The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-16
ALASKA.

REPORT FROM THE COMMANDER OF THE JAMES,
rowN-FKELLSG AMONG THE INDIANS
DANGER FROM INTOXICATING LIQUOR.
WASHINGTON. July Is, 1879.
At the Cabinet meeting to-day Secretary Thomp-
son read q letter received by him from the comman-
der of the United States ship jamestown. which
was recently ordered Sitka Alaska to protect the
white settlement from the violence of Indians. The
letter is dated United States Steamer jamestown.
sitka Alaska, June %. 1879. The most important
portions of 1t are follows
The mail steamer California arrived this morning
fifteen days over time, she having been detained by
an attachment at Portland, sne leaves this after
noon and take advantage of the opportunity to
fulfil that part OF my instructions which calls upon
me ITO communicates with the department from
time to time to affairs in Alaska, far a. eight
days experience and observation will enable
to do.
l cannot ask that the department shall receive as
perfectly sound the views which l shall express.
They but frst Impressions and will probably be
to some extent modified after "a longer stay have.
and have the officers OF the vessel mingled freely
with persons OF all classes and ages both whites and
Indians, and We have obtained great deal Of
although individual interests great differences
OF opinion among the whites about other matters
affairs here is such that the department has done
wisely In sending vessel to protect the settlement.
FEELING OF THE INDIANS
am satisfied that both the local Indians and the
Tchlcats have friendly feelings toward the whites
and that there is danger of any premeditated at
tack upon the settlement The whites furnish to the
Indians market for their furs fish. &C., and supply
them with many needed articles Many of the In
dams. both men and women. 'dress up" on Sunday.
and cheap dry goods in demand. The two settle
have existed in juxtaposition for many years.
and 1t is exceedingly creditable to both that with
law to govern them they have both SO governed
themselves that outrages and disorders are uncom-
mon.
A TERRIBLE DANGER
There is. however, terrible danger to which the
whites are exposed, and 1t is far from imaginary
When intoxicated with the vile "hootchenoo,"
like all drunken men. the Indians liable to
init outrages which the whites powerless pre-
vent and to resent which would draw upon them the
vengeance Of the entire family to which the cuprt
belonged It is my belief that in February last this
settlement narrowly escaped massacre. That it
did escape is due greatly to the influence Of certain
friendly Indians Of superior intelligence. do not
think that there is any danger while vessel Of
is here. and hope TO be able to influence the In
peace. I have instructed them at ''powwow''
that they too. belonged to the United States. and
whites would assist them, and that another out
break would probably occasion the government to
send gunboat steamers. Of which they are in great
fear, to exterminae them. One result of this course
has been that leader. Of Galatians tribe. has,
before taking journey, applied to the Collector for
o certificate that he is a Sitka American Indian.
INDIAN POLICE APPOINTED
have had occasion three times to exercise the
discretionary power given me by the department
The first was upon request of the Collector to fur
nsh assistance to prevent smuggling of liquor,
which letter. together with my answer and
document. Second. l have enlisted as first
class boys to perform duty policemen
the three Indians who did much to the
whites in February last. These Amahoots, Dick
and Shurhof. The two former are contested with
Tchilcats and Kaoshes tribes. and Shurhoff is good
interpreter. and all are very influential. Their duty
is to preserve order and impress upon the Indians
the advantages Of good behavior and to make such
arrests and citations as may deem necessary. do
not wish to bring any of our men into unfriendly
contact unless an emergency arises. small guard
might be overcome and the effect would be democrat
izing.
The report goes on to instance cases in which the
services of the Indians have proved eminently
full.
On the 18th Of June an expedition. under command
Of Ensigns Usher and Gilmore, left Stks in the tug
Rosa in search Of the mail steamer California. then
nine days due and in regard to whose safety
great anxiety was felt Great difficulty found in
entering the harbor account Of incorrect sailing
directions and charts. This Commodore Beardslee
proposes to remedy by building beacons. placing
buoys &c. The weather is reported to have been
good and the ships company healthy and contented.
There Is stated to be considerable sickness among
the Russians and Indians and no resident practi-
TONER. Such assistance available
dered by the ships medical officer. The jamestown
lies moored in position to command the Indian
village with her battery.