47-2Naval AffairsCorrespondence with Naval Officers in
Alaska. [2103] 1882
Threatened aggressions of Indians;
Indian education.1882-30

House of Representatives Executive Document No. 17, 47th Congress, 2nd Session (1882)

English

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47THCONGREss,} HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 2d Session. {Ex. Doc. No.17. CORRESPONDENCE WITH U. S. NAVAL OFFICERS IN ALASKA. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, IN RESPONSE TO A resolution of the House of Representatives transmitting correspon.dence with United States naval officers in Alasknn 'Wa,ters. DECEMBER 13, 1882.-Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and ordered to be printed. NAVY DEPARTJ.\'IENT, Washington, December 11, 1882. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an attested copy of a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives on the 8th instant, as follows: That the Secretary of the Navy be d]rect,ed to communicate to this House, as far as may be compatible with the intere~;ts of the public service, all instructions given to, and correspondence had with, Commanders Henry Glass and E. P. Lull, United States Navy, whilst they were on duty in the United States ships Jamestown and 'Vachu-sett in Alaska 'vaters. In compliance therewith, I respectfully submit the following described copies of intstructions given to Commanders Henry Glass and E. P. Lull in relation to affairs in Alaska, and a copy of a report from Commander· Glass: A.-Letter of the Acting Secretary of the Navy (dated January 27,. 1881) to Commander Glass, with reference to an officer of the United States Government visiting Alaska for the purpose of making inquiries respecting the number and condition of the people, &c. B.-Order of the Secretar,y of the Navy (dated AprilS, 1881) to Com-mander Lull, to proceed with the United States steamship Wachusett to Sitka, Alaska, and relieve the United States steamship ,Jamestown. C.-Order of the Secretary of the Navy (dated AprilS, 1881) to Com-mander Glass to return to the navy-~rarcl, Mare Island, California, with the Jamestown. D.-Letter of the Secretary of the Navy (dated June 15, lSSl) to Com-mander I..~ull to maintain the order of things established by Commauder Glass. E.-Additional orders from the Secretary of the Navy (dated June 28, 1881) to Commander Lull to proceed with the Wachusett to Sitka. F.-Letter of the Secretary of the NaYy (dated July 11, 1881) to Com-mander Glass, approving l1is action in the cases of Nicholson Deru and Henr,y Imhof, residents of Alaska, :charged with attempt to commit murder. 2 CORRESPONDEKCE WITH U. S. NAVAL OFFLCERS I:\' ALASKA. G.-Letter of the Secretary of the Navy (dated .luly 13, 1881) to Comniander Glass, appro,,iug his measures to preserve order, to promote the education of Indians, and to maintain friendly relations between the Indians and the whites. H.-Copy of report of Commander Glass (dated :1\Iarch 0, 1882) to the Secreta,ry of the Navy, of the condition of affairs in Alaska. (This is the only report from Commander Glass which was received after those communicated to the Honse of Representatives February 24, 1882.) In connection with this subject, I haYe the honor also to transmit the following described copies of communications from the Secretary of the Navy to Commander L.A. Beardslee (tbe predecessor of Commander Glass in command of the Jamestown), for the reason that Commanders Glass and Lull were, in a great measure, acting in pursuance of the wishes of the department as expressed in its correspondence with Com-mander Beardslee. I.-Original instructions from the Secretary of the N ayy (dated May 8, 1879) to Commander Bearrlslee. K. L. M.-Letters of the Secretary of theN avy (dated J u1y 26, August 9, and October 30, respecth ... ely) to Comrr1ander Beardslee, approving of his course in Alaska. N.-Letter of the Secretary of the Navy (dated Jan nary 17, 1880) regarding the pre-emption of lands in Alaska on lots occupied by the public authorities. For a full history of the operations of Commanders Beardslee, Glass, and Lull iu Alaska, I beg leave to refer to the following named printed executive documents: Forty-sixth Congress, second session, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 105. Re-Illy of the Secretary of the Navy, under date of March 3, 1880, to a resolution of the Senate of February 26, 1880. Forty-feventh Congress, first session, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 71. Reply of the Secretary of the Navy, under date of January 19, 1882, to a resolution of the Senate of Jan nary 18, 1882. Forty-seYenth Congress, first session, Honse of Representatives Ex. Doc. No. 81. Reply of the Secretary of the Navy, under da,t,e of Feb-ruary 24, 1882, to a resolution of the Honse of RepresentatiYes of Feb-ruary 1, 188~. