ALASKA.

Area,
Population,

577,390 Square Miles. 75,000 (including 65,000 Indians).

THE Territory of Alaska comprises that portion of North America lying north of the parallel of 54° 40′ N. latitude, and west of the meridian of 141° W. longitude. Within these limits are included many islands lying along the coast, and extending west from the main land.

The boundaries are as follows: Commencing at 54° 40' N. latitude, ascending Portland Channel to the mountains, following their summits to the 141° west longitude; thence north, on this line, to the Arctic Ocean, forming the eastern boundary. Starting from the Arctic Ocean west, the line descends Behring's Strait, between the two islands of Krusenstern and Ratmanoff, to the parallel of 65° 30′, and proceeds due north without limitation, into the same Arctic Ocean. Beginning again at the same initial point, on the parallel of 65° 30', thence in a course southwest through Behring's Strait, between the island of St. Lawrence and Cape Choukotski to the 172° west longitude; and thence south westerly, through Behring's sea, between the islands of Attou and Copper, to the meridian of 193° west longitude; leaving the prolonged group of the Aleutian islands in the possessions now transferred to the United States, and making the western boundary of our country the dividing line between Asia and America.

"With the exception of the narrow strip extending in a southeast direction along the coast nearly 400 miles, and the remarkable peninsula of Alaska, it forms a tolerably compact mass, with an average length and breadth of about 600 miles each. Its greatest length, north and south, from the southern extremity of Alaska to Point Bar

row, is about 1100 miles; its greatest breadth, measured on the Arctic Circle, which passes through Cape Prince of Wales, is about 800 miles; the longest line that can be drawn across the country is from Cape Prince of Wales to its southern extremity, latitude 54° 40', a distance of about 1600 miles. Estimated area, 394,000 square miles. The part of the mainland south of Mount St. Elias consists of a narrow belt, which is continued along a mountain ridge parallel to the coast, and has nowhere a greater width than about 33 miles. The interior of the country is very little known; but from several expeditions, it appears that throughout its western part it is elevated and uneven, while the part extending along the Arctic Ocean is invariably flat, with the exception of a small portion lying between 141° and 152° W. longitude. The coasts of the mainland and the islands have almost all been carefully explored. The northern coast was first discovered in the course of the present century. Captain Cook, in 1778, during his last voyage, reached Icy Cape, latitude 70° 20′ N., and 161° 46′ W.; and it was supposed, from the large masses of ice there met with, even in summer, that further progress was impossible. In 1826, however, Captain Beechy proceeded east as far as North Cape, or Point Barrow, latitude 71° 23' 31" N., longitude 156° 21' 32" W.; while at the same time the lamented Sir John Franklin, then Captain Franklin, traced the coast west from the mouth of the Mackenzie to Return Reef, latitude 70° 26' N., longitude 148° 52′ W. The intervening space between Point Barrow and Return Reef was first explored in 1837, by Dease and Simpson, officers of the Hudson's Bay Company.

"The whole of the northern coast of Russian America, from Demarcation Point west to Point Barrow, its northernmost extremity, stretches with tolerable regularity in a west-northwest direction, and is, with the exception of a small part in the east, a dead flat, often nearly on a level with the sea, and never more than from 10 to 20 feet above it. From Point Barrow the coast takes a uniform direction, from northeast to southwest, rising gradually towards Cape Lisburn, which is 850 feet high. It here turns south, forming, between the two large inlets of Kotzebue Sound and Norton Sound, the remarkable peninsula of Prince of Wales, which projects into Behring's Strait, and terminates in an elevated promontory, forming the northwestern part of North America. From Norton Sound it turns first southwest, then south-southeast, becoming indented by several large bays, including those of Bristol Bay and Cook's Inlet, on the opposite of the long and narrow peninsula of Alaska; and is lined almost throughout by

several groups of large islands, of which the most important belong to the Aleutian, Kodiak, and King George III. Archipelagoes. The greater part of the coast last described is very bold, presenting a suċcession of lofty volcanic peaks."

The interior has been very little explored. The latest discoveries were made by the party engaged in surveying the route for the overland telegraph to Russia.

