The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-08-31

yard at Resurrection bay, on Prince William
sound. About this time the first missionaries
Of the Greek church arrived, and missions
were established at Kodiak, Ounalaska and
Spruce Island. The next year Baranof ex'
tended his operations and trading posts "a
Yaku,at bay. Following this was the CON
solidation of all Russian interests In North
| America, giving rise 10 the RuSsia,,-American
company, which was chartered the year that
Baranotf founded Sitka, 1899. Under this
company, chartered by the crown, patron
ized by nobility, sustained 10y consolidated
capital and led 10y the energy OF Baranof,
new explorations and settlements inevitably
| followed.
In 1861 negotiations were opened for the
purchase Of Alaska by the United States
| The territory was transferred by Russia for
| s., 300 900, the treaty being ratified by the
| United States senate on May 20, 1867, and
Gen. Lowell H. Rousseau, Union general of
distinction, was appointed commissioner 10
take possession. This no did on Oct. IS OF
the same year. The headquarters Of the
military and collecting district were fixed at
Sitka
II is claimed by those who hold 10 the
"closed sea theory" that when Alaska was
ceded TO the United States, the line OF de-
markation determining the western boundary
of Behring's sea made II "A Mare Claus'im,
from tho southernmost point on irince OF
Wales Island 10 point near Alton Island OF
the Aleutian grant, thus making complete
close This imaginary line OF deinarkation
runs course Of about 900 miles from north
east TO southwest. The whole area Of Behr-
ing's sea, including Norton's sound and Bris-
tol bay, is about GO0,OO square miles. The
ST. George and St Paul Islands, where most
Of the seal are captured, are about 700 miles
north Of the Aleutian peninsula and 500
miles west of the main line OF coast. The seal,
are frequently found now several hundred
miles from shore, and are gradually working
their way TO the northward.
An excellent summary Of the events lead
ing up 10 the present condition Of the Alas
kan seal fisheries was given by Sir Lionel
Sackville West-afterward Lord Sackyille-
late British minister TO the United States, In
September, 1885, To Lord Addesleigh, then
English secretary Of state for foreign affairs;
The transfer OF the territory of Alaska
10 the United States government, in compli-
ance with the terms Of the treaty between
the two governments, included the transfer
of all the Russian government property,
such as public buildings at Sitka, governors
house, custom house, hospital and wharves,
etc. There were, however, certain buildings
preserved rs the property of the Russian
Fur. company, and as Gen. Rousseau, the
United States commissioner, could not, in
his official capacity, take any active or open
part in its disposal, Prince Matsukoff, the
Russian governor, concluded a bargain with
Mr.. Hutchinson, who accompanied Gen.
Rousseau as his private secretary.
This bargain included all the property of
the Russian Fur company and the American
officers stationed ut Sitka, who claimed that
they were entitled TO "A share Of the spoils.
BY virtue of this bargain with Prince Mat
sukofl, who was governor of the company,
Mr.. Hutchinson proposed 10 take possession
Of the fur trade Of Alaska and the seal isl
ands, and left for Victoria, British Columbia,
and San Francisco TO make the necessary ar
rangements At the former place he met
with Mr. Kohl, owner of a British steamer