The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-26
Our Northern Possessions.

National Associated Press to the star.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.-The follow
ing interest ting report is just received at
the Treasury Department:
U. S. REVENUE MARINE STEAMER
7. CoRwIN, Pr. TOWNSEND, W. T..
Sept II, 1877.
Hon. John sherman, Secretary of Treasury,
Washington:
SIR-AfLer forwarding my report from
S.tka, dared August IL, by the mail
steamer California, l remained at that
place until the 10Th, and tnen proceeded
10 visit variou, tribes north and east,
VIZ: the Hoovers, Chilkarts, Orks, Tar
kvus, Kikas and Hoots Nations, en-
braclng dis ance OF nearly five
hundred miles, returning on the 27tn.
In SItka we found the people
of the aboye-named tribes engaged in
trading, hunti'g and preparing fish for
selves as friendly 10 the whites. They
are also at peace among themselves,
which has not been the case for many
years past. AT several places, parttcu-
iarly az like, tney were shy of the ap-
proaching vessel until luily assured OF
our friendly intentions. The cause Of
this lear l soon learned was from a
belief, widely circulated among them,
that the Government was not satls-
fed with the punishment already in.
1icted on them BY the burning of
lheir villages some years since, but III
tended to carry it further. L saw no
Drunkenness while there, but their
thrift and industry was very cOnsldera-
| Bile. Taking all these Indians as body,
living as they do, upon tue sea coast, IN
| ,lNr. f,f n
er communicaIlon trail canoes, one
armed vessel is capable Of intlict.
ing irreparable loss and destruc ion
upon tnem. 1t seems to me
that the natives, in self inter
est, would compel their friendship
for the white man, especially, too, as
| their intercourse with HIM has begOtten
wants which are fast becoming part OF
their nature, and which trade with the
white man only can supply. 1u few
twords, the trade Of the white man ia
last becoming a necessity, and l am
convinced that the presence OF this Yes'
sci has very excellent moral effect, as
numerous inquiries were male by
the natives as 10 when we wanted to re.
turn among them, and l purposely LEFT
the impression that they need not be
surprised at seeing gun-boat at any
time as this Government intended tc
Keep peace in the country. Returning
| TO Sitka without having addressed the
people there of my intention to do g.
we found everything as quiet AMI peace
full as when we LETT, save the usua
drunkenness and decentralization as be
lore reported.
The Patent Office Fire.
Propo sails are asked by advertise
ment for rebuilding the roof of the
Patent office from plans prepared BY
Architect lark. The origin OF the fire
still remains a mystery. Secretar!
Scnurz has decided TO have a thorough
investigation ma te Immediately. Tue
damage 10 the building is now esIim t ID
to be in the neighDornood Of 81 100000
The President and Party
arrived here last evening, direct from
Charlottesville, Va.
Underground Telegraph i'm Ger.
| many.
| The Consul General of the UniteC
States at Frank ki0rt-oI-lhe-M Main info m
ihe Department OF State that an under.
ground cable has been laid rom MAY
ence to Berlin via Cassel and Frankfort
o. -the-Maln, and from Berlin TO Ham
burg, to be probably extended from the
latter olty TO Klel. 1t is the intention o
The Government 10 connect all The priE'
cipal cities of the Empire by unde!
ground cable. II is said that the undei
ground wires do not work as well as
lnose overground, but that they are
gradually improving under experiments
with new aud better instruments. Very
little Information can be obtained rela
tive to this subject, but the only infer
ence to be drawn from the determination
OF the Government TO extend the under
ground system is belief on the part 0
the Government in its superiority to the
IoYerprOunl wires