USA > Alaska > Alaska: its history and resources, gold fields, routes and scenery > Part 11
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International complications have not been unknown, it is true, but it is submitted that this country has been fair, reasonable and placable, always, in dealing with questions of comity, com- merce or privileges with other nations. In the matter of the fur seal dispute with England, the defeat suffered by our govern- ment, is yet fresh in the minds of all our citizens. The award
I20
ALASKA.
made by the Paris tribunal seems to us to be most unjust, and yet, as an advanced civilized nation, our honor would be impugned were it not strictly adhered to. No nation worthy of the name can afford to besmirch its reputation by any attempt to repudiate a solemn compact. Hardly had the decision of the Paris tribu- nal been handed down, before the attention of the country was called to a matter in which England again became the aggressor, and that too, in connection with the territory of Alaska. This is the so-called boundary dispute between Canada and the United States, embracing a portion of Southeastern Alaska. While the British and Canadian authorities have been active, our government and people have shown an apathetic spirit in deal- ing with the question; but it is now noted that attention is being directed to it, largely through the instrumentality of citizens of Alaska and the State of Washington who are conversant with the question, and of the importance of this strip of territory, from commercial and geographical aspects, being retained to the northern territory and to the United States. We believe that it is time for a re-enunciation of the patriotic principle contained in the Monroe doctrine, if our self respect as a nation cannot be otherwise maintained -" that the United States will not permit European interference or European control in America, north or south."
In view of the importance of this question to the United States, and especially to Alaska, it is in order here to consider the subject in its various details. The claim made by the British government, acting at the instance of Canada, embraces a valtı- able strip of land, a portion of which is the key to a vast extent of the interior of Alaska, rich in mineral and other resources. Though the immense value of this land cannot be accurately determined, a knowledge of its geographical position on the coast, shows that great commercial advantages will accrue from its possession, and that the United States cannot afford to be otherwise than firm and aggressive, in asserting and maintaining our rights to ownership of this strip.
By the organic act of Alaska, in the absence of the governor, the clerk of the court shall act in that capacity. Upon the assembling of Congress last December, the governor was called to Washington, and soon after he left Sitka, the disputed bound- ary question was given new impetus, by the appearance of a party of Canadian surveyors at Juneau, whom it was reported
121
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
HON. CHARLES D. ROGERS.
were to immediately commence a survey into the interior via the Taku river, and that this action was to be followed by the estab- lishment of a British garrison in Alaskan territory. Acting Governor Rogers said he would call out the militia and swear into service the whole native population of Alaska, if any at- tempt was made to occupy any portion of our territory, or inter- fere in any way with the rights of American citizens. This burst of patriotism on the part of the young official earned for him the title of war governor of Alaska, and had there been any cause for such action, the sturdy miners and settlers throughout the territory, to a man, would have rallied to his support.
An interpretation of the treaty, concluded between Russia and England in 1825, clearly establishes the line of demarkation between what is now Alaska, and what constitutes a portion of Canada.
This treaty was brought about, primarily, by a ukase of the
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ALASKA.
Russian Czar, issued in 1821, to the effect, that foreign vessels would not be allowed to approach within one hundred miles of Russian America. Negotiations followed this ukase, resulting in the treaty between Russia and England in 1825, wherein Russia accepted 54 degrees and 40 minutes north latitude as the south- ern limit of her possessions. The treaty was couched in the following language:
"Sec. 3. The line of demarkation between the possessions of the high contracting parties upon the coast of the continent and the islands of America to the northwest, shall be drawn in the following manner: Commencing from the southernmost point of the island called Prince of Wales Island, which point lies in the parallel of 54 degrees 40 minutes north latitude, and between the 131 and 133 degrees of west longitude: the same line shall ascend to the north along the channel called Portland channel as far as the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th degree of north latitude: from this last mentioned point the line of demarkation shall follow the summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast, as far as the point of intersection of the 141 degree of west longitude (of the same meridian), and finally, from the said point of intersection of the 141 degree, in its prolongation as far as the frozen ocean, shall form the limit be- tween the Russian and British possessions on the continent of America to the northwest.
"Sec. 4. That wherever the summit of the mountains which extend in a direction parallel to the coast, from the 56 degree of north latitude to the point of intersection of the 141 degree of west longitude, shall prove to be at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the limit between the British possessions and the line of coast which is to belong to Russia as above mentioned, shall be formed by a line parallel to the wind- ings of the coast, and which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues therefrom."
