The New York herald., 1877-07-25
w A SHIN GTON.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

wAsHlSGroS, July "a 1877.
THE ALLEGED TROUBLE WITH THE HOSTILE
INDIANS OF sIrKA-A TELEGRAM FROM sPE-
cIAL AGENT MORRIS.
Tho situation OF affairs Sitka Is believed hero
to bo critical desperate the despatch from Port
Townsend would imply. Tho Treasury Department.
received telegram to-day from Special Agent Morris,
at Port townsend confirming the HERALD's despatch
as 10 the apprehension OF danger but saying nothing
about the alleged Invasion OF the settlement by hostile
Indians The Collector OF the Port Of sitka, Mr.. NJ p
Berry, Is at Victoria, and tho Treasury De-
partment has telcgraphed him to learn how
critical tho situation really His answer can
hardly get here before tomorrow afternoon, and
meantime the marine will bo apprised
Of tho possibility OF danger aud advised be In read
to provide succor and protection should they be
needed. Under provision of the law OF the last Con-
gross SIS 600 appropriated for the support OF tho
revenue marine service IN and about Alaska, and Tho
cutter Rush sent up there. She called at
Stka aud passed 10 the Seal Islands to ascertain
tho OF certain charges that Illicit scal fishing was
being carried there to the detriment OF The inter-
OF the United States government, and 10 drive
away the interlopcrs should they prove to
be engaged in their unlawful work. From
tho Seal Islands the Rush TO como down the long
leg Of tDc 10 san FranclsCo Meantlue tneTc
is no way OF communicating with her, by mail tel
egraph, that she out OF the question as means OF
protection to tho settlers At Sitka, unless by some
chhnce her captain should direct her back over
his IRON Sitka and happen In thure ON his way
down the coast. There Is revenue cutter ut Port
Townsend but she undergoing repairs and could not
Immediately respond to an order 10 proceed TO the
point OF danger In shor the nearest assistance Is at
San Francisco where there is revenpo cutter in full
soa trim, but the voyage would take some ten dnys.
But tho Treasury authorities disposed to believe
that the reported alarm the settlement is exagger
ated 1t will be noticed that the passengers by the
steamer California which brings tho news speak OF
what happened the troops evacuated tho
piace; but this evacuation took place over month
ago-namsy, the 2lst OF June-and Collector Berry
makes Official mention oil 1t in his correspondence with
tho Treasury Department, us foliows:-
Tho United States troops formerly stationed at this
place have this day embarked board the steamer
California, the garrison being now abandoaed. The
PUBLIC property consisting OF real estate buildings
small boat two flags, 100 cords hrewoOd ainc guns,
11S pounds OF cannon powder and b46 pounds muket
powder has boon turned the treasury Depart
ment and receipted for by me as Collector of Customs
The troops went south by the steamer California,
which has evidently made another trip 10 Sitka and in
the interval OF several weeks the Indians have
than TO break into oi the abandoned bar
and to swaggor about under tho stimulus,
It Is believed, Of su,lers' and post traders
whiskey. The withdrawal Of the troops was
made In pursuance OF an arrangement Of the War De-
partmcnt with the Treasury Department and IN obc-
dlonce the necessity tho form or was under Tor cur
tailment OF expenses especially the barracks had
been accidental burned down, and would have
quired outlay OF some 900 TO roDuild. The
troops had stationed there since 1862 and had
never been called upon to Go anything, so tho War
Department deemed the experiment Of removing
them worth trying Tho expense OF maintaining
The garrison Was quite heavy, owing to the dis
tance supplies had 10 bo transported Tho
station used 10 be in the department. OF
which General 0. o. Howard is Commander-in-
chief, and was not attached to General McDowelrs
department. might be supposed from the steam CON-
munication facilities OF tho Pacific coast
The camor for protection is not thought 10 be devoid
OF Interested motives--the post traders want tho
soldiers back for the sake OF their CUSTOM further
MORE the presence Of makes the place live,
er and business more active.
The agents here in Washington of the Alaska Fur
Company say there need for soldiers. This com.
pany has ITO trading posts and has been trading with
the Indians for the past years and has never
lost man through violence at their hands or had o
trouble with the natives VINO represented to be
guiieess simple kind OF people, fond OF nshing and
hunting aud ANXIOUS to trade with the Americans Tor
blankots, trinkcts and gewgaws. The Russian COM
pany, which preceded tho american company, traded
with them for about eighty years, with practically the
same experience The Indians love nrowalor, but the
company reiusos to sell 1t to them acting upon the
principle that a sober Indian makes u better and
steadicr hunter and a servceable agent Of the
company In securing petry. Any decentralization
among them Is due the sale OF spirits by the suffers
and post traders al the settlements. Very naturally
tho traders want the troops back, that they may
continue to sell whskey to tho Indians and secure
themselves against the mischief ana injury tho whls-
] key excites them 10 commit