38. ALASKA TERRITORY.

Capital, Sitka, or New Archangel. Area, 577,390 square miles. Population, 75,000.* Alaska comprises that portion of North America, which is situated north of the parallel of 54° 40′ north latitude, and west of the meridian of 141' west longitude. It embraces numerous islands lying along the coast and extending west from the principal peninsula. The northern coast was discovered in 1778, by Captain Cook who reached Icy Cape, latitude 70° 20′ north, and longitude 160° 46′ west. In 1826, Capt. Beechy proceeded east as far as North Cape, or Point Barrow, latitude 71° 23′ 31′′ north, longitude, 156° 21′ 32′′ west; while about the same time, Sir John Franklin, then Captain Franklin, traced the coast west from the mouth of the Mackenzie to Return Reef, latitude 70°26′ north, longitude 148° 52′ west. The intervening space between Point Barrow and Return Reef was explored in 1837 by Dease and Simpson, officers of the Hudson's Bay Company.

This extensive territory was granted to a Russian-American fur company by a charter from the Emperor Paul VIII. in July, 1799, with power to occupy and bring under the dominion of Russia all territories north or south of fifty-five degrees, not previously occupied by another nation. The charter of the company was renewed in 1839; there were at that time, thirty-six hunting and fishing establishments.

In consideration of the sum of $7,200,000, the territory was ceded to the United States by the Emperor of Russia, by a treaty concluded at Washington, March 30, 1867, and ratified by the Senate, May 28. The actual transfer was made in October of the same year, Gen. Rousseau of the United States service, taking formal possession on behalf of the Federal Government, at New Archangel, on the Island of Sitka.

By an act of Congress approved July 27, 1868, the laws of the United States relating to customs, commerce and navigation were extended over the territory, and a collection district was established. By order from General Halleck, Aug. 13, 1868, the military district of Alaska was constituted and attached to the Department of California. No territorial government had been established, January, 1869.

The boundaries are as follows: Commencing at 54° 40′ north 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 southwesterly, 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.

CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY.

The northern part of the main land is compact and nearly level, about 600 miles in length and breadth. From this, a narrow belt extends along the

*Including 65,000 Indians. (From report of Mr. Banks in the House of Representatives, May, 1868).

coast to latitude 54° 40'. This is broken and mountainous, with a few fertile valleys. The climate is variable, but milder than in the same latitude on the Atlantic coast, owing to the warm currents from the shores of Asia. The interior has been but little explored.

There are several large rivers, the principal of which is the Yukon, the great river of the north, which flows into Behring sea, south of Norton's sound. The lower part of the river is called by the Russians, Kwichpak. Its mouths correspond in some degree to the delta of the Mississippi, and embrace nearly two degrees of latitude. It is open by the middle of May It is 2,000 miles in length and

and closes about the middle of October. navigable from 1,000 to 1,500 miles.

The mountains of Alaska are among the most elevated in North America. Mt. St. Elias is over 40 miles inland, and is seen more than 100 miles from the coast. Its height is probably between 15,000 and 18,000 feet. Mt. Fairweather, 100 miles to the southeast of Mt. St. Elias, nearly equals it in height. There are several active volcanoes, the highest of which have an altitude of about 10,000 feet.

The coast line of the territory is 4,000 miles, and including bays and islands, more than 11,000 miles in extent. The peninsula of Alaska is 300 miles long, and averages 50 miles in width. The Aleutian islands are the summits of the mountain range which extends northward on the American coast around the head of Prince William sound and Cook's inlet, and down the peninsula of Alaska. They form a regular curve from the termination of the peninsula, southward, westward and northward, to Behring's island, a distance of 1,075 miles.

This is the most remarkable range of volcanic islands on the Western Continent. The six largest, all of which are inhabited, are as follows: Ounimak, Ounalaska, Oumnak, Atkha, Amchitka, and Attou, having an area of from 350 to 1,500 square miles. The inhabitants generally live on the north side of these islands, for the southern side is exceedingly abrupt and has no harbors.

Ounalaska has a population of 700 and the others average about 350, except Attou, which has a population of 120. Further north, in Behring's sea, are the large islands of St. Lawrence and Noumbak, each containing more than 2,000 square miles. In the center of Behring's sea are the small islands of St. Paul and St. George, the summer resort of the fur seal. Further north is St. Matthew, on which the Russians have in vain attempted to establish a trading post.

POPULATION, WEALTH AND INDUSTRY.

The entire population of this country is estimated at 75,000. There are 9,000 Russians, Creoles, Kodiaks, and Aleoots, and about 65,000 Indians of different tribes. Where the natives have means of living, they are peaceful, capable, learn quickly, and exhibit skill in commerce and mechanics. They are proverbial for their skill in fashioning a multitude of household utensils and war implements. The population of Sitka numbers about 500

Russians, Cossacks and Creoles, and there are about 1,000 Indians in its vicinity. It has but one street, with straggling log-houses. The principal buildings are the Governor's residence, a Greek church, a Lutheran chapel, the buildings of the Russian-American Company, a club house, and a block house with a small battery..

Along many of the streams there is an abundance of timber, mostly of pine, spruce, cedar and hemlock. The districts bordering upon the coast are capable of yielding in moderate quantities, the cereal grains and the more valuable vegetables of the temperate zone. Iron and coal are found in considerable abundance, and can be obtained at no very great expense. Gold, silver and copper have been discovered. The principal value of the territory for the present, depends upon its lumber, 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 seas to the south of Behring's strait. The most numerous, though not the most valuable of fur-bearing animals is the fur seal. 80,000 skins are obtained annually, which bring from $2.00 to $3.00 apiece in London. The most valuable of the fur-bearing animals is the sea otter. Its skins sell for $50 to $100 each, and sometimes for more. The fox abounds on the Aleutian Islands, living on sea-birds and fish, and having his safe retreat among the volcanic cliffs and fissures. From five to six thousand are caught annually. The walrus is the favorite of the Esquimaux, furnishing in its oily flesh the carbon and oxygen to keep him warm. Of other fur animals, the marten and mink are the most valuable.

