, 1875-02-13
CIV[LIITNG ALASKA.
Statement OF ihe Nscd Of shG Natives
--AHDut Twenty Thollsnnd Soula
Wanting Nlissiunnries md IchcIlera

4 BtatcEucnt OF the Nscd OF sho Natives
--About Twenty Thousand Sonls
Wanting Hlissiunnries md Teachers
Mo Need OF Troops.
PORTLAND. Ore, Jan. 81, 1875.-DEAh Sin: In
September last {ls74> / called together At Fort
UrAngel meotlug Of the Chiefs and the
loading hcads ii fanoslias who were
nssembled for trade and other. plr
suits connected with transportation to the
Casslslar, by way Of the ssickeen Nl.er. At the
snabtng. from what app1osimated by varions
reports from Bll tho accessible SOURCES, infer
that tho native aboriginal Inhabitants wore about
%, 900 eouls' extending to o. tcgrees 40 minutes
the shores, upon Islands, estua1ies. ETC., in
localities boat sdapted to their special pursuits,
iinhsnH, hunting, fa1.tradinE, eto. The ehiefs
and other. present y the meeting purported
10 represent about 600 souls. They volunteered
the offer That II teachers. nptstors, etc., were
se1.t to instruct them tlcy would build churches
and sohool-houaea at their own cost and labor
which thoy arc competent to do, 40 they ara all
expert IL log archtectnro on primitive priuo..
pies. They have long, boon. envton. Of
their reighbors on tho Bfitah side Of tho line,
At Fort Simpson, known ~ tho Metin Khtla
tribe, who haye advanced IN civilized habits
ant rnisa[ouarios quito up to tho standard Of tho
older Christian communities OF the 4oacoasts.
They have q church. dci,oot-houso. etc., all
oroctod by Indian labor, and now have native
pastors md school.taaehess seysra,lY inlnsster-
Ing to them. Tho assembled chiefs requested
| mo to prepare potitsun for them to
tho Great Father &t Washington, 70
| Which thoy attuchod their signs manual,
| asking FOR ministers and sehool.tonchors to be
sent among them. This posltlon was placed In
tl.s hands OF Mai. NJ. 7. Borrg, Collector at
Bitka, autl, auppuHa, has reached tho President
| before uow.
II Government and missionary aid IL extended
toward tho people for civiliziug purpoaos 1t
| should bo in form eonIowl,at mnditod IRON tho
| formula now In use by tbs indian Department.
Thoro should bo no attempt mAdo to agRre-
| gate thom on reservations mar to ohRnRo thnir
pursuits, but only to increane thor industries.
| They have AireaAv utilized the olluato and to.
| poEraphy by the selection Ut village Bites were
fur trading, !lrhug. hunting, atc, Call bs 1nost
ndYantsYoouHly co4duutotl All tue troops might,
untor ntch cireNnssaueea, ba Withdrawn from
| Stka, and q reyGnne cutter to cruise along tho
conss, calling from time to time at the several
yilago stations, a. the british now hayo tho
eeryice Gil tleir aidc Of tho line atnong
the ssma people. would luep smuggling
ip bcttor check than now, ro,triut tbs
whisky traffic BY tho coastinE schoonrrs now IN
Tho btiHlnetk, Ard innuTe gnod ort1er, eGMs! nr
bsttor than at present. Tho two compnuioB OF
artillery ut EtkA have no influence MiIo beyouli
theif parade gronMti, aud 10 far AZ oxerting .
police influence over tho Territory they would
be equally enocttyo 5,ouo miles distant. Youra
respectfully, IoNN 4. CAnM,
Deputy Collector at rnsnge' Aaaku Tsrsitosy.
To thu lnn. K. L. nttht Commissioner Of 1ndian At
| fAtrs W&BhfIgtpn, b. O.