The New York herald., 1876-03-16
More Light on the Famous
Fur Company.
U-SHCRGTARIES OF THE TREASURY INVOLVED
Startling Extracts from Ofti-
cial Documents.
MONOPOLISTS AND F0RTUNE-MAKING.

'The mills OF the gods grind slowly, but they grind
exceedingly sure and with the evildoer whatever his
station or crime, exposure, disgrace aud punishment
Is mere question OF time While the terrible story
OF Beiknap's downfall must make every lover OF his
country blush with shame, there be regret at a
discovery which is certain 10 have grand moral effect
1t is the immunity from punishment which leads to
the increase OF crime Now that we have touched Il
sink OF corruption let probe it to the bottom re-
gardless of sentiment and persons and let at least
be said OF US that not ashamed TO expose the
faults of our government deferred by the foolish
Tear oil bringing disgrace on the national name
from dragging into the light the crimes OF our officials
and properly punishing them. We are standing merely
on the threshold and the preservation OF our honor as
n nation demands that should not shrink from the
sad but imperative duty before us
The HERALD of January 70 ult contained the follow
Ing editorial-
CORRUPTION IN ALASKA.
The documents quoted from ana commented on in an
article columns carry such implications
the character OF high public officers cannot escape
the notice and Investigation OF Congress. General ..
o. Howard commanding the Department OF Columbia
went tour OF inspection TO Alaska last summer,
aud IN hls report to the Secretary OF War he makes
revelation of facts which, substantated must dam
age the reputation OF Mr Boutwell, aud Mr. Richardson,
late Secretaries OF the Treasury aud persons who
stood IN nearer relations to the White House The sub
OF the charge is that monopoly OF the fur trade
was awarded to the Alaska Commercial Company Tor
rental OF S65 600 although responsible combination
privilege. Let the fullest light be poured tins trans
action.
1t is proposed in this letter pour light this
transaction. The statements here made are derived
from the best ces, namely olhc!al documents and
the evidence OF and interviews had with the parties
who literally robbed of their rights. But first
few words to the parties holding the lease The fol-
lowing account is CONDENSED from pamphlet published
in 1875 by the AnlMonopoly Association OF the Pacific
Coast:-"rhe wrong that has been done great the
violation OF the principles OF repubicanism and the
constitution OF the United States fragrant and the
corruption that has been connected with tins disgrace
ful affair SO glaring, that the circumstances
we'll known throughout America they
TO people the Pacific coast, IL would
have been struck down long ago and
would have shared the fate of the Credit Mobilier
Previous to its purchase by the United States the
Russo-American Company held undsputed sway
Alaska At the time OF the transfer the company had
large amount oil property which had to be sold and
Prince Maksoutof was ntrustcd with the business
The purchasers were Hutchinson, Kohl Co., who
stockholders OF the Alaska Commercial Com
pany. The accounts of the Russian Company being
somewhat obscure to the Americans, Prince Maksouof
claimed nearly ali the government buildings
as company property, and delivered them
to Hutchinson, Kohl X Co., and thus tho
government had frequently to buy back what already
belonged to it. These things happened during the
years 1867 and 1858 1t also about this that
Hutchinson, Kohl K Co.'s steamer, Filehter which
English vessel, was fraudulenty brought under
The American ntg under the assistance Of Collector
Dodge, ut Sltka for which she has since been con.
6scaied by the government Hutchinson, Kohl 4 Co.,
aiming TO monopoize tho entire Territory OF Alaska
and being unable by fair means to crush the other
traders engaged in the Territory, resorted to corrup-
ton and it was principally through the assistance of
accomplished. The jealous revenue officials in
their favor were ". 5 Dodge, Collector at stka;
Samuel Faconer, Acting Collector at stka afterward
In the employ OF Hutchinson Kohl 4 Co. H. II.
