Year: 1879

ITS PAST AND PRESENT COSDIrIoN--ALSO ITS


MINERAL RESOURCES


from the San Francisco Call, Feb. al


Public attention has lately been turned in marked
degree in the direction of that settlement
the shores Of the Pacific Ocean known Alaska, on
account Of the exposed situation Of its people to the
attacks of large bands of natives. who have become
overbearng and demonstrative that it is almost
certain that. unless sufficient protection Is afforded
the settlers, somc violent act will take place by
which rot only property will be destroyed but also
the lives of men. women and children will be taken
in cold blood.


During the period this country was under the
Of the Russians they built forts and had
enough soldiers to preserve both life and property
The great commercial corporation known the Rus
sian-American Fur Company. from the date of its
organization. just previous to the beginning of this
century till 1862 the virtual of the whole
of this vast region, embracing within its borders
more than half million square miles and with
coast line OF nearly four thousand miles. With
wise foresight the homo did interfere
with the workings OF the company, and fthe latter
through their Director, who had almost despotic
powers: took great care to protect whoever might
visit that country for the purposes OF trade. who
might settle there, by the strong force OF military
law AS well known in the latter part of 1867 the
whole country transferred to this government
for a consideration Of S7,200.000 and it UNDER
stood and agreed by the two nations that in beco-
ing tho purchaser this government promised to pro-
tect all residents well in the future the Russian
government had in the past. For few years some
show OF authority was kept up by keeping Q mill
tary force at Ska and by the in tho waters
of tho coast of floating the beloved stand
ard Of our nation. But all this has been changed.
and for than two the settlement has been
unprotected The number of people at present there
il about seventy, and among them arc some women
aud children. Owing to variety of causes the
tves have begun to show signs of hostility and from
their overwhelming numbers there can be but ono
the of commencing to carry out acts OF vio-
lence In order to get idea of the actual state OF
things In that country this paper has taken occasion
consult with some gentlemen who have business rela-
tons with Sitka, and particularly with who has
just returned to this city after weeks spent in
and around that spot From conversations it ap-
pears that the reports which have come by the last
mail not in the least ovcrdrawn. He gave .,
glowing account OF the natural beauty of the
try OF its excellent harbors its thousands islands
and inexhaustible forests Of mstchless pine.
fir and oak. The mines of gold are
being developed in many quarters. and from
the specimens exhibited and from the essays shown.
they give promise of proving valuable properties.
The facilities for working these unsurpassed.
Fuel is very cheap. the cost of developing the
mines is little when compared to that in this State
in the Territories because labor Is plentiful,
and the expenses of sending up supplies by steamer
is not more than SIS per ton. while by sailing
vessel 1t can be done for IS and the unequalled adj
vantages OF landing and shipping afforded
by the countless harbors, all combine to
Living is reduced almost to q minimum The
waters TEEN with fish and the woods abound with
game from the grizzly bear to the quail in the great
est abundance The supply Of rain IL abundant. and
sets in from Japan. the climate is anything but
In fact this whole country is q virgin soil,
capable of supporting large population OF thrifty
and energetic people, with moderate means, who
need but some protection from the general govern
mcnt to induce them to immigrate thither and to
develop its undoubted resources.