New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-21
MFTLAKAHTLAS PROTEST.
TUE Projected DEsPOILING OF THEIR
ALASKAN ISLAND OPPOSED.
WILLIAM DUNCAN. THEIR MISSIONARY GIVES
REASONS WHY THE PENDING BILL ~
oprv THE ISLAND To SETTLE
MENr SHOULD NOT PASS.

who has been for forty years Il AaE
among the Metlakahta Indians Is III -,
.o.. o.o,rs, tnc passage Of a bill to deprive
.roso Indians OF portion OF Annette Is'aHu'
Alaska which was set apart by congress io' .,e''
use and occupation some years "so' ""e'' ''
moved In n body from British Coiumoh 70 INC
r-,,,ed states Through the efforts or ME- duncan
those Indians have emerged from state Oh semi
.ovaco-v and become n civilized. Christian COM
,oynitv industrious. honest. law-aoiding ana SELF
s,uoor,lng They a living example OF 'He
blessings Of civilized life 10 the Alaskan tri"es
,rbtcb surround them and that this example Is not
without its influence IS shown by the iact mat al
reo6v ,veIve families belonging 10 two OF the ma
tive Alaska tribe. have Joined and become members
OF the community while others are preparing 10
DO so The importance of this community as a
cvilizng influence among the naive tribes can
not be overestmated.
In \ latter 70 Secretary Bliss OF the Department
Of the Interior Mr. Duncan. as the representative
Of the Metlakahta community. set forth the Follow
ing reasons why the legislation now proposed IN
Congress 10 deprive the Indians or portion OF
their lands should not be enacted:
"First-Our community Of over eight hundred
Tsrusheans found Annette Island without an In
habitant in 1857 and settled thereon, and after
swearing allegiance and loyalty 10 the Government
Of the United States. duly recorded at S'tka their
claims 10 the island.
"Second-Af;er our settling here n NUMBER OF
white men prospected the island. without success
for over two years. We determined on leaving for
some other location had gold been found at that
time.
"Third-In 1891 Congress reserved Annette Island
for our people and for any Alaska natives who
would Join
'Fourth-Our way being apparently clear and our
people strengthened and encouraged by the geneT-
Gus action Of Congress. set to work in good faith
and have built neat little town, which has called
forth expressions of admiration and wonder from
every Government officer and official. well as
crowds Of tourists who haze visited US.
"Fifth-Our people are law-abidng and loyal
self-supporting and progressive. No noxicarts are
allowed in the town and we have never had a
criminal TO send TO Sitka. We have schools, town
hall the largest church and Christian congregation
in Alaska. Should the bill before Congress become
law. we feel all these substantial gains will
be lost and 10 Alaska. our youths OF both
sexes brought into proximity to a mining camp
would be quickly debauched and ruined Which
may God Forbid
The sum total crave OF the Government for
the natives in their present condition is protection
and isolation from vicious whites. These granted
our community will continue TO prosper and lead
the way for their less enlightened brethren, afford
ing and providing asylum Of hope TO all who
wish 70 escape from the thradlom Of an evil life
"Slxth-Turnng now TO the demands Of the BILL
Should II be sanctioned by Congress. see IL Will
not only injure morally. but 1t will seriously i'm
povorish us materially. 1t would take away from
US a water power on which have spent thou
mill and all the machinery in our salmon cannery,
supply our town with good drinking water. and
serve steamers with water which come to our
wharf. II would further rob us of several small
streams from which obtain supply of salmon
one Of which is near the village and is Of
food supply to the aged poor, who canno: travel
further away Il would also greatly reduce
timber supply which we use for domestic purposes
and would indeed, render the island comparatively
worthless as home.
POOR MINING on THE ISLAND.
"seven,h-Next as TO the steps community
has taken in regard to mining on the island In
lSa5. about and half years ago. We learned
that some white men had bean trespassing the
island. and mad announced their discovery Of gold
bearing quartz We sent natives TO see what had
been done and take down the names Of the tres
httorncv a. his request The natives also brought
specimens Of the from three places that had
Forwarded to a friend who had It assayed for US.
HIS report was as follows: No contained $ 80
gold and ounces silver 10 the ton; No. contained
81 - gold and 22 ounces silver 10 the ton; No. 3
contained 06 gold and ounces silver TO the ton.
Since then we have had another friendly expert TO
examine the island and especially the places said
70 Dc rch IN gola On ms return TINS TREND at a
present indications 60 the reports which had been
published in reference TO the aurifeTous nature Of
the rocks on the island had been grossly exagger-
atci Several Of the claims staked off Of no
tanned gold enough to make it worth while working.
But tina; ledge was only fourteen inches broad and
could be ascertained whether the ledge Increased or
decreased in breadth below the surface. Our peo-
pie have done mining. They waiting the
issue Of events-not willing 10 take any steps in the
matter without permission from the Government
"Eighth-lt may be well for mention that
the very persons who staked off miners
only waiting the action Of Congress in their favor
before commencing 10 operate their mines, have
also prospected and laid of many claims said 70 be
rich other Islands adjacent TO Annette Island yet
they haye 70 the present done nothing to develop
any legal difficulties in the way. II would appear.
nette Island because it is reserved for the natives
and II they succeed in the scheme public attention
viii be drawn TO their claims which they will be
"Ninth-In concluding my letter would observe
wOrkmen anxious for employment but who a, pres
eAt have 10 leave their homes for some months each
year in search OF work IT, therefore a kind Provi-
dence has placed within their reach mining 10
do. my prayer that Congress viii leave the work
In their hands. Such action OF Congress Will en-
courage the natives and inspire them 10 give further
In vain"
THE COMMUNITY's INDUSTRY.
The chief industry OF the community is salmon
canning. Last year fifteen thousand four hundred
cases OF salmon were canned and shipped yielding
the community about $4,000 Mr.. Duncan's wages
book" shows that the members OF the community
have earned and received for their labor from the
Seg!nhins me totai sum OF SSlGO, which is pretty
fair evidence Of their industry. That they are sober
comfortable homes they have built ana the pubiic
improvements which they have made and are still
.4.eIH4t. - - 4'cl s4siItd4l eFlCtNce or tNelr
progress in civilization that they have been Die D
borrow money 10 be expended on public improve
menis and have levied and paving taxes 10 meet
the interest on the loan and provide sinking fund
The loan bears interest az the per cen: per
annum. which is no, much, Il any. higher than that
wnlcn some municipal corporations in several States
O. the Union obliged TO pay.
The government OF ths interesting cornrouri.v q.
republican In form but 4 has peculiar feature
once every year tAe people called together and
required 20 subscribe 70 the following declaration'
We. the people OF Metlakahtla Alaska In order
20 secure 70 ourselves and pOstori,v the bless
ings q Christian home do severaly subscribe %
ne foHowlng rules for the regulation OF our conduct
"FlrsL-Io reverence the Sahhath and % re.-aaa