The New York herald., 1870-04-13
TEE YUKON RIVER, ALASKA.
Lecture by Captain Raymond, United State,
EUQiDeera.

Lecture by Captain Raymond, United States
Engineers.
The American Geographical and Statistical Society
held It's usual monthly meeting last evening at their
rooms IN the Cooper Institute, President Charles p
DAILY In the chair. The council reported resolution
recommending DIR. Hayes TO Congress for q new
Arctic expedition. A large number Of new men,
bers were elected The treasurer reported balance
in the treasury Of $782 10. The librarian reported
400 additions to the library. Among the donors were
mentioned several scientific societies from abroad
ana large number OF private gentlemen.
Captain Charles w. Raymond, of the United States
Corps Of Engineers. was then introduced, and read
paper on the extent ana ramihcations of the Yukon
river. in Alaska Territory, aud the general
features of recent acquisition. The Captain be-
gan with an account OF the appearance OF the natives
and their manners on his arrival at st. Michaels.
Judging from the description, those interesting aD0-
rigines will make quite q unique addition to our
voting population In reference to the Esqulmaux
dog it Is asserted that he Is not only cowardy
and sneakng, but that when no food can be
mad he makes quite satisfactory meal out
OF mans only pair Of boots. The captain aud his
visions, started up the river IN small steamer
called the Yukon. journey OF over seven days
river Is very torsuOus and filled with sandbars They
passed many Indian villages. The natives live al.
most wholly on fish, but they were not noticed for
that intellectual development which Is sup
posed to accompany TINS pnosphorescent diet.
They are very harmless, 1amblike, lazy
ana puslllanmous set OF people, The river aver
ages about two miles In width; the right oank, gen.
orally speaking, Is high, tile left low and sandy.
Owing to the coldncss OF the climate the timber on
the hill sides does not attain even medium size.
The absence OF superstition among the natives was
something remarkable; but the tenets OF the
Christian iath taught by RusscG2eek missionaries,
cannot be said 70 have taken snuch hold OF the
native mind. On that part Of tbe river near Fort
Yukon game was abundant and the appearance OF
the country rather favorable. After determining
the Typographical limits OF Alaska ON the
British Canadian side the party ran up
the American nag ana wnistled Yankee
Doodle Taxing general view Of the Indians they
discovered That the further they from the coast
the better became the character OF the people, They
spent month at Fort Yukon, and had good time
hunting and fishing when not otherwise engaged
The journey back to Sc. Mchaels OF over 140o miles,
was filed with adventure. They had to abandon
their boat at one point OF the river owing TO its
shalowness, and to strike across the country, over
hills ranging from 800 TO 1000 feet high, and nnally
struck the coast and reached their ship at st; MI
chacls In answer to the question as TO what Alaska
Is WORTH he would say that IN o pecuniary point OF
view It VIII hardly pay, but from poitcai stand.
point IT may be looked upon a. the entering Wedge
to our acquisition Of oil the land north OF US