It will be noted that at the time of the purchase of Russian America by the United States, in 1867, the limits of the territory were described in the articles of cession by Russia, in the exact language which appears in this treaty above referred to. It will also be observed that the name Portland canal is mentioned as the eastern boundary as far north as the fifty-sixth degree north latitude.
At the time of the treaty between Russia and England little
123
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
was known of this region, save through the explorations of Captain George Vancouver. In his narrative published towards the close of the last century, he speaks of Portland canal, and also located a certain rock in Behm canal, and named it "New Eddystone Rock," after the rock near the south coast of England upon which stands the famous Eddystone light-house known to mariners the world over. The Alaska rock, "New Eddystone," is two hundred and fifty feet high and about sixty feet in width at its base.
When the treaty of 1825 was made, England recognized the claim of Russia to the territory as far east as Portland canal, and continued this recognition until the purchase was made by the United States in 1867. For more than twenty years preceding the treaty the Hudson Bay Company paid Russia an annual rental for the privilege of trading in the inland waters to the northwest of Portland canal, and our government maintained a garrison at Fort Tongas at the mouth of this canal until 1870 and a custom house until 1889.
The maps issued by the United States since the Alaska pur- chase and those published by the British authorities, followed generally the same line of demarkation, until the year 1887. At that time a change was noticed in the British maps, for their line was then made to extend within the limits defined by the maps of our government. Hence, it is only fair to infer, that when this strip of land became better known to England, and its value more or less accurately determined, a first attempt was made to set up a claim to the territory, through the medium of maps published by the British government.
And the claim once set up, it may be further inferred that in any negotiations which should follow, England would rely upon the power of British craft and diplomacy to win both the point and the territory. The policy pursued by the English govern- ment in this matter, is entirely in keeping with the method of aggrandizement that has been followed for hundreds of years by Great Britain.
The line of demarkation followed by the United States ex- tended ten marine leagues back from salt water into the interior, claiming a strict interpretation of the articles of cession from Russia, whose language was construed to mean ten marine leagues or thirty-four miles inland from every point, whether bay or inlet, where salt water washed the shores of the mainland,
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ALASKA.
unless a defined range of mountains intervened running parallel with the coast, in which case, the summit of such range became the limit.
The Britishi claim, that where the summit of the mountains are not within the ten marine league limit, the boundary shall be that distance from the main channels of water. They also claim that the eastern boundary shall run due north from the southern- most point of Prince of Wales Island, until it intersects Behm canal; thence following this channel north as far as the fifty- sixth degree of north latitude; thence following the line of the coast to the intersection of the 141 degree of west longitude. Nowhere along the coast between Portland canal and Mt. St. Elias does there appear to be a defined range of mountains, but rather a confused jumble, having no regularity of course or bear- ing any relation to each other, and the noble peak, Mt. St. Elias, that defines the boundary between the British possessions and our territory at the 141 degree of west longitude, stands solitary and alone in its awe inspiring magnificence.
By reference to the map, it will be observed that in taking Portland canal as the eastern limit, an castwird course must be followed from the southernmost point of Prince of Wales Island, in order to reach said canal. It will also be noted, that from the extreme northern limit of Portland canal, to the nearest salt water -- that of Walker cove, an arm of Behm canal -it is about thirty-four miles. It is therefore fair to presume that in taking the canal for a boundary, it was with a view of measuring from the inland waters, and not the main channels. It is also worthy of note, that, if it was not intended to take this canal for the eastern boundary, it would not have been necessary to have mentioned it in the treaty, and the simple reference, due north, would have been all that was necessary to convey the intent.
It is also claimed by the British, that this canal could not have been intended, because it does not extend to the 56 degree. It is true that it does not reach that point by about one mile, but if it were five or even ten miles shorter, it would not be any stronger argument for the other side, for, in the language of the treaty, "the same line shall ascend to the north along the chan- nel called Portland channel as far as the point of the continent where it strikes the 56 degree," the line is what is intended should strike the 56 degree, and not the channel. Should, then, the claim of Great Britain be finally allowed, she will acquire a
125
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
strip of country seventy-five by one hundred miles in extent be- tween Portland and Behm canals, which rightfully belongs to the United States.
