The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-01-30
Alaska and its Fur Trade.

Henry W. Elliott, special agent Of the
Treasury Department, has submitted to
the Secretary Of the Treasury his report
upon the condition and importance Of the
iur trade in the Territory of Alaska, the
present condition of the seal fisheries Of
Alaska, the haunts and habits of the SEAL
the preservation and extension of the FISH
cries as q source of revenue to the United
States, with like information respecting
the fur-bearing animals Of Alaska gener-
ally, the statistics of the fur trade, and
the cez1iiion Of the people or natives, es
pecially those upon whom the successful
prosecution Of the fisheries and fur trade is
dependent
The first measure suggested by the in.
vestigation Of Mr.. Elliott was one of
change and reform in the present shad-
owy government of the Territory. 1t is
not Intended to waste time and money as
matters are now conducted, when the same
annual expenditure would give prompt aud
effective supervision on the part of the
government over its now sadly neglected
interest 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 ignorance prevailing
in the United States at the time of the
transfer in regard to the form of govern
ment needed, aud since then no one seems
to have taken any intelligent or active in
tertst in the matter.
The pecuniary value Of the fur seal in-
terests Of the government renders it high
ly important that the Treasury Depart
mmt, now intrusted with its care and
supervision, should possess definite and
authoritative information as to its proper
management for its perpetuation in its or
isinal integrity, at least. Mr.. Elliott calls
attention especially to the accompanying
report upon the subject, which embodies
the results of three seasons, close personal
observation and research on the ground,
with maps and illustrations.
In connection with the condition of the
natives of the Territory. on whom the sue
c,ssful prosecution of the fur trade is de.
pendent, he has been led into a very care
f'l study of the history and habits of the
sea otter in this country, to the successful
htnting of which between four and five
thousand Christian Aleutians and Kodia-
kers look for means of livelihood. Since
INV 'raieier firaarms, formerly prescribed.
have been introduced among the sea Utte1
hunters. This, in combination with the
kecrst rivalry of opposition traders, makes
it ohy question of very short time ere
these valuable and interesting animals are
exteminated, on the existence Of which
so m,ny christianizcd natives are totally
depeident for all of the comforts, and
many even of the necessities of semi
civilized life. The remedy for this is a
very simple and effective one, which Mr.
Elliott discusses, under the head Of the
sea ,tter and its hunters.
L will be seen from the report that
Mr.. Elliott has given the Yukon, Aleu-
tian and Silkian sections close attention,
having yet to more fully examine the Ko-
diak, Cooks Inlet and Copper River Dis
tricls; that he has, in connection with
Lieutenant Washbun Maynard, United
States Navy, his associate, during the past
season carefully resuryeyed the area and
position of the breeding grounds of the fur
seal on the Pribiloo Islands. They sur
yeyed st. Matthews Island, which is con-
tiguous, and was entirely unknown and
uninhabited, in order to settle the ques-
ton so frequently asked, and to which no
definite reply could be given, as to wheth-
er or not it was suitable ground for fur
seals to land upon and breed, should these
animals ever become dissatisfied with their
present locality, and he has compiled from
Russian and other authorities facts and
statistics as to the extent of the fur trade
in the early days Of the Territory, so as to
compare with the condition of this bust
ness at the present day, as he obtained
it from traders and agents in the country
generally. The remarkable increase in
the catch Of fur-bearing animals since the
change Of ownership Of the country is most
striking, but in perfect harmony with the
strong contrast between the indolent, make
thrift management of the Russian-Ameri-
can Fur Company in the latter times and
that of energetic men.
The extrayagant statements which have
been made in regard to the resources of
the Territory, which, on the one hand
were true, would fit it for the future re-
ception of highly civilized population,
while on the other it would be made land
of utter desolation, worthless, aud an en-
tire loss Of seven millions of purchase
money, besides being burden to the gem
eral government. These announcements,
so often made and reiterated throughout
our country, have caused Mr.. Elliott to pay
great attention to the subject, and in his
report he has endeavored to give concise
description of the agricultural character Of
the Territory as he has seen it, in saying
that there are more acres Of better land
now in sight on the mountain tops Of the
Alleghanies from the car windows Of the
Pennsylvania road than can be found in
all Alaska and when II is remembered
that this land will in the heart Of one Of
our oldest and most thickly populated
"a =. Il