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Ron. J. WARREN KEIFER, WM. E. CHANDLER, Secretary of the N a,v y. Spea.ker of tlte House of Representatives. A. NAVY DEPABTMENT, January 27, 1881. Snc In accordance with the request of the honorable Secretary of the Interior, the department directs that you will inform the people of Alaska with whom you may come into commnuication that an officer of the United States Government will visit that country in the spring, for the purpose of making inquiries respecting the num-ber and condition of the people, &c. The officer referred to is Mr. Iran Petroff, special agent of the Censns Office for Alaska, and you will please do all in your power to facilitate his work. Very respectfully, Commander HENHY GLASS, Commandin!J C. S. S. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska. WM. N. JEFFERS, Acting Secretar!l of the Na'V!I· CORRESPONDENCE WITH U. S. NAVAL OFFICERS IN ALASKA. 3 B. NAYY DEPARTMENT, .dp·ril 8, 1881. SIR: When the United States steamer 'Vachusett, under your command, is in all respects ready for sea, you will proceed with her to Sitka, Alaska. On arrival there yon will confer ·with Commander Glass, commanding the Jamestown, and having re-ceived from him the original instructions to the Jamestown, all unexecuted orders, and such information of amtirs as he can impart, you wHl render all needful aid to the Jamestown to pt·epare her to return to San Francisco. The department desires that you will acgnaint yonrselfwith affairs in the Territory of Alaska, and will look out for the interests of citizens of the United States and the government, and render such protection and assistance as may be required. You will -learn ti·om Commander Glass what has been done since the arrival of the Jamestown at Sitka, and will take such further steps, within the limit of your authority as au officer of the Navy, as may, in yourjudgment and discretion,seemlctwfulandpropcr. Asopportunityo:ffers, you will visit other important points in Alaska, hesides Sitk[L, and wm, from time to time, communicate to the department the condition of a:ffa.irs. Very respectfully, Commander ED-WARD P. LULL, WM. H. HUNT, Secretary of the Navy. Commandi-ny U. S. S. Wachttsett, Navy-Ya1·d, Mm·e Island, Cal. c. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Ap1·il 8, 1881. Sm: On the arrival of the U.S. S. Wachusett at Sitka, you will . transfer to Com-mander Lull the original instructions to the Jamestown, all unexecuted orders, and impart to him all information within your knowledge of the condition of affairs at Alaska, ancl of what has been done since the arrh·al of the Jamestown at Sitka. When the Jamestown is in all respects ready for sea, yon wilL proceed with her to tlto navy-yard, Mare Island, Cal. Very respectfully, Commander HENl~Y GLASS, Co1nmanding U. S. S. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska. D. \VM. H. HUNT, 8eorefm'!i of the Navy. NAYY DI<~PARTMENT, Ju11e 15, 1881. 8m: It is desirable, unless you have strong reason for other action, that you should maintain the order of things which Commander Glass, your predecessor, saw :fit toes-t!l.blish in Alaskat · Very respectfully, Commander EDWARD P. LULL, WM. H. HUNT, Secretary of the Navy. Commanlling U.S. S. Wachusett, Navy-Ya1·d, Mare Island, Cal. E. NAYY lJ.t~PAWl':MENT , Washington, D. C., June 28, 1881. Sm: As soon as your vessel is ready for sea, you will proceetl tp Sitka, Alaska, and relieve the United States steamer Jamestown, receiving from the commanding officer of that vessel all orders which have been hitherto sent him hy the department, by which you will be O"Overned until otherwise directed. You will hasteu the sailing of the Jamestown ft·om Sitka. It is necessary for her to a.rri\·e at Mare Island and for her homeward voyage as soon as possible. Vrry respert.fully, Commander l~DW.\l:D P. Luu., WM. H. HUNT, Secretary of the Navy. Commandilt!J U. 8. S. H'arhu.<Jelf., 1\'(tt:!J- Yard, )fare J.