While stress is laid upon the encroachments that this bound- ary line of the British would make upon our eastern coast, it cannot be too clearly demonstrated, that where their boundary line deflects westward at about 58 degrees, forty minutes north, and thence follows to the 136 degree of west longitude, and there takes a southwesterly course to Mt. St. Elias, is to be found a strip of coast territory upon which the natural greed of England has particularly set its eye.
This coast land furnishes the outlet to the great interior of Alaska, and it is the only available entrance to its immense gold fields. Ever since the interior country has presented a field for the gold prospector, miners have gone over the mountains from the head of Lynn canal, and when the time comes, as it surely will, within the next few years, to construct a railroad into the valley of the Yukon, and on to Bering sea; our government must not lose sight of the fact that the contour of the country will cause it to start from the head of Lynn canal, in an overland route, where no abrupt mountains obstruct the way.
The British claim to this one hundred square miles of terri- tory would also include Glacier Bay, the most wonderful body of water in the world. It is about twenty miles wide by forty long. Ten other glaciers beside the celebrated Muir glacier pour their huge bodies into this magnificent bay, and then move on through channels many fathoms deep out into the sea. Snow-clad moun- tains with their deep ravines, moraines and mountainous gorges fringe the bay on all sides, and help to form one of the most enchanting and delightful spots that the imagination can conceive.
It is well known that a foreign ship cannot land passengers on American soil without conforming to certain laws, and as long as Glacier Bay is in United States territory, British ships can- not transport tourists traveling over Canadian roads and land them in this bay. Neither can foreign ships discharge foreign goods in American territory without observing certain customs regulations. But if the English should acquire territory inside any of the inland waters of Lynn canal, or Taku inlet, twelve miles south of Juneau, they could establish stations, construct trails or wagon routes into the interior, and it is safe to say would control the trade of that region.
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ALASKA.
Thus it is clearly apparent that many reasons which do not appear on the surface, besides the mere desire to acquire a strip of land, cause England to push her claim to a settlement of the boundary question in her favor.
Should the gold fields of the interior develop to the extent anticipated, a large emigration is sure to come hither, and in its wake will follow the growth of mining and other resources, and commerce will reach vast proportions.
The point sought to have been reached during our controversy with England over the northern boundary of the then territory of Oregon, which gave rise to the cry " fifty-four forty or fight," is the point where our Alaskan possessions begin, and had Alaska, at that time been ours, we might not have weakly receded from our position, and the stretch of country which to-day lies between the State of Washington and Alaska, might furnish the missing link in the continuous chain of our coast line from Lower Cali- fornia to the frozen ocean.
Petty and unworthy of the grandeur of a nation upon whose empire the sun never sets, may seem the narrative which we now desire to present, as another of the many reasons why England is seeking to make good her claim to this territory. Little things have 'ere this made the great covetous.
Some thirty-eight years ago, a young Englishman named William Duncan landed at Fort Simpson, about seven miles south of the Alaskan boundary. He came alone, knowing nothing of the people among whom he was about to cast his lot, but at the early age of twenty-one, solemnly dedicated his life to the cause of raising from barbarism a race, whose frequent acts of cannibal- ism stamped them as among the most savage people on the face of the earth.
Fort Simpson was, for many years, one of the most important trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company. It is truly said that the number of bear skins necessary for a native to purchase a muzzle-loading rifle depended upon the number, piled one upon another, that it took to reach the muzzle of the gun, when the butt end rested on the ground. The agents of this company were safely quartered behind stockades, within which enclosure only a certain number of natives were ever admitted at one time. Yet this dauntless youth, filled with the spirit of the Master, and full of confidence in an over-ruling Providence, dwelt in a cabin, through the sides of which there were no port-holes, and within
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NEW METLAKAHTLA.
LaRoche Photo, Seattle, Wash.
I27
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
whose walls no rifle was at hand in case of an attack from outside.
Metlakahtla was the village that Mr. Duncan established more than a third of a century ago. There eight hundred natives lived and prospered. Taught by their devoted friend, they sawed logs, built houses, canned salmon, and engaged in nearly every branch of business that would utilize the products of the coun- try. A church edifice, that would do credit to many a larger white settlement, reared its spire heavenward, and every man, woman and child in the settlement regularly sought religious consolation there.
