Year: 1870

the contents Of the despatch became public. PrOba
bly, the telegraph s in the hands Of the govern
ment at the other side, some OF the operators dis
closed the thing TO the officials, and hence the
hubbub.


Affairs in Alaska--A Territorial Government


Needed.


Mr.. S. N. Buynitzky, who was appointed special
agent OF the Treasury Department at the Alaska seal
islands In May last returned from the island OF st.
George on Monday last, bearing the report OF Mr..
Charles Bryant also special agent on duty at that
point Mr.. BuynitzKy speaks very highly Of the treat
ment received at the hands or the people Of the
island, ana says that they are ambitious
to consider themselves American citizens.
He was urged by the people Of the
islands Of St. Paul and st. George, as
well as by the residents OF the Alutian group, to
present their claims for such recognition to the
thorities ut Washington. At present they do not
know what to make OF their status, and earnestly
petition that something may be done toward organ
lzing them under territorial form Of government,
with delegate in Congress. Senator Sumner, 1t Is
understood takes great interest In the welfare OF
the people Of new possessions, and Will Introduce
bill into Congress at the next session looking to
their amelioration and advancement. The report
OF Captain Bryant contains much Of interest. He
says





of the sealing islands up to the present date have
briefly to state that have punctually carried out
the programme described IN nay report OF July A.
1870 and have found that the same has been faith
fully executed by Mr.. BuynitZky on the Island OF
st. George. Provisions nave been distributed and
fur seals taken and skins subdvded as set forth In
said report, and may Justly say that the result has
been satisfactory to all parties concerned. Tho
company dong business at the islands had no
motives OF complaint, and the natives have ex-
pressed their entire satisfaction and asked me to
transmit TO the honorable Secretary Of the Trea-
thpir al
the easy terms at which provisions have been sup
piled them. Notwithstanding the novelty OF the
OF paramount Importance claim immediate atten-
tion, and l consider 1t my duty forthwith to
make most urgent representations in regard to the
necessity Of Immediate action of the government to
meet imperative exigencies created by the leasing
OF the islands and the removal of the United States
troops The faithful collection Of nearly $260,00o
of tax in fur seal skins, from the nature OF the bu
siness and the geographical position Of these Islands,
Will principally depend upon the supervision OF the
revenue officers in charge of the sealing islands,
and am convinced 1t will be necessary to have on
each island two ofiicers, Of whom one should De Q
special agent and another as assistant there being
no communication between the two islands but by
means Of the ships coming up TO the islands in sum-
or death Of agent OF the Treasury Ct one OF the
Islands, the interests OF the government at that


q The aSns e. te sne
have been heretofore lodged In houses claimed by
the company. and had 70 board with the com
various reasons, to be made permanent. house
should he built on each island fer the accommoda-
tion OF government officers and this may be done
ct an expense Of say 81, 900 per dwelling which is
but trining sam. considering the prospective i'm
portance Of the revenue to be collected for the
twenty years. donation OF the lease. The removal
Of the I'm ted States troops from the islands and the
recall Herewith Of these contract doctors
leaves both communities exposed TO all
chances OF disease, so frequent In this &C.
we're climate, without any medical assistance. The
terms on which the ALASKA commercial company
has obtained the lease leave no margin for any I'm
provements In the situation Of the natives outside
Of the obligations actually imposed on the company.
On the other hand the rate Of taxation upon the
seal SKINS the only industry OF the inhabitants OF the
sealing islands, and the fact Of their being deprived
OF the benet OF free competition of trade seems to
entitle them. to some special compensation
on the part OF the government. beg
leave to suggest that yearly appropriation OF
5000 be asked for, 70 be equally divided between
tue TWO islands, for compensation Of learned and
experienced medical practitioners and contingent
expenses, and an appropriation Of $4,000 for the
purpose OF providing suitable buildings Tor hospt-
tails and the dwellings, OF the doctors


In conclusion, l take pleasure in bringing to
9he notice OF the department o fact witnessed
by me on my last visit to the Island OF