, 1886-02-04
History IF Alaska.

We have just received Vol. AAAllI
Of Bancrofrs Works, devoted to
Alaska from 1889 10 1850, and find it
Z timely volume. There is 10 part
OF the United States domain whose
climate, resources, and history are SO
little known as those of Alaska.
There is no part more needful of the
attention Of statesmen and men OF
progress and philanthropy. We
have not known what to do be-
cause we have not known what was
there; we have not known what
others have done or what men may
row do. 1t is to be believed that
this volume will prove of Immediate
and lasting benefit in thus throwing
new light on this distant region.
The novelty and romance attaching
to the annals OF Alaska are far
greater than anyone not familiar with
the subject would imagine. The
early history of Alaska is wholly diff
ferent from the history Of any other
part of America. 1t dates from a
different quarter of the globe; it was
seized and occupied by a people who
never mingled in American affairs
before or since. For reckless courage,
for Indifference to suffering and
| death, for cruelty and iniquity, the
| Russians we're in no wise behind the
Spaniards. And the character and
customs of the Russians themselves
are no less objects of interest than
those Of the natives of ALASKA, which,
for the most part, are unlike those OF
| other American aboriginal peoples.
The Russian fur trade, as it was in
the beginning. the the century march
Of the Cossacks across Siberia, the
voyages of discovery to the opposite
coast Of America, and the fur-hunt
ing expeditions which followed, are
all fall of thrilling interest
So in the matter OF collecting the
material for this volume, and iii alb
stractirg aud distiliing it into
clear and condensed historical MARIA
tive, the field was wholly new. Most
OF the original sources of informa-
ton were in the Russian language,
in books published Ill Russia, and in
documents lodged in the Russian
archives though there were, besides
these, the Alaska archives sent from
Siika to Washington, the narrati, es
of explorers and travellers, and the
testimony of living witnesses. Able
and honest men were employed, and
sent in search of the material. which
was thus literally gathered from tie
four quarters of the earth.
To a devoted friend, NJ. Pinart, q
| thorough Russian scholar, and one
no less enthusiastic in his work than
liberal-minded and conscientious as
a man, the author is indebted for
much Of his material from st. Peters
burg. Three several times Mr.
Bancroft sent another agent to Alaska
to explore the county and write out
the experiences of men living there.
tOne of his assistants, with a steno-
grapher, spent over two years going
through the Alaskan archives in
| Washington. All this was but pre-
liminary work, which, when done,
only placed the necessary infQrma-
ia the hands OF the author, thus en-
| abiing him to begin his work. The
collecting done, years of labor fol
lowed, translating; extracting, ar
ranging and writing, and this volume
IS the result. 1t is the first volume
| yet issued in this Historical Series
which is complete in itself, with Pre-
face and Index, taking up events
from the earliest records and bring
ing them down to the present day.
That the time and labor bestowed
upon it by the author may IN some
degree be appreciated by the public,
and the volume meet with the ap-
lprobation of the best men, IS the earn.
vst trUIJU Of tho publishers.