The New York herald., 1879-02-27
AFFAIRS IN ALASKA.

SPECIAL AGENT WILLIAM GoUvERNEUR MORRIS
ON THE SITUATION AND NEEDS OF OUR LATEST
EXTENDED TO AMERICAN CITIZENS TERKI-
TORY PRACTICALLY ABANDONED.
OFFICE OF SPECIAL AGENT TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON. ID. ca Feb. II, 1879. J
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD
observe in your paper OF the 10th some well
directed remarks touching the petition which has
been sent By the citizens of sitka to the commander
of Her Majesty's ship Osprey. at Esquimaut. British
Columbia. asking protection from threatened Indian
massacre at that place. Affairs must certainly have
been very alarming for such request to have been
preferred. but when the fact sknown that we have
not single vessel of the navy north of Mare Island
Navy Yard. near San Francisco. and such cutters
are the Pacific coast at the disposition of the Secrc
tary of the Treasury either lying their respective
stations, where the custom houses located. alb
sent on their cruising grounds it is not at all to be
wondered that white American citizens in danger of
being murdered by savage tribes should ask the red
of King George for protection when own be-
loved Stars and Stripes floating 1000 miles away
WHITES AND THE INDIANS.
The people Of British Columbia, Puget Sound and
Alaska near neighbors and homogeneous and
social life. They have intermarried and visit each
other frequently. The coast of British Columbia
extends to tho forty ninth parallel of north latitude
and joins Alaska. being separated by what is known
the Portland Canal. This whole Northwest Eng
lish coast is inhabited by savage Indians. who
kept in due state of subsection and obedience by the
occasional presence Of: an English gunboat. The
captain OF British f-war has supreme author
ity and the chassement these tribes have hitherto
met with fron.the British gunboats has produced u
most sautary effect in the preservation of the peace.
1t is not at all unnatural to suppose that in view
of the reported disturbances at Sitka the English
commander should decm it incumbent upon him
self ut to proceed to the and ascertain
ii the trouble would extend to the tribes In British
territory.
The Alaska Indians and those IN British Columbia
in constant communication with each other. and
let the ball open and there is telling where
it will stop. 1t is we'll known fact that Sitting
Bull seconded by Joseph. the Nez Perce chief before
the of Custer sent runners and emissaries
among the Indians OF British Columbia to endeavor
of uneasiness felt at the time but owing to the
far superior policy of Indian control rs exercised by
the British government they dared not attempt
revolt.
ACTION OF THE BRITISH COMMANDER
To my mind this action of the commander of tho
Osprey is well timed and shows what fraterna feel
ing should exist between the two nations speaking
the same language, united by the same ties Of blood
and brotherhood governed by the same principles OF
common law. reading the same literature embracing
the same religion and worshppng the same God.
We who live tar away from Eastern civilization
SOoo1
neighbors, living they do in juxtapostion to
and in perfect amity and accord, should readily
show a desire to extend such aid to citizens us
would prevent what the whole civilized and Christian
world stands aghast at-an Indian massacre.
RESPONSIBLE?
This brings me to the question OF who Is respon-
sible for this trouble The California press much
excited upon this subject. and in unmeasured terms
dcnounce the administration for the present state
Of affairs. This is no new thing to me-
In my report to the Secretary of the
Treasury of inspection of Alaska Territory made
1,v op1nr Lost md nCw in fha hand
Public Printer by order of the Senate the whole sub
ject is reviewed and the responsibility is there To-
cated As that report will not be published for some
days think 1t incumbent upon me to offer to the
public, through the columns of your widespread
journal, some reasons for. as you say, Britain Pro-
The executive branch of the government must be
held bameless and the responsibility shifted to the
lawmaking power at the other end OF the avenue.
Upon the abandonment by the War Department OF
Alaska Territory and withdrawal of the troops in
June, 1877. the sole government and control Of the
the Treasury insomuch as he had custom houses
and customs officers there. This and nothing more.
This officer has been most unjustly blamed for not
aoring such protection as the requirements Of the
Territory demand.
The error committed in Withdrawing the troops
and this General Mcdowell now sccs-was in taking
them away before Congress had egislated some form
of for the protection of the people and
appropriated means to build suitable gunboat to
patrol the coast.
RULED BY A DEPARTMENT..
The condition OF affairs in that region is without
comparison parallel III the history OF nations.
The Secretary OF the Treasury is charged with the
collection Of the and the vessels of the
enuo marine are by law directed to be used in the
performance of certain duties in that connection.
There is no law written unwritten, which de-
tory. 1t is different with the War Department. That
use troops to repress or prevent outbreak in
many instances where there il warrant of law for
the Secretary of the Treasury to interfere. For
nearly two years there has absolutely been no gov
ernment of any kind whatever in Alaska. aud
although Congress has been repeatedly petitioned by
tn nd Mir ask N deaf car
and neglected to legislate IN any manner form
whatsoever for this section Of our national domain
The Secretary OF the Treasury has ON the Pacific
coast but limited number OF revenue steamers,
none of which fitted for extended cruises in
annual report to Congress. bill introduced by
Senator Mitchell, or Oregon. Is now pending in the
senato to remedy this defect. aud appropriating
$175000 for the construction of proper vessel. Un
less this and other needful legislation had tor that
remote land. no one can toreshadow what may take
place, and shall again be compelled to call upon
Britain to protect America
AMERICAN PROTECTION.
1t is the proud boast OF English subject that
matter III what OF the earth he may pitch his
tent he is assured OF the protection OF his flag How
different with the American Republic. lhc converse
of the proposition is the fact. and right here ut our
doors we have integral part of tins Republic.
embracing one-sixth the area OF the whole United
States, rich in minerals timber fish and furs, wholly
neglected by the law making branch OF the govern
ment.
The revenue cutter wolcott has been ordered to
Stka She small and lily adapted for the service.
She can take about coal enough British Colun-
ba to steam to Sitka and back and should there bo
any trouble nsother portions ot the Territory she
would be unable TO extend aid. Secretary sherman
anxious and willing to do everything ia his power
for Alaska. but in the absence OF any law for his
action aud no money to do anything with. he Is not
chargeable for the present existing unfortunate state
OF affairs in the Territory.
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM GOUvERNEUR MORRIS.
Special Agent Of Customs.
OF THE REAL CAUSES OF THE
TRoUBLEs-Is ALASKA WORTHLESS?
from tho San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 49,
Unless the news Of Q threatened Indian outbreak
at sika. telegraphed from Victoria is grossly
aggeraed. the situation of the small colony of Amer
lean citizens at Sitka is extremely critical Details
of the murder OF Brown. the proprietor
q ci1hi