~laud~ ( 'at. 4 CORRESPONDENCE WITH U. S. NAVAL OFFICERS IN ALASKA. P. NAVY DIYPART:\IENT, Washington, July 11, 1881. Sm: I have received your dispatch No. 16, reporting that on the 6th ultimo you caused the arrest of Nicholas Deru and Henry Imhof, residents of Sitka, on a charge of attempting to commit murder in that place, and that they, with James Taylor, a discharged seaman, are held in confinement a>vaiting instructions from the depart-· ment. Your action in this matter is approved by the department. In the absence of any legally constituted judicial tribunals, the peace and good order uf society demand that the naval authority in control of the Territory should interpose its power to . maintain the protection of the lives, persons, and property of individuals within its reach. You will keep these men in confinement so long as in your judgment the in-te;rests of peace and good order in the settlement require their imprisonment. Very respectfully, Commander HENRY GLASS, U. S. N., Commanding U. S. S. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska. G. WM. H. HUNT, Secreta1'y of the Navy. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, Jnly 13, 1881. Sm: Your No. 15, dated the 16th ultimo, reporting the condition of affairs in Alaska, has been received with its several inclosures. The department is gratified with your statement of the steadily improving condi-tion of the Indians in the Territory, aml approves of your measures to preserve order, to promote the education of the Indians, and to establish friendly relations between them and the whites. Commander Lull has been instructed to preserve, as far as possible, unless there is sound cause for changing it, the condition of things as established by you. Very respectfully, WILLIAM H. HUNT, Sem·etm·y of the Navy. Commander HENRY GLASS, U. S. N. Commanding U. S. ~. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska Territory. H. UNITED STATES STEA:iVIER WACHUSETT (3d rate), Sitka, Alaska Territory, Ma1·ch 6, 1882. SIR: I have the honor to report that on my arrival on this station, in obedience to orders transmitted through the commandant of Mare Isiand navy-yard, I find that perfect quiet and good order exist in all parts of this Territory, no change whatever in the situation of affairs having occurred since the date of my last report. On the passage from Fort Simpson to Fort Wrangel, I met the revenue steamer Oliver Wolcott, and was informed by her commanding officer, and by the deputy col-lector of customs at Fort Wrangel, who was a passenger on board, that during the absence of the Wachusett from Alaska no circumstances had occnrred which would warrant fears of any trouble on the part of the Indians in the Territory. These statements are fully indorsed by Collector Morris at this port, who also informs me that an idle rumor becoming current in the mining camp at Juneau City, of threatened aggression on the part of the Indians, all the chiefs went promptly to the leading men in the camp, assuring them of their support in suppressing any possible disturbance. The boilers of this vessel needing certain repairs, which the shortness of her stay at San Francisco did not permit, and the need of which is becoming daily more urgent, she will be detained at Sitka four or five weeks, after which I propose visiting other ·portions of the Territory. From the inclement weather experjenced on tbe passage from San Francisco, the officers and men were necessarily subjected to very great exposure at times, but I am glad to report the health of the ship's company good. Very respectfully, &c., Ron. WILLIAM H. HuNT, Secretary of the Navy. HENRY GLASS, Cornrnande1·, Cornmanding. CORRESPONDENCE WITH U. S. NAVAL OFJ;'ICERS IN ALASKA. 5 I. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, May 8, 1879. SIR: As soon as tlle Jamestown, under your command, is in all respects ready for sea, you will proceed with her to Sitka, Alaska, and relieve the U. S. S. Alaska at that place, and remain there until further orrlers. You will communicate with the department from time to time, as opportunity offers, as to affairs in that Territory, looking out for the interests of citizens of tlle United States, and rendering tllem such protection as may be required. On your way to Sitka you will make such ~oundings and hydrographic examina-tions as the nature of the route and existing charts will suggest. While at the station you will execute surveys and examinations of harbors, islands, shoals, &c., as far as the nature of the service and available means will permit, for which purpose the Bureau of Navigation will prepare and forward.to you the necessary memoranda and directions from time to time. All hydrographic data thus to be obtained will be forwarded to the Bureau of Navigation, retaining copies on board. Very respectfully, Commander L. A. BEARDSLEE, U. S. N., R. W. THOMPSON, Secreta1'y of the Navy. Commanding U. S. S. Jamestown, Navy-Yard, Ma1·e Island, Californict. K. NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 26, ltl79. SIR: Your communication of the 23d ultimo, reporting state of affairs in Sitka, has been