A Missionary's Memory of the Russian Border

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, J. B. Metcalfe, chairman of the committee appointed to gather information on matters pertaining to the Alaska boundary controversy between this country and British Columbia, submitted interesting correspondence with Rev. W. Duncan, the old missionary of New Metlakatla. Mr. Duncan formerly was stationed at Port Simpson. Not liking the restrictions placed upon him by the English, he moved to Annette Island, Alaska, which the British then acknowledged to be out of their domain. But now, according to the contention of the British Columbia papers, Annette Island is a portion of the territory of Alaska claimed by the British. Mr. Duncan's letter to Mr. Metcalfe reads: 'On board City of Topeka, Alaskan Waters, May 1895. Before leaving home for a trip to the East, I received a letter from Mr. Miner Bruce, the explorer, asking me to write you any particulars I might happen to know regarding the boundary between Alaska and British Columbia. Most likely the little information I have is already known to you, but it can do no harm to write what I know. First—In 1851 I was located at Fort Simpson, and was in constant daily intercourse with the affairs of the Hudson Bay Fur Company, which had a monopoly of the country at that time. From this intercourse I learned that all the country north of Portland Canal belonged to Russia, and for the privilege of trading with the Indians from that point, and as far as Chilcat, the Indians paid a rental to the Russian government of one thousand otter skins each year. It is not at all likely that a company of such proportions as the Hudson Bay Company would consent to pay rent for territory of which there was uncertainty as to ownership. That company would be well acquainted with the maps which assigned the territory to Russia, or it would never have made the agreement with Russia which it did. Nor did those officers, during all the years I was in daily intercourse with them, ever hint at a doubt as to the boundary from which Russian claims started. Second—I have known lawbreakers to escape to Tongass from justice, being, while there, out of the jurisdiction of British Columbia. Third—When the United States purchased Alaska, a corps of soldiers was stationed at Tongass and continued there for years in undisputed control. Fourth—On my migrating with over 500 Indians from British Columbia, in 1887, we had to call at Fort Tongass and give an account of our belongings. I paid the customs officers over $1,000 to bring my goods into Alaska. The customs authorities resided at Tongass, just over the inlet called Portland Canal.' Mr. Metcalfe reported that he replied to Mr. Duncan on May 11: 'I am in receipt of your favor of May 3, for which please accept my sincere thanks. The information contained therein I regard as valuable whenever the question comes up for adjustment of the claims between the United States and Great Britain. In your favor to Mr. Bruce you speak of having the natives write to me relative to this matter through their secretary. May I ask you to have this done at your earliest convenience, and oblige.' Mr. Metcalfe reported that all the data he was gathering were being kept in a scrapbook, and portions regarded as more important had been forwarded to Secretary Gresham at Washington City. The meeting of the trustees was unusually large and enthusiastic. The chamber can now boast of over 150 new members. The following were elected: Charles F. Reeves, G. H. Ferris, Isaac Cooper, John M. Lane, Charles A. Mitchell, George M. Horton, M.D., C. E. Vilas, Charles M. Frye and J. W. Allen. It was decided to call a general meeting next Monday evening to amend the by-laws. Mr. O'Keefe, representing the Courtwright pump and motor, invited members to examine the plant he has in operation in the canal leading from Lake Union to Salmon Bay, near Fremont. He said arrangements had been made to manufacture the machinery in Seattle, making the city a distributing point. Attention was also called to freight rates that worked to the disadvantage of Seattle houses, and the matter was referred to the committee on transportation. A Fourth of July celebration was discussed and indorsed.