But a representative of the Church of England appeared among them, and insisted that that portion of the sacrament, wherein wine is administered, and which Mr. Duncan had ignored, should be observed. His reason for not carrying out this important tenet of the church, was that he had found his greatest trouble in teaching the natives to avoid intoxicating drinks ; and he reasoned, that if he permitted wine at the sacra- ment, his people would not understand why they should not indulge in liquor, at other times.
Mr. Duncan's prejudice in this matter was so strong that he said if his course were not permitted, he would take his people, like the pilgrims of old, to some place where they could exercise religious liberty, untrammeled by church dogmas. The church ruling was insistant, and Mr. Duncan, equally determined, went to Washington, sought Mr. Cleveland and explained how the Church of England had attempted to supplant him with another minister among the people to whom he had devoted his life.
He was assured by the President that this government would offer an asylum where they could enjoy religious freedom ; and promised that Congress would take action, looking to their pro- tection. Accordingly, on March 3, 1891, a bill was passed, set- ting aside Annette island for the use and benefit of these natives, but immediately following his visit to Washington, and upon the strength of the promise that his people would be protected, they abandoned their improvements, and property, gave up their com- fortable homes, and with only a few household goods, went out into the wilderness. On the seventh day of August, 1887, they arrived at their present home, naming it New Metlakahtla, and under the graceful folds of the stars and stripes, which they had flung to the breeze. they solemnly transferred their allegiance from Canada to the United States.
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ALASKA.
In the past seven years a settlement has been built up that bears witness of wonderful progress in civilization by these peo- ple. They live in comfortable houses, many of them handsome and homelike. Every branch of business is represented as in their old home, only in a more advanced scale, and the people are self-sustaining, industrious and happy. And age reminds Mr. Duncan that his task is nearly finished. The thirty-eight years he has spent among these natives finds them enjoying all the benefits of civilization, and in quiet possession of homes earned by honest toil. But is it any wonder that he looks into the future with sad misgivings, and in fear that the hand of his old enemy, now stretched across the boundary, and taking his settlement within British lines, will yet draw his people in its avaricious grasp ?
We do not believe the American Congress can afford to stultify itself by yielding one jot from the position it has taken in this matter to Mr. Duncan, and to which it solemnly stands com- mitted. That it is clearly the intention of the Canadian govern- ment backed by England to secure this strip of territory, is unmistakable. For the past two years the labors of the Canadian boundary commission have been marked by a determination to obtain all possible information concerning the disputed territory. Government engineers and surveyors have been indefatigable in their explorations to secure in detail thorough and exhaustive knowledge, which will be placed before the joint commission when the boundary question comes up for adjudication next November. There is no doubt that the Canadian government will make out the strongest possible case, and in this it will be aided by the intimate knowledge of the country gained by the actual investigation of their engineers. But it seems to us that a correct interpretation of the treaty of 1825, coupled with a firm presentation of our case, should leave the British claim without any support whatever, and with such vigorous assertion of our rights, Alaska will not be despoiled of a valuable portion of her heritage.
Nautical
100
146
158
185
72
15
210
440
628
S88
SS2
942
I250
220
S20
540
Miles.
6
9
6
I
2
6
19
25
2
16
14
31 30
34
37
62
55
97
2I
53
48
643
Miles.
San Francisco to Seattle.
San Francisco to Sitka (outside)
San Francisco to Unalaska (outside) Seattle to Juneau.
Seattle to Port Townsend
Port Townsend to Victoria Victoria to Nanaimo
Nanaimo to Seymour Narrows
Seymour Narrows to Mary Island Mary Island to Ketchikan
Ketchikan to New Metlakahtla Ketchikan to Loring Loring to Yaas Bay
Loring to Wrangel. Wrangel to Wrangel Narrows.
Wrangel Narrows to Juneau
Juneau to Treadwell Mill
Juneau to Berner's Bay Juneau to Chilcat
Ty-a to head of Canoe Navigation
Summit to head of Lake Linderman
Head Lake Linderman to foot
Head of Lake Bennett to foot
Through Cariboo Crossing to head of Tagish Lake
Through River to head of Lake Marsh Head of Tagislı Lake to foot
Foot of Lake Marsh to Canyon
Foot of Canyon to White Horse Rapids Through White Horse Rapids
Head of Lake Le Barge to foot
Foot of Lake Le Barge to Hootalinqua River Hootalinqua River to Big Salmon River
Little Salmon River to Five Fingers
Five Fingers to Rink Rapids
Rink Rapids to Pelly River
Pelly River to White River
White River to Stewart River
Stewart River to Sixty Mile River
Sixty Mile River to Fort Reliance Fort Reliance to Forty Mile
Forty Mile to Ft. Cudahy
Ty-a to Ft Cudahy
1
1
1
1
I
I
1
1
1
+
S20
I295 2040 976
38
76
So
40
16
25
19
90
32
96
2 1/2
46
90
Nautical
Miles.
