New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-23
The Resources Of Alaska

special to the Chicago Ttihnnc:
The Secretary of War has sent to Con
gress three reports Oh tie condition Oh
Alaska: one by Major John G. Tidball:
second 10y Major +. II. LuddinGton, ANA the
third the census returns OF tie Territory.
With regard to the resources OF the country.
Major Luddingtou says they consist almost
entirely of three articles: fur. fish and
lumber The former is by far the most i'm
portant. aud 1urs are only obtained by
trading with the Indians. The supply OF
fish Is unlimited. and companies have estab-
ll~hed dcpotS at several places. where fish
are cured and packed. Indians doing the
work. The timber is very valuable, but so
far from market as not to he available.
lhe agricultural resources are very >rant.
With great care. II few potatoes. tul-
hlpS and radlSheS have been grow L.
1t is said that there are places i'll the in
terror where grain can be raised. but this
Is not certainly y known. Settlements are tar
and distant from each other. There are no
roads, and no available military resources.
MAJOR Huntington tnuluclates the various
tribes OF Indians. his list differing in some
respects from that obtained by Vincent
toilyer during his tour. Most Of THESE tribes
are friendly. and some of them are partly
civilized. They SuhSiSt on the profits ci the
chase. The citizens at Sitka are nov on
comparatively friendly relations with the
military. They axe described as IL low class
o1 ScrtS, OF most corrupt moral character.
The trouble formerly existing was caused.
i'll a great part. by the employment by cIti
AenS OF Interpreters VII" were personally y i'll
ttrested i'll making unfair representations
The women are represented to be degraded
by vice. and the presence OF soldiers tends
to the decentralization of both SEXES. Priests
Of the Greek Church do not do much for
the elevation of the people, as they are not
above appearing III public grossly IntoNi-
Gated.
The Russian inhabitants are anxious to
be transferred to some portion of the czar's :
domnion>. and Major Luddington thinks ii
would he better for all parties if they We're
sent away. Major Iidhall gives. i'll his re
port. some interesting statistics touching
the industries Of the country. Salmon is
the principal fish taken. and of these 100
barrels were taken. with nets, around Sitlla
bay last wear. and 100 barrels around
Prince of Wales Island Arrangements
have been made to take 1000 barrels III the
latter vicinity next wear. The fish is worth
6 per barrel. or Sl4.ioo for the wears
work. In addition Ia this. the fisheries
yielded 1000 gallons OF seal and dogtish oil.
worth S24O0. The salmon fisheries are mex
lauStble. The fur trade has decreased
every year since the United States occupa-
tion. During the first year of American
rule this trade amounted to S:}1 1,0uo. during
the second year 10000 and last year less
than 10000 The cau>,. o.. this decline is
the better prices which the Hudson BAY
Company pay the Indians for skins.
The cost ot occupation by the United
States Is Sl:}>N Il month. besides supplies.
and is divided a> follows: Army. $500:
navy. $3.50: revenue cutter. s2-oU custom
house. 500. Mayor Tidball reports that
there are but Two X intl- OF timber in the