The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-01-21
ALASKA.
Report Of a Government Special Agent
Its Fisheries. It's Land, and
It's Ores.

Secretary of the Treasury his report up
on the condition and importance of the
fur trade III the Territory of Alaska, the
haunts and habits of the fisheries as q
source of revenue TO the United States,
with like information respecting the fur
bearing animals Of Alaska generally, the
statistics Of the fur. trade, and the con-
dition of the people or natives, especial
ly those upon whom the successful pro-
secution of the fisheries and fur trade is
dependent.
The first measure suggested by the
investigation of Mr.. Elliott this season
was one of change and reform in the
present shadowy Government of the
Territory 1t was not intended to waste
time and money as matters are now
conducted, when the same annual ex-
penditure would give prompt and effec-
tive supervision on the part Of the Gev-
ernm9nt over its now sadly neglected in
terests in the Territory. This mistake
IN the Government as it now exists in
Alaska is not attributable to any other
cause than that of the universal and
special Ignorance prevailing in the Unit
ed States at the time Of the transfer, in
regard to the form of government need
ed, and since then no one seems TO have
taken any intelligent or active interest
in the matter. The pecuniary value of
the fur-seal interests of the Government
renders If highly important that the
Treasury Department, now intrusted
with its care and supervision, should
possess definite and authoritative in
formation as to the proper management
for its perpetuation in its original lnteg-
ritY at least. Mr. Elliott calls attention
especially to the accompanying report
upon the subject which embodies the re-
suits of three seasons OF close personal
observation and research on Jhe ground,
with maps and illustrations. In cOnnec-
ton with the condition Of the natives Of
the Territory, on whom the successful
prosecution OF the fur trade is depen-
dent, he has been led into very care
full study OF the history and habits of
the sea-Otter in this country, to the
successful hunting Of which be-
tween four and five thousand Christian
Aleutians and Kodiakers look for a
means Of livelihood. Since the transfer
Of the Territory firearms, formerly pro
scribed have been introduced among the
otter-hunters. This, III combination
with the keenest rivalry OF opposition
traders, makes it only a question Of
very short time at which these valuable
and interesting animals shall be EXTERN
mated, although, on their existence, SO
many Christianized natives are totally
for all the comforts and many
even OF the necessities of semi-civiliz-
ed life. The remedy for this, Mr.. ELI
Oft says, is a very simple and effective
one, and he discusses it under the head
of the sea-otter and its hunters.
The report shows that Mr.. Elliott has
given the Yukon, Aleutian, and SiEkan
sections close attention, leaving the full
Ter examination of the Kodiak, Cooks
Inlet, and Copper River districts to the
future; and that he has, in connection
with Lieut.. Washburn Maynard, Unit
ted States Navy, his associate during the
past season, carefully resrlrveyed the
area and position of the breeding
grounds Of the fur-seal on the Prybilor
Islands. They surveyed st. Matthews
Island, which is contiguous, and was en-
tirely unknown and uninhabited, III ord
e. to settle the question so frequently
asked, and to which no definite reply
could be given, whether or not it was
suitable ground for fur-seals to land up.
on and breed, should these animals ever
become dissatisfied with their present
locality; and he has compiled from Rus
sian and other authorities facts and
statistics as to the extent of the fur
trade in the early days of the Territory,
50 as to compare with the condition Of
this business at present, as he obtained
it from traders and agents in the coun-
try generally. The remarkable increase
IN the catch of fur bearing animals since
the change of ownership of the country
is most striking, but is in perfect har-
mony with the strong contrast between
the indolent mahe-shift management of
the Russian-American Fur Company in
the latter time and that Of our energetic,
economical traders.
The extravagant statements which
Of the Territory, which, If true, would
either prove its fitness for the future re-
ception Of a highly-civilized population
ton, and the ST, 900, 900 purchase money
have caused Mr.. Elliott to pay great at
tention to the subject; and in his report
he has endeavored to give concise de-
scription of the agricultural character Of
the Territory as he has seen it. This,
nS say -, IIiSIlU Dt III UGil1j lilly Suuuu1eu up
in saying that there are more acres of
better land now lying a wilderness and
jungle in sight of the car-windows Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad while cross
ing the Alleghanies, than can be found
in all Alaska; ''and when it is remem-
bered," he says, ''that this Pennsylvania
land, In the heart of one of our Oldest
and most thickly populated States, will
remain as it now is, cheap and undis-
trlrbed for an indefinite time, in spite of
its close proximity to the homes of NIL
lions of energetic and enterprising men,
it is not difficult to estimate the value Of
the Alaska acres, remote as they are and
barred out by most disagreeable sea-
coast climate. leaving out altogether the
great West and vast agricultural regions
of British America. But then, directly
to the contrary, it would be wrong to
hint by this statement, true as it is, that
the country is worthless; for in the Seal