Mr. de Stoeckl to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary of State: In reply to the letter you have done me the honor to address to me on the 15th of this month, I make it a duty to inform [Page 407] you that the only point at which we had a military garrison was at Sitka. The number of men we maintained there never exceeded two hundred, and latterly there were at Sitka only 80 men. The barracks in which these troops are stationed, and which will be turned over to the federal government, may conveniently hold from a hundred to a hundred and twenty men. Besides the garrison at Sitka, there are some advanced posts on the mainland, occupied by four or five men each. These posts are situated far to the north, and it will be difficult to turn them over to the United States troops before next spring. As to what relates to provisions, the federal government will be able to supply itself in the warehouses of the Russo-American Company with breadstuffs, butter, sugar, tea, and salt fish. In the Sitka market may be found fresh fish, goat meat, wild, in small quantities. It would be well for the American government to take measures for provisioning its troops with fresh meat or salted, coffee, and other articles which are used in the United States army.
Please accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurance of my very high consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.