The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-13

nesses TO testify that the Hudson Bay Com
pany paid the annual compensation re-
ferred 10 as late as the year 1857. Among
the letters received while making the in
vestigation on which our report was based
were one from Father William Duncan
and one from the Indian secretary of the
MetlakRhtla Indians. Here they are"
And Gen. Metcalfe, turning to his portfolio,
showed the reporter the following two let
ters:
ION Board City OF Topeka.
ALASKAN Waters. May 3, 1895.
~. B. Metcalfe. Esq. Seattle. Wash.
Before leaving home for trip to Sifka, I
received letter from MI. Minor Bruce. the
explorer, asking me to write you any par
ticulars l might happen to know regarding
the question of the boundary between
Alaska and British Columbia. Most likely
the little inflammation l have on the sub
no harm to write what know.
" 'First-In 1887 I was located at Fort
Simpson. and was In constant daily inter-
course with the affairs of the Hudson Bay
company who had a monopoly Of the coun-
try at that time. From this intercourse l
learned that all the country north OF Port
land canal belonged to Russia and for the
that point. and as far as Chilcat the Hud-
son Bay Company paid rent to the Rus
sian government OF Loo otter skins each
year. 1t is not at all likely that COM
pany OF such proportions as the Hudson
Bay Company would consent to pay rent
for territory of which there was uncer-
tainty as to ownership. That company
would most assuredly be well acquainted
with the maps which assigned the terri
tory TO Russia. or IL would have never
made the agreement with Russia which it
did Nor did those officers during all the
years / was in daily intercourse with them
ever hint at doubt as TO the boundary
from which Russian claims started.
"'Second-I have known law-breakers to
escape 10 Tongass from Justice. being
while there, out of the jurisdiction OF Brit
ish Columbia.
'Third-When the United States pur-
chased Alaska. a corps OF soldiers was
stationed az Tongass and continued there
for years in undisputed control.
" Fourth-On my migration with over
500 Indians from British Columbia, in 1887.
we had to cali at Fort Tongass and give
an account OF our belongings | paid me
customs officers over si,ooO TO bring my
ties resided at Tongass. Just over the in
let called Portland canal. Yours trnly.
WIN. DUNCAN
'Metlakshtla. Alaska Nav 81 1895
~. n. Metcalse. Esq. Seattle, Wash.
Dear Ssr-Since the report reached us or
the controversy which is going on between
Canada and the United States concerning
the boundary line between British Column
bia and Alaska, We have met to discuss the
mater.
:" The information which we have to Of
fer on the subject Is:
" 'FirSs-When we left our old home In
British Columbia We were regarded as for
I egners by the Canadian authorities.
" 'Second-In the summer Of 1857 when
We migrated TO Alaska, Port Tongass. Just
over Portland inlet. was port OF entry.
W, / ad :. pay duty to A custom house OFF,
car residing there on all duti3 bic articles
W. rGucht over 10 this country.
" 'Third-We employed three small
steamers TO coayey over our belongings.
ore OF which tne customs hoisee officer at
Port Simpson tried TO detain as coming
from a foreign country. We had to recsive
cur clearance papers at Port Simpson be-
fore coming over TO Alaska.
'E>ourth-Having got over 10 Annette
Island the Canadian Indian agent at Net
iakahtla r. C. ceas ei 20 have any control
over US which would not have been the
case fsUch was the aniTnus Of the mani X
the boundary line had been doubtful.
We remain truly yours.
THE PEOPLE OF METLAkAHTLA.
alaska.
49, ID. Leask Secretary.
We also showed that the Rev. Mr.. Dun
can having become engaged in a contro-
yersy with his religious surericrS sent cut
10 overlook his charge OF the Aet.aksh,la
Indians. appealed 30 the congress of the
United States for haven Tor himself and
his 500 Indians away from their control or
molestasioE and that by an act OF congress
approved March 3. 1871 Annstte island was
set aside for his use; that the new Meta
kahtia IS now thriving community. with
churches and schools. and sesf-sustaining