Year: 1879




THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE INDIANS


TRADERS RESOLVED TO FURNISH THE RED


MEN NO MATERIALS FOR HooTcHEENoo.


sITKA, Alaska. July 10, 1879.


In my last devoted the short space of time pre-
vous to the sailing of the mail steamer to the situ
alton Of affairs. looking at it principally from In
dian standpoint.


There really little say relative to the situation
that has not already been placed before your readers


protracted stay here merely enables one to perceive
how necessary for the future prosperity and, be-
eve existence OF this place is the presence of
quate protection. In the first place. the honor of
the government is pledged to protect American citi
and treaty residents, well their liberties and
possessions their lives and that pledge should be
fulfilled.


1t is not for us any one TO inquire into the
class Of citizens their business or tho
advantages accrung to them by protection. 1t is
pledged to them wherever they may be by
stituton, by our principles and. in fact. composes
the very foundation upon which Republic rests.
Remove this foundation and vigilance committees
aud mob law must reign. A few days since was
witness to drunken carousaI IN the Indian settle
ment. when knives and clubs were freely used.
One Of our Indian policemen. in endeavoring to
quiet his people. threatened with DEATH and fed
to this ship. An armed boats crew was despatched
at and returned with the culprit. He
was pitiable sight to see, being bruised
in many places stabbed in the arm filthy in appear
ance and covered with vermin. How strong provo
cation or an influence. let me ask would have been
requisite to have urged them, while at the height Of
their carousal, to massacre the residents of this
place. SO much their supcriors in worldly goodse


NECESSITY OF JUDICIAL AUTHORITY.


Besides this simple and plain duty OF protection
there is another equally as important in that of
judicial nature which. If there no Indians
there. is deserving of immediate attention. have
case at point which disturbed the peace of the place
but four days since. desperate character Russian
by BIRTH endeavored to force his way into the house
OF his countrymen for the purpose OF assault
ing him, but failed in his intentions by coming in
contact with two discharges OF a shotgun heavily
loaded. which killed INN almost instantiyy
Board of Officers convened to inquire
into the particulars and the results will be reported
to the Secretary OF the Navy. 1t was undoubtedly
justhable homicide, but even if it not there
judicial authority vested ia any here even
hold the prisoner. 1t is unnecessary to CON-
ment this; it is plain, and merely presents an.
other argument exemplifying the duty Of the gov
ernment to establish some firm form Of justice for
this section of land. What is needed at present
is Justice and Land Commissioner. whose head
quarters should be here or at Wrangel. He should
have adequate clerical force to try all cases and
record land titles. He should have authority
to take into service sufficiently strong
police force of Indians and whites to insure the
peace at all times and have long the condition
OF affairs require them at least two small armed
steam vessels. upon which he could call for assist
ance should occasion arise. 1t is my belief, though,
that the moral influence Of their presence would
contribute sufficient power to the Commissioner to
enable him to execute the duties Of his office under
any and all circumstances. II this protection was
granted SEQ no reason why this should not be
prosperous place. Stock thrive well here. vegetables
can be abundanty raised, the trade in furs and sh
has always been good, and there is undoubtedly
wealth in the mines located. All this is surely
sufficient to encourage exertion and at least some
hopes OF PROSPERITY


STILLS DESTROYED


BY the request OF the Collector. Commander
Beardslee landed two armed squads on the 7th inst
to make united descent the illicit stills in the
Adian and white settlements Three stills found
in the latter settlement and destroyed, and mash for
time freely. In the Indian ranch O STILL hoot-
cheenoo and mash in abundance were discovered in
productive of a marked and agreeable temporary
change in the absence since the event. of savage night
orgies OF course it is but temporary in it's effects
and by law only can 1t be made permanent Many
stills. no doubt were securely hidden and remained
unmolested, yet the raid was most successful one
sense OF the situation and to the necessity of the
steps taken by them two days later, Of which will
now speak. ,i


MATERIALS FOR DrsrILIATIoN NOT TO BE SOLD.


On the 9th inst. the citizens held meeting at the
Collectors Office at which was present. in order
come to somc united conclusion as to the best
to insure local protection and remedy existing evils
The subject first discussed was the Importation of
molasses for the purpose Of selling it to the Indians
The unquestionabe fact that the citizens by
this trade supplying the Indians with poison to
excite their brains to bold ard desperate meas
ures, even to general massacre of ALL was
argued at length Also that it had been
decided by the government to be legitimate
traffic. it should continue unmolested by voluntary
edict. On one hand it was contended that If this
traffic is discontinued Wrangel and other settle
ments not far removed will reap the pecuniary bene
fits which accrue to this place, and that If mo-
lasses is stopped sugar would be used for the
purpose; and if deprived OF that then rice; and If
that, potatoes even berries And providing it is
the primary result Of producing Grazing effect
upon the Indians or even fastening them to an
early grave, as it undoubtedly is what matters it?
Let them die. OF course this last statement should
have had attached to it the inferred phraseas long
protection for the whites is near at hand


On the other hand 1t argued that they would
not 20 to distant settlements for moasses, and
il they did could carry but little in q And as
for sugar. 1t was too expensve: and the other arti-
ces mentioned too inferior to satisfy all does the
liquid now used. As consequence of this they
would have their money to spenu for dress goods.
&C.. which would place the merchants in possession
of the cash with an increased percentage Of profits.
In response to the argument referring to the
eventual destruction of the Indians a moral attitude
OF thought was maintained ana appeal made to
their moral and intellectual attributes men. After
all had given full vent to their opinions this question
was submitted, Whether or not the merchants would
voluntarily discontinue from this date the importa-
tion of molasses, which received the unanimous
vote of those present to do and not only this,
but to return by the steamer. now due, all that had
been invoiced to them. A committee OF fve was
then chosen to frame regulations for local protect
i've organzation and directed to meet the citizens
ON the 18th inst. to report progress The Collector.



assistance of Commander Beardslee, he intended in
future to arrest all detected in the Illicit dista
ton of liquor and send them to Oregon for
trial. This will be one good move In
the right direction. The importation of distilled
liquors into this territory is prohibited by law. but
still is not stopped. and principally for want of
power to successfully accomplish 1t. The steamer
California, her last trip, brought liquors which
were seized by the inspectors appointed by the Col
lector, and nothing was done regarding the nfrac-
tion of the law. What farce II is to make laws and
not enforce themi Can it be true that the Alaska
Seal Company has suffidont influence with great
and powerful government to deceive as to the true
conditioner anairs, to prevent the establishment
of guaranteed protection to its citizens IL In nothing
else the simple execution of the laws which have
been enacted to secure equity and the exercise of
freedom in the Legitimate pursuits of daily life? II
would seem so. These steps taken voluntarily by
these people, showing evident desire TO do right
and help themselves, should bo strong plea to
stimulate the government to some action In their
behalf.