, 1873-01-24

| 1Q6 COMPANY Is MAKING money. QQt the QeFel-
! opment OF Alaska ia retarded
! The Territory produces some Of the finest fura
in the world, and in great abundance; but they
do not form it's only resource. It's waters
! SWARM WITH FISH
| Of many kinds. Cod arc very abundant among
! the Shumagin and Aleutian Islands, aud proba-
| bly, in other places. The fish compare favorably
with those Of the Atlantic coast. Cod fishing
I has been carried on among the Shumagin Islands
for several years pAst. but tho fishing feet il
small Last summon there wero only eight Of
ten vessels There would be many more we're it
nos that Pacifc-Coast people have strange
prejudice against Pacific iah- It is hard to say
what is the foundation Of this prejudice, for We
! packed and marked as Atlantic fah, they readily
sellin tho San Trancsco narlet without detection.
Salmon are exceedingly common, and. in the
months Of June and July, they ara 80 packed in
the mouths Of the freah-water streams that they
can be conveniently thrown out On shore with m
oar or boat-hook. Salmon forms the chief ar
ticie Of diet Of the natives. Trout herring,
hnlibut, and founders, With numerous other fac
| species, many OF which are peculiar to the Ter
rltofy, arc very plentiful, but are not ished for
i TIE OTHER RESOURCES
OF the Territory are but little developed yet.
Every one has heard Of ita magnificent timber,
specially good for ship-builling or spars. It
| possesses the precious metals, the common
orsB, and coal. Its mineral resources are doubt
less not SO great as those of California, Utah,
| or Nora3a. but they are there, and haye all the
magnificent possibilities OF the unknown. The
coal il soft one, properly Ignite, and is quite
as good any OF the Pacihc-C Coast Goals, but, Of
course, will not compare With those Of Pennsy1-
Tania-
Some time, when the fsherie5 of the Territory
arc developed, and it supports hardy raee OF
fishermen along its shores, there will also be
CONSIDERABLE AGRICULTURAL POPULATION
along the south coast. The soils very often
of volcanic origin, and, like all others Of its
kind, rich and warm. Tho climate ia as favor
ablo as North Scotland and the adjacent
succeed in raising radishes, turnips, potatoes,
and apples. Whero they can do that, q careful,
industrious Yankee eau raise the most OF tho
garden-vegetables aud many grains and fruits.
Tho Aeutian Islands are particularly adapted to
grazing. Their grasses are luxuriant. The
winters are SO mild that the only care cattlo
womb require would be protection from the vet
storms.
The natives and residents generally
HAVE NOT GAINED
By the transfer from Russian into American
hauds. The Aleuts Iook back to the time of tho
Russian occupation az their pa1my days. The
Russo-American Government held its Lease OF
the Territory at the pleasure Of the Emperor,
and exercised pate,nal care over its war1s. There
we're schools at the principal stations, and an
academy at New Archangel. Many natives were
wall educated without leaving the Territory, aud
promising children were sent to St. Petersburg
Tor an education. New Archangel WIS Hour
ishiug little city: and, for Ruaainn town, moral.
Now, the American Commercial Company holds
its lease for limited number Of years, and OF
course will make as much money as possible in
that time. It naturally cares little for the con-
diton Of the natives after its lease has expired,
provided they are good fur-huntcrs up to that
time. Middle-aged Aleuts, born aud bred in
Russian times, can usually read and write. NOW,
very few Of the rising generation can write their
names. Sitka is now small, decaying village. !
OF scarcely Thousand inhabitants, and probably |
tho wickedcst little place On the footstool
Drunkenness and debauchery run riot there.
Other settlements hare also dwindlcd in popu1a-
ton. |
There is much that can be said
FoR AND AGAINST !
Alaska rs an Investment. We know the character |
Of it's RESOURCES, but the extent OF many Of |
Them is not yet determined. Further e1p1ora- !
lion is needed and la, in fact, now in .progreas !
ander direction Of our excellent Coast Survey. |
The exploring party is in the charge Of Captain
William n. Dali, than whom no one is better
posted with regard to our new Territory. II !
many excellent harbors, fine hsheries timber,
md furs, with probable great mineral wealth,
md limited capacity for agriculture, can mako
great State Alaska must in. time become
)ne. II. ". Il.