islands of ST. George and st. Paul, must say
saw no evidence OF dissipation among then,
due. no doubt, to their isolation, though was
informed they were liable to the irallty OF tielr
race If inducements were offered. They I'M
pressed me with their intelligence and honesty;
many of the men are skilful mechanics. and
their skin boats are creditable as mouelS Oh
grace and strength.
On St. Paul and st. George only are the fur
bearing seal found, and are killed for their
furs and OIL The habits Of these animals are
peculiar. About the last OF April or early part
M.
shore at the places freQuented by them, called
rookeries they make thorough examination
of the ground, then the great body arrive, ana
In short time all have occupied their posi-
tions. The females come up on shore ana are
collected together in communities or families,
by each one of the old seals, who possesses
sufficient powers to maintain and guard ms
family; the Young males ana supernumerary
ones are forced to take their place outside OF
thearea occupied by the families, and if they
attempt to interfere with domestic arrange
ment are summarily driven OIL: In these
troubles terrible affrays occur. This arrange
ment around the rookeres makes it very easy
for the hunters to place themselves between
the families and the young males, from whom
only the skin are taken, which, when tney
want to kill, they do n parties OF forty or
fifty, all armed with clubs. They get between
the families and the young males, then drive
them inland some two or three miles distant.
letting all not wanted for slaughter drop out
BY the way these return to the rookeries.
Alter getting only as many as they can skin
and salt in one day to the proper places. they
are killed by striking the noses OF the animals
with the clubs. The next day Is devoted TO
packing. BY this means the families are moi
disturbed. and remain to rear their young. AS
Ar as can Judge, the business OF the old males
Is to compel the females to take care of their
Young until they have grown sufficiently to
take care Of themselves; they then appear to
give up all control over the females, VINO are
permitted to leave their young and go into the
water, the old male still guarding and over
looking the young. In September all are per
mitted to go into the water, where they sport
during the day, coming on shore IN the even
ing. At this period, all move further Inland
and mingle together Unfortunately. If the
autumn continues mild, they remain on the
islands till the latter part of October, when
they disappear very suddenly, and have been
seen going through the passes between the
Aieutian Islands, in southerly direction.
Nothing more of them Is seen until next
spring, neither is 1t known where they pass
the winter. The number Of seals on the Island
can only be estimated. In the height OF the
season, after the young are born, they are
estimated all the way from five 10 fifteen mil
lions but they are countless, covering hum
dreds of acres, like sheep in pen. The habits
of these animals are such, that II permitted 10
be hunted at random they would be soon dri-
enfrom the islands. This has been proved
by the Russians, who totally destroyed some
rookeries before they knew how to treat them
Ifit Is desirable to perpetuate the fur-bear1ng
seal, one or two plans should be adopted. One
is to confine the killing to the natives, per-
mitting none but authorized agents OF the gov
ernment to live on the islands, and permit
traders to pu chase only after the skins have
been prepared md the seals have LETT Tor the
south. This CT urse would necessitate the sta
tiOning of an agent on each Of the Islands, TO
guard the interests of the government, and
prevent the decentralization Of the natives by
such unscrupulous traders as would not Ees-
tate to furnish them with liquor for the pur-
pose of cheating them.