received. The department entirely approves of what you have done, and submits the future of your action to your discretion until something shall occur to render specific in-structions necessary. It is believed that at the next session of Congress such an organization of Alaska will be authorized as shall designate the necessary civil officers to protect the person and property of citizens. In other words, the government will not neglect to extend its authority over Alaska in such manner as shall secure to the people there all the rights it assumed to protect when the country was acquired. In the mean time, the department bas full confidence in your wisdom, capacity, and dis-cretion to dispose of such matters as may require yourintervention during your stay in Sitka. If anything shonld occur rendering more specific instructions necessary they will be forwarded, either by mail or by telegraph, to Victoria. The department is grntified at being informed of the good health of yourself and the other officers and men of the Jamestown, and has given the necessary instructions to the proper bureau to furnish the articles needed by you. Very respectfully, Commander L.A. BEARDSLEE, U.S.N., R. W. THOMPSON, Secretary of the Na1:y. Comrnanding U.S. S. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska Territory. L. NAVY DEPARTl\fE~T, A11!JUSt 9, 1879. SIR: Your letters oftbe 9th and 15th of July last, inclosing report of Ensign N. R. Ursher, on trip to \Vrangel and return, in search for tbe Pacific Mail steamer Califor-nia, supposed at the date of starting to have met with an accident, and forwarding statement of Lieut. J. Burwell in regard to the causes which induced the citizens of Alaska to telegraph to the President for relief and protection, have been received. In reply thereto, you are informed that the department is gratified at your success, and hopeR you will be able to carry out your purposes. Your course JS approved, and you and your officers and men are entitled to the thanks of the department. Very respectfully, Commander L.A. BEARDSLEE, U.S.N., C~rmnancling U. S. S. Jarncstoll:n, Sitka, Alaska. H. Ex.17--2 R. W. THOMPSON, Secreta1·y of the Nm,y. 6 CORRESPONDENCE WITH U. S. NAVAL OFFICERS IN ALASKA. M. :HAVY DEPARTMENT, Octobel' 30, 1879. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th and 8th ultimo, and a telegram of the 15th ultimo, and a letter without date in reference to affairs in Alaska. The department remains of the opinion heretofore expressed that you are doing all in your power, and doing it for the best. There is nothing shown in the condition of affairs that the department does not apJlrove, and has full confidence that you and the officers of the Jamestown will con-tinue to perform all their duties satisfactorily and well. Very respectfully, Commander L. A. BEARDSLEE, U. S. S. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska. N. R. W. THOMPSON, Secretary of the Nat'Y· NAVY DEPARTMENT, Janum·y 17, 1880. SIR: Your letter of the 19th ult. in regard to the rights of pre-emption of publidands-at Sitka, Alaska, has been received. Your course in reference to the pre-emption of lands on lots occupied by the public anthorities is approved. You are not expected to resort to force in such cases as those referred to, but will, as you have done, notify settlers that such lands are occupied exclusively for the use of the United States. · As regards other lands, the department is of opinion that they cannot be embraced within the pre-emption laws of the United States, but upon this subject you will leave the collector to act upon his own responsibility; a decision in regard to questions of this kind, does not properly pertain to the jurisdiction of the commanding officer of the James town. Whether parties whose claims are recorded by the collector get their titles hereafter must depend upon what Congres smay do in regard to this matter. Very respectfully, Commander L.A. BEARDSLEE, U.S.N., R. W. THOMPSON, Secreta'ry of the Navy. Commanding U.S. S. Jamestown, Sitka, Alaska. 0 / , 

Correspondence with U. S. naval officers in Alaska. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy, in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives transmitting correspondence with United States naval officers in Alaskan waters.

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Correspondence with U. S. naval officers in Alaska. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy, in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives transmitting correspondence with United States naval officers in Alaskan waters.

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