39. ARIZONA TERRITORY.

Capital, Tucson. Area, 113,916 square miles. Population, (1866), 20,000.* This territory embraces a portion of the country acquired from Mexico in 1854. The southern part, known as the "Gadsden purchase," was the earliest occupied by Americans, and is still the best known. The territory was organized February 24, 1863, from the western part of New Mexico.

The Judicial power of the territory is vested in a Supreme Court and Probate Courts. The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and two Associate Judges, who are appointed by the President. It holds one session annually at Tucson, commencing the 4th Monday in October.

Exclusive of Indians.

+ Elected as delegate to Congress.

UNITED STATES COURT.

District Judge, Wm. F. Turner. District Attorney, John A. Rush. Marshal, Edward J. Phelps.

SUPREME COURT.

Chief Justice, Wm. F. Turner, Prescott. Associate Justices, Henry T. Bachus, Tucson; H. D. Castler, La Paz. Salaries, $2,500 each.

FINANCES.

The total territorial indebtedness, October 8, 1866, amounted to $21,051.41, and there was a balance of $249.50 in the treasury to the credit of the general fund. Of this indebtedness, $15,590 were payable in gold, being the amount of bonds (and interest on the same to January 4, 1867), issued under the act of the first assembly, approved Nov. 9, 1864, and entitled “An act to provide for the contingent expenses of the territorial government."

POPULATION, WEALTH AND INDUSTRY.

The Colorado valley was a seat of Spanish civilization and missionary enterprise more than a century ago. Early in the eighteenth century, flourishing settlements existed in the valley of the Gila, the Rio Verde, and the Salinas. The relics of these are still seen in the ruins of cities, cathedrals and farms, scattered up and down the Colorado and its branches. The remains of irrigating canals show the extensive and elaborate scale on which Spanish agriculture was then prosecuted. The Santa Cruz region was occupied by Jesuit missionaries as early as the year 1600, the ruins of whose establishments are still seen. The depredations of the Apaches have restricted the settlement of large portions of this territory and New Mexico. On account of their hostilities, it is found safe to occupy the country only in colonies for mutual protection. The settlements in the southern part and along the Colorado are numerous. This forms part of the basin of theColorado. Its surface consists of elevated table-lands, broken by mountain ranges and interspersed with fertile valleys and sandy wastes. Its northern and northeastern portions are comparatively unexplored and mostly in the occupancy of the Indians. South of the Gila and west of the 112th meridian the country is sandy, supposed not generally fertile, except along the river. In other portions there are many beautiful valleys, containing millions of acres of extraordinary fertility, producing wheat, barley, oats, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables. In the south, cotton and sugar crops are remunerative, and on the hills and mountain sides, a rich and abundant pasturage is found.

Recent explorations have proved that the Colorado River is navigable for nearly seven hundred miles, thus affording direct communication with the ocean to portions of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Nevada. By the opening of this river, Government has already saved thousands of dollars in the transportation of military stores, and a fresh impetus has been given to the development of the resources of Arizona.

In southern Arizona and upon the Colorado, excepting at the highest points, work is usually suspended in the summer months. In central Arizona this is not necessary, as the sun is seldom oppressive. The thermometer has been

known to stand at 110' on the Colorado, when it rose to but 65' in and about Prescott. The nights in the mountains throughout the territory are cool at all seasons. Snow falls in Central Arizona, but excepting in the higher mountains it usually remains but a few hours. No one of the mineral-bearing territories of the "Pacific" is richer in mineral lands than Arizona, though the mines have not been extensively worked. The surface ores of gold and silver are good; and copper, lead and iron are found in many places.

The pine of Central Arizona grows to a medium size, and much of it is resinous. The oak and black walnut do not obtain a great size. Pine lumber cut by a steam mill in Prescott, is furnished at $30, $60, and $100 per 1,000 feet, according to the quality. The mesquite and cottonwood of southern Arizona and the Colorado furnish good rafters for the adobe structures, and the mesquite is famed as a firewood. Two lines of railroad are projected through the territory.

40. COLORADO TERRITORY.

Capital, Denver City. Area, 104,500 square miles. Population, (1860), 34,277. Colorado was organized as a territory from parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Utah, March 2, 1861. In conformity with an enabling act, passed March 21, 1864, a convention was held, and a constitution framed and adopted, Aug. 12, 1865. This constitution was submitted to the people, and adopted by them, Sept. 5. State officers were elected, November 14, 1865. A bill to admit Colorado as a state was introduced into the United States Senate, January 18, 1866, and passed April 25. It passed the House the same day, but was returned to the Senate by the President with his objections, on May 16. In January, 1867, another bill passed both Houses of Congress providing for the admission of Colorado, upon the fundamental condition that within the State there should be "no denial of the elective franchise or any other rights to any person by reason of race or color, except to Indians not taxed." This bill was returned by the President with his objections on January 19. A vote was taken February 28, but the bill failed to receive the requisite vote in the Senate. A bill was afterwards passed, applying the same principle to the organic acts of all the territories, in which Colorado was included. At its next session, the Legislature voted to accept the amendment of Congress, but the majority in both Houses was represented to be opposed to a State organization.

The Territorial Legislature in 1862, passed an act establishing the capital

of Colorado at Golden City, but the Legislature continued to meet at Denver.