At one time so great was the jealousy of the Company's officers that no foreign ship was allowed within twenty miles of the coast.
The Imperial Government required that the chief officer of the company should be commissioned in the service of the crown, and detailed to the control of the American Territory.

His residence was at Sitka, to which the principal post was removed from Kodiak.

In the early history of the Company there were many encounters with the natives, the severest battle taking place on the present site of Sitka.

The natives had a fort there, and were only driven from it after a long and obstinate fight.

The first colony that settled at Sitka was driven away, and all traces of the Russian occupation were destroyed.