Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-22
An Expedition to Alaska.
SECRETARY sHERMAN's INSTRUCTIONS.

The recent reports from Alaska have drawn
attention to the condition OF that territory,
its resources and the possible better protec-
tlon Of United States interests there and In
the waters adjacent. The seal fisheries OF
made more beneficial to the government by
thorough supervision and knowledge thereof
Secretary Sherman Is turning his attention
more particularly to the territory, and intend )
to see what can be done in developing it. AS
preliminary step he has decided to send a some
what general expedition to cruise In Alaskan
waters, In and around the seal fieheries, and
following sailing orders to Capt. Geo. w. Ba ley,
commanding the U. s. revenue steamer lsh,
now at San Francisco, Cal:
"The department having determined to dis
command, to cruise In the waters OF Alaska for
the enforcement Of the provisions of law g. nd
protectlon OF the interests OF the government On
seal islands and the sea-Otter hunting ground
and Of Alaska generally, you are directed
take on board that vessel without delay suffi-
clent supplies OF provisions for a five months
can be conveniently stored on board, and leave
San Francisco with your command not later
than the 18th Of May next for the waters named
hereinafter designated. You win touch at Ma
na1no, British Colombia, and take on board all
the ,eS coal that the Rush can carry
Fort Wrangell and Sitka and leave at those
places the copies OF printed orders relating to
those waters which will be furnished you.
You Will cruise actively with said vessel until
the Goth OF October next, IL practicable, and viii
strictly enforce Instructions TO this end YOU
will visit St. faul and ST. George, at least twice
during the season and cover In your cruising
the sea-otter hunting grounds from Kodiak TO
Oumalaska, leaving an officer and two seamen
On the Otter island during the sealing season To
prevent the killing OF seals Oh that Island; and
you Will In the course OF the season make one
cruise to the westward, II practicable, as far as
at ha JUItt,
stations between that Island and Oumalaska
You viii. In carrying out the instrue-
IONS sent you herewith, cruise the Rush
under canvas TO assist steam, when practicable
and with fiee or fair WIND OF any force unc0upi
the Propeller and depend altogether upon salts
Additional Instructions to the above have
been given Capt. Baily. lie Is directed 10 OBJ
tam and report accurate Information In regard
to the commerce of the waters visited stating
as nearly as possible the number OF vessels az
irving therein, their nationality, tonnage, hail
ing ports, names or commanding officers,
nature or carg0es or OF trade In which engaged
&C." secure and report accurate information
IN regard TO the number. character ana condi-
ton or the population OF each OF the towns aud
Islands visited. giving details AS 10 Occupa-
tions, means OF subsistence, modes or life, hab-
latlons, customs, and, In general, such Inform
alton or social and individual interest as may
be gathered" he is ''clothed with full powers
10 enforce the law contained In the provisions
OF section 1856 Of the u. &. revised statutes,u
and Is directed TO 'seize all vessels ana arrest
ana turn over TO the proper authorities any or
all persons whom you may detect violating
the law referred 10, after due notice shall have
been given" THE law to which reference Is
made Is for the protection OF the U. s. seal fish
eries.l "You Will also seize any liqors or arms
attempted to be introduced into the country
without proper permit under the provisions OF
section t,955 Of the revised statutes and the
proclamation OF the President dated February
4th, 1870"
A further note OF instruction says: "During
the cruise OF the revenue steamer Rush under
your command in Alaskan waters the ensuing
season, you will cause SOundings, bearings
geographical and astronomical observations,
notes on tides and currents, and the position OF
rocks, bars, &C., to be taken In the interest Of
science, and on return of the Rush to san
Francisco submit detailed reports OF the same
to the department." copy OF a letter from
the superintendent OF the coast survey making
suggestions In regard TO the localities where
special observations are desired. is enclosed.
The Secretary has also forwarded to Capt. Bal
ley letter, stating that the Swedish and Nor
Weg1an minister has requested that he be in
st1ucted TO obtain information, IL possible con.
corning the expedition OF Prof Nordenskiold,
which was last heard from in August 1878, near
the mouth OF the Lena river, and he is In
stucted on this point
The Rush, which is to make this Interesting
and doubtless profitable cruise, Is one OF the
Dest ano fastest revenue cutters In the service
s ne Is OF i91 tons and steam propeller. She
Will have 30 men aboard and officers. She 1,
q comparatively new vessel, having been bull