Glacier Bay to Sitka Chilcat to Glacier Bay Juneau to Ty-a
Juneau to Sitka
Sitka to Killisnoo Sitka to Yakutat
Sitka to Nuchek
Sitka to Kadiak
Sitka to Karluk
Sitka to Unga. Sitka to Sand Point
Sitka to Unalaska Sitka to Belkoffsky
Bering Strait to Point Barrow Unalaska to Bering Strait. Unalaska to St. Michael's. Unalaska to Seal Islands_
TABLE OF DISTANCES FROM TY-A, HEAD OF STEAMBOAT NAVIGATION, TO FT. CUDAHY.
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
F
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
L
1
1
1
1
.
1
1
I
1
I
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
4
1
I
1
1
1
I I
1 1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
J
1
1
1
L
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
4 1
İ
1 1
I
1 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
4
1
1
I
1
I
I
1
1
1
I
1 1
ļ
I
1
1
1
1
1
4
I
1
1
1
I
I
1
1
F
4
1
1
I
I
1
3/4
81/2
24
19
Head of Lake Marsh to foot
Throughi Canyon
Foot of White Horse Rapids to Tahkeena River. Talıkeena River to head of Lake Le Barge
Big Salmon River to Little Salmon River
61/2
9
I
1
I
1
1
1 1
1
1
L
Head of Canoe Navigation to Summit Chilkoot Pass.
River or Portage to head of Lake Bennett
1
1
Sitka to Hot Springs
32
455
560
745
TABLE OF DISTANCES.
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY 88
IS THE BEST LINE FOR
ALASKA AND
PACIFIC COAST POINTS
AND THE ONLY
THE YELLOWSTONE
LINE TO
NATIONAL PARK &&
THROUGH TICKETS FROM CHICAGO WASHINGTON PHILADELPHIA NEW YORK BOSTON
AND ALL POINTS EAST AND SOUTH
FOR FULL INFORMATION CALL ON OR WRITE
B. N. Austin, Assistant General Passenger Agent, St. Paul, Minin.
A. L. Craig, Assistant General Ticket Agent, St. Paul, Min1.
Geo. R. Fitch, General Eastern Agent, 319 Broadway, New York.
F. H. Fogarty, General Agent, 210 South Clark St., Chicago, Il1.
T. K. Stateler, Gen. Agt. Pass. Dept. 638 Market St., San Francisco, Cal. Frank A. Gross, 15 State St., Boston, Mass. J. H. Rogers, Jr., 47 South Third St., Philadelphia. L. L. Billingslea, 47 South Third St., Philadelphia. Win. G. Mason, 44 Exchange St., Buffalo, N. Y. W. F. Mershon, 319 Broadway, New York City.
C. E. Johnson, St. Paul, Minnesota. Thomas Henry, 128 St. James St., Montreal, Quebec. W. H. Whitaker, 153 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
J. F. Turner, 42 Jackson Place, Indianapolis, Indiana.
C. G. Lemmon, 210 South Clark St., Chicago, Il1.
J. N. Robinson, 99 Wisconsin St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. P II. Noel, 103 North Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. J. J. Ferry, Room 32 Carew Bldg., Cincinnati, Ohio. O. Vanderbilt, 503 West Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa. T. S. Patty, Read House, Chattanooga, Ten11.
E. L. Rayburn, 255 Morrison, Cor. Third, Portland Oregon.
F. O'Neill, 255 Morrison, Cor. Third, Portland, Oregon.
I. A. Nadeau, General Agent, Seattle, Washington.
A. Tinling, General Agent, Tacoma, Washington.
F. D. Gibbs, General Agent, Spokane, Washington. CHAS S. FEE, A. I). CHARLTON,
Genl. Pass. and Ticket Agt., St. Paul, Minn. Asst. Gen1. Pass. Agt., Portland, Ore.
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