, 1879-07-31

The Tinnet number 61OO
ne I'llnkets $3.50
Total No. Alaskan Indians 1850
But, in speaking of the native
population of Alaska, it is proper to
call them all "Indians" to prevent
confusion. Dali adds to this whole
number Of natives, which, as before
stated, is 25,704, as follows: e. g.,
Rnssans, 90; half breeds, or creoles,
l,ooo; citizens, including military,
250, equal, 1890, making total pop
ulation OF the Territory, 27,504.
The military have been removed
since Dall's estimate was made, but
the addition to the population since
the canneries at Sitka and Klawack
have been established, and the influx
occasoned by the mineral discover.
les, will make the total for the whole
population at the present time not
far from the amount estimated.
The second question, "As to the
best method of managing the Indians
oil Alaska" is one OF deep interest;
one which requires much study and
careful consideration; and no con,
clusions should be hastily made. In
accepting your kind invitation to ex.
press myself on this momentous
question, shall have to ask your
permission to allow me to state how
| have acquired the information re.
quisite to enable me to advance an
opinion upon so grave subject as
the management Of Indians.
Since 1852, at which time | first
came to this Territory (then part
of Oregon), l have devoted con.
siderable portion of my time to the
study Of Indian habits and customs.
to ethnology, archaolgy, and all
matters pertaining to the history OF
this people, especially the natives Of
the northwest coast. In 1865 | was
with the late General Isaac |. Stew.
ems, when, as Governor of Washing
ton Territory and superintendent Of
Indian affairs, he made treaties with
the several tribes west Of the Gas.
cade range, and subsequently WAS
with him in Washington as his pri
vate secretary at the time he. as
Delegate in Congress from this Ter
ritory, aided in having those treaties
confirmed by the Senate. The sub.
iect of those treaties was the topic
Of our frequent conversation, and no
man knows better than myself what
Governor Stevens true intention
was concerning them; and can safe
ly and truly state, that had the trea.
ties he made been carried out in the
spirit and intent with which he made
them, much good would have been
effected with the Indians, and it is
this non. .fulfllment of those treaties
which has been the prime cause Of
all tho trouble we have had with the
Indians in this Territory. | was
then, and am now, opposed to all
treaty.making with the natives, and
published my views in work en-
titled "The Northwest Coast" which
was issued by Harpers in 1857. On
pages $40 and $50, and from the last
paragraph on page 367, my views are
freely expressed. Ify you have not
a copy of the book, you can obtain
one either at Mr.. Webster's or at DR..
Minors
My observation and experience
since then have proved to me that my
views as there expressed are correct;
that it is folly to thin k of making any
more treaties with Indians, and, so
far as Alaska is considered, | see no
objection to be attained by repeating
WORKOUT farce of treating with
people who are living in territory
which we have acquired the fee.
simple of by the purchase the United
States made of Russia, in which pur.
chase no mention is made Of any re-.
served rights of Indians or any other
people. The land belongs to the
United States, and no treaties are
necessary to extinguish Indian titles.
We must therefore, meet this
Alaskan question other than by the
time honored custom of making a
solemn treaty with horde OF breech.
less savages in the same formal mar.
ner and with more imposing cere-
money than we are wont to do with
such great nations as Great Britain,