The New York herald., 1877-09-05
ALASKA.

REPORT OF CAPTAIN ]. w. WHITE, OF THE
REVENUE SERVICE, TO THE TREASURY DE-
PARrMENT ON THE SITUATION IN OUR NEW
possEssIoN-A VILE RUM THE CAUSE OF
WASHINGTON Sept. 4, 1871
The following has been received the Treasury Do.
UNITED STATES REVENUE MARsNE)
STEAMER THOMAS CORwIN, !
SIrKA, Alaska, August IL, 1871
Hon. JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary OF the Treasury,
Washington, ID. Z. -
sIa-ln compliance with the department telegram
OF the 26ih ult proceeded TO this place. where
rived at four =. NJ OF the 10Th inst, and The mail
steamer will leave here this r. NJ. have
the honor TO submit the following report Soon after
moorng a number OF the natives gathered around the
vessel IN their canoes with fish, game, &c, ior the
purpose of trade. From them learned that most OF
the men were away ashng, as Is ther custom at this
time OF the year. and none with whom conversed
seemed to know OF any particular trouble brewing
visited the Custom House building and found there
Mr. 4. 3. Harvey IN charge, Collector NJ. p. Berry be
Mr. Harvey seems clearly understand The situation
OF affairs here, and several OF the traders support h
views IN the main
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLES
1t is tho opiniou OF MI Harvey that any trouble
which may arise Will be due TO the excessive
wLich the Indians and Creoes Tor half
breed Russans) easily disIil from either molasses,
sugar potatoes or the various kinds OF wild berrie;
growing hero. mOasses, however, being tho chel arti
Gle reIed upon. The making OF this drink IAN art
learned from the soldlers) is now being carried on
both by Indians and halDreeds and III Quantities
TO suit the demand, that all can have "bg drunk
whenever they dlsp0sod and at such times seri
trouble may possibly arse. In my opinion, how
ever much OF Tins could be aver,ed by tho traders
themselves If they would not dispose OF molasses, save
IN very small qua9t.ies OF, oet,er si no. AZ Az,
the cheapest and most inferior Sandwich Islands pro-
duction, is for tho manuiacture Of tas intoxicating
drink. Judging, however, IRON the class oil men
trading here think II unlikely that thcy will refrain
from trading in ANYTHING the law allows at least
PRIGHTFUL BEVERAGE
The mode OF dstilling TINS drink is very simple, al6
tho appa! atus used nex pensive the
Two Goa, oil cans and very small coil oil ppe whici
is easily put out Oi sght destroyed upon the slight
est Glance OF detection, and am informed that many
did destroy or remove to Inc woods tnese petty still
upon arrivai IN sight, especially when II was sccs
10 pe a government vessel Aiter digent inquiry and
coretu observation since our arrival nere nave not
any breach OF the public peace, has my
attention been called TO any particular act iew
petty respasses Committed by tho Indians haii-breeda
wuite weii alter the departure OF the
troops Whe the Indians are now preparing fish
for winter the hatDreeds IRON their utter shit
essuess and nordnate craving for strong drink, sacri
1cing all their summer earnings 10 obtain Il, Will,
am afraid, suffer i-r food this coming winter. Ths
great desire oi all with whom have conversed seems
to be that the lniaLs suOuld made 10 understand
thai the government not entirely abandoned the
country tnem that rs presence here should bs
represented by an armed vessel or the return Of th'
troops.
l would here respectfully Suggest the propriety OF
cIpai villages In this archipelago ono every two or
three months most, as that OF itselt would have
greater restraining influence over both whites and
Indians tend 10 the better enorcemen OF the laws
and preservation of tue pubic peace than ny sta.
tionLg troops at this point Carrying out this view
would respectfully inform The department. that after
becoming satisfied that stay here Will be no longer
required Tor The proper cnorcement oi the laws ior
the time being, snail proceed To visit some oi tue
principal villages and Fort Wrange, thence 70 Port
Townsend, W. T., wnere shall leave pilot Keen and
report the department, exercising my best Judgment
all times the best Interests oil the government
CHARACTER THE POPULATION.
have to add mat from The best data obtainablo the
population OF TINS place is as folio~s:-A0out iweve
or fifteen white men, various nationaiitcs, Claim
ing to be American citzens hvs full oiooded Russians,
including the prest and about two hundrei aud sew
enty half breeds including men, women and children
The Indisn population 800 10 1900, accord
ing the season. The priest me hat tho hall.
brceds are low, degraded class, over whom ne mas
influence, ana ths more lear IL 70 0e apprchended
from them wnen drunk tnan from the Indlans them
selves. | nave the honor to be,
V@y respectfully, your o5eiicnt servant
J. W. WHITE, U. 8. r. N.