InThe coast line of the Territory is about 4000 miles in extent. cluding bays and rivers it exceeds 11,000 miles. The peninsula of Alaska is 300 miles in length, with an average breadth of 50 miles. The Aleutian Islands are the summits of a mountain range, which extends northward on the American coast, around the head of Prince William and Cook's Inlet, and down the peninsula of Alaska. They form a perfect curve southward, westward, and northward, from the extremity of the peninsula to Behring's Island, a distance of 1075 miles, and constitute the most wonderful range of volcanic islands in the Western World. The six largest are all inhabited. The southern sides of these islands are generally steep and without indentation, consequently the inhabitants dwell on the north side, where the harbors are good. The islands have an area of from 350 to 1500 square miles. They are Ounimak, Ounalaska, Oumnak, Atkha, Amchitka, and Attou. Ounalaska has 700 inhabitants; the others each about half that number. In Behring's Sea are the islands of St. Lawrence and Noumbak, each possessing an area of more than 2000 square miles.

There are several rivers in the Territory. The principal stream is the Yukon, which flows into Behring's Sea, south of Norton's Sound. The Russians gave the name of Kwichpak to the lower part of this river. Like the Mississippi it discharges its waters through a number of mouths, and its "delta" embraces nearly two degrees of latitude. It is 2000 miles long, is navigable for nearly 1500 miles, and is free from ice between the middle of May and the middle of October.

The mountains are high and imposing. The height of Mount St. Elias is estimated at from 15,000 to 18,000 feet. Although situated 40 miles from the coast, it is seen at sea at a distance of 100 miles from the land. Mount Fairweather is 100 miles to the southeast of it, and is almost as high. Several active volcanoes, some of which are 10,000 feet high, lie within the Territory.

The climate is variable, but is milder than that of the same latitudes on the Atlantic coast. "The investigations which have attended and followed the change in the political relations of the country, have

developed some new facts with regard to it. The great extent of the Territory gives it a corresponding variety of climate, but the mean temperature is but little colder than that of Maine and New Brunswick, owing to the thermal current from the shores of Asia; the atmosphere is very humid, and a large quantity of rain falls in winter. The interior has been but litle explored, and is an almost unknown wilderness, the haunt of the Indians, and of the fur-bearing animals. Along many of the streams there is an abundance of timber, mostly of pine. The agricultural resources of the country form a very inconsiderable item in an account of its value as an acquisition to the United States, yet the districts along the coast are capable of yielding, in moderate quantities, the cereal grains and the more valuable vegetables of the temperate zone. The precious metals are known to exist there, but it is a fact of more importance that iron and coal are found in considerable abundance, and can be obtained at no very great expense. Two mines have for some time been successfully worked on the Aleutian Islands, and, with the iron works which they supply, are of great importance to vessels needing repair and in want of fuel. The principal value of the Territory of Alaska, for the present, will

depend on its fisheries and its fur productions. The supply of furs is on the decrease, owing to the active traffic which had been carried on in that commodity, but the fisheries are inexhaustible. Salmon abound in the rivers, and cod and halibut on the coasts. Whales and walrus are plentiful in the seas to the south of Behring's Strait."

There are about 10,000 persons, besides Indians, in the Territory, including the military force stationed there. These consist of Americans, who have gone there since the purchase, Russians, Creoles, Kodiaks, and Aleoots. The native or Indian inhabitants, some 65,000 in number, dwell principally along the coast and rivers, where fish and game are plentiful. They learn quickly, and exhibit a decided aptitude for commerce and the mechanic arts. They show great skill in fashioning their rude instruments of warfare and domestic utensils. Many of them, however, are vagabondish, and bear an unenviable reputation.

There is as yet no organized civil government for the Territory. The Government of the United States maintains and exercises its authority through the military force stationed at Sitka and other places. During the last session of Congress, an unsuccessful effort was made to organize Alaska as a county of Washington Territory.

This extensive Territory, formerly known as Russian America, was granted by the Emperor Paul VIII., of Russia, in July, 1799, to a Russian-American Fur Company. In 1867, it was purchased by the United States from the Emperor of Russia, for the sum of $7,200,000. In July, 1868, Congress extended over the Territory the laws of the United States relating to customs, commerce, and navigation, and established a collection district. In August, 1868, the military district of Alaska was established, and attached to the Department of California.

SITKA, or, NEW ARCHANGEL, on the island of Sitka, is the seat of Government. It contains a population of about 500 Russians, Cossacks, and Creoles, besides the garrison, and there are about 1000 Indians in the vicinity. It has but one street, with straggling log houses. It contains the "Governor's House," now the headquarters of the military commander, a Greek church, a Lutheran chapel, and the buildings of the Russian-American Fur Company.

"The town is situated on a low strip of land, the Governor's House rising on a rocky height 100 feet or so above the general level. Snow-capped and peaked mountains, and thickly wooded hills sur