Mcintyre specia. agent OF the Treasury Department
QsI5l general agent Of Hutchinson, Kohl h Co.,
or the Alaska Commercial Company; William Kassus,
Collector OF Sitka attcrward general agent OF Hutcnn-
sou, Kohl Co., or the Alaska Commercial Company;
General John Miller, Collector OF San Francisco,
President OF the Alaska Commercial Company, and
several others With their aid Hutchinson kon & Co.
managed to break up u enterprises adverse to them
and 10 ruin owners and shareholders.
MOST NOTORIOUS CAsEs
Is that OF the ship Cnsarowitch, which on March "a
1869 was seized by Collector Falconer at stka and
back 10 San Francisco in charge os a lieu.
tenant OF the revenue cutter Reliance She arrived
San Francisco April is, the heard in the Dis
trct Court April 20 and at once dismissed and few
days later the good ship again on her way to
Alaska The damage done TO the owners by this little
trick estimated by outsiders ut least 500 0OO
and the former commenced suit against the govern.
ment for double that amount This little affair broke
received profitable situation with hutchinson
Kohl & Co. as "a reward for his services
The cases Of the General Harney, the steamer John
l. Stephens, the Lewis Perry, the Alaska and other
vessels all OF a similar Kind and against none of
lhem could a case be made out
But while Hutchinson. Kohl 4 Co.'s ships went
always scot free 1t must not be supposed that their
disturbed holds never coniaed any of the conraband
articles the contrary. arms. ammunition and liquor
reached their stations aIcpGaGec anu they openly
aauntcd IN the faces Of their rivals the advantages
which they enjoyed
our space permits us not TO refer TO all cases and in.
cidents which We have recorded In connection with
these matters but viii briefly relate occurrence
which particularly illustrates 10 what members the
firm ef Hutchinson Kohl Co. stopped to inJure those
VINO traded IN Alaska
In the spring OF 1865 the steamer Constantine be-
longing 10 Hutchinson, Kohl CO., sailed from Ska
10 Victoria carrying number OF passengers and some
freight among the latter several lots OF furs belonging
TO traders at Sitka.
when the steamer reached Plumpcr Pass not far
from Victoria, she struck upon rock and Knocked
hole IN her bottom but sustained no serious damage
as she lay calm river like channel high out OF The
water and had settled down on the reef on even
keel and In easy position. The passengers OF
whom were ladies, remained on board t assistance
came from Victoria The ship. too, was baulcd on
alter few days. aud she soon good as ever.
But some OF the members OF Hutchinson Kohl X Co,
who had been on board and who were Victoria
asserted that most OF the freight, aud especially the
skins, which had value OF about IS. coo to $40 COO
had been lost and IN spite OF numerous protests OF the
owners. asserted that nothing had been saved Mr. d.
schirpser. who had shipped lot OF tue skins, and
Captain Kohl. Mr. Hutchinson and Mr.. Boscoviich all
members Of the urn, and hnay gave up all hope OF
recovering his property
But day. when Mr. Schirpser managed to get into
the back yard OF Mr.. Boscoyitch, who had a tobacco
business az Victoria ne there discovered ms casks
packages % Iurs. stl having his on them
slowed away under a shed Mr. Schirpscr had Mr.
Hutchinson Immediately arrested, who had To give
bonds to OF $40 0O0; hut he aftorward
cludcd to have the brought before the Of
San Francisco; and while he was on his way down,
Boscovich iceEraphed to the company, and they I'M
nediaiely settled with Mr. Martin partner OF Nr.
schrpser. in san FranclscO who had heard Of the
srcck; but knew no details ior about quarter 90
hc value NJ the SKINS and when Mr. rchirpser himself
arrived he found his way 10 justice cut OF.
Ia ls6S II became evident that Hutchinson, Kohl
Co. not oaly controlled the officers IN Alaska
and The collector OF the port of san Francisco. VINO Is
now President Of the Alaska Commercial Company,
but that they also gained great influence IN
Waehiuoton. anc hain MI IN