The Sun.
London, England, 1822-05-23 00:00:00

[TdANSLATION.]

THE CHEVALIER POLETICA TO THE SECRETARY OF
STATE.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, in
consequence of orders which have lately reached him, hastens
herewith to transmit to Mr. Adams, Secretary of State in the
department of Foreign Affairs, a printed copy of the regula-
tion adopted by the Russian American Company, and sane-
tioned.by his Imperial Majesty, relative to foreign commerce
in the waters bordering the establishments of the said company
on the "north-west of America. , _

The undersigned conceives it to be, moreover, his duty to
,inform Mr. Adams, that the Imperial Government, in adopt-
ing this regulation, supposes that a foreign ship, which shall
have sailed from a European port after the Ist of 'March, 1822,
or from one of the ports of the United States after the Ist of
July, of the same year, cannot lawfully pretend ignorance of
these new measures. _ _ .

The undersigned eagerly embraces this occasion of offering
to Mr. Adams the assurance of his high consideration.___ •

PIERRE DE POLETICA.
Mr. Adams, Secretary of State, Wash-
ington, Feb. 11, 102.
[Here follows a copy of the Edict, of which notice has been
heretofore more than once taken in the National Intelligencer.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO MR. POLETICA.
Department of State, Washington, Feb. 27,1822. .
SIR—I have had the honour of receiving your note of the
11th inst., enclosing a printed copy of the regulations adcipted
by the Russian American Company, and sanctioned by his Im-
perial Majesty, relating to the commerce of foreigners in the
waters bordering on the establishments of that Company upon
the north-west coast of America. .

I am directed by the President of the United States to inform
you, that he hasseen with surprise in this edict, the assertion
of a territorial claim on the part of Russia, extending to the 51st
degree of north latitude on this continent ; and a regulation in-
terdicting to all commercial vessels, other than Russian, upon
the penalty of Seizure and confiscation, the approach upon the
high seas, within 100 • Italian miles of the shores to which
that claim is made to apply. The relations of the United
States with his Imperial Majesty have always been of the most
friendly character; and it is the earnest desire of the Govern-
ment to preserve them in that state. It was expected, before
an Act'which, should define the boundary between the terri-
tories of the United States and Russia on this continent, that
the same would have been arranged by treaty between the
parties. To exclude the vessels of our citizens from the shore,
beyond the ordinary distance to which that territorial jurisdic-
ion extends, has excited still greater surprise.
This ordinance affects so deeply the rights of the United
States, and of their citizens, that I am instructed to inquire
whether you are authorized to give explanations of the grounds
of right, upon principles generally recognised by the laws and
usages of nations, which can warrant the claims and regulations
contained in it. •
I avail myself of this occasion to assure you of my distill
gu ish ed consideration.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
The Chevalier de Poletica, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary from Russia.

s[TRANSLATION.]

THE CHEVALIER DE-POLETICA TO THE SECRETARY OF

STATE.

SIR-I received, two days since, the letter which you did
me the honour to address to me on the same day, by order of
the President of the United States, in answer to my note of the
11th current, by which I discharged the orders of Govern
ment in communicating to you the regulation adopted by the
Russian American Company, and sanctioned by his Majesty
the Emperor, my august Sovereign, on the 4th (16th) of Sept.
1821, relative to foreign comMeice, in the waters which border
upon the establishments of the said company, on the north-
west coast of America.

Readily yielding, Sir, to the desire expressed by you in your
letter, of knowing the rights and principles upon which are
founded the determinate limits of the Russian possessions on
the north-west coast of America, from Behring's Strait to the
51 deg. of north latitude, I am happy to fulfil this task by only
calling your attention to the following historical facts, the au-
thenticity of which cannot be contested. The first discoveries
of , the Russians on the north-west continent of America, go
back to the time of the Emperor Peter I. They belong to
the attempt, made towards the end of the reign of this
grant Monarch, to find a passage from the icy sea into the Pa-
cific Ocean.
ln 1720, the celebrated Captain Behring made his first
voyage.
The recital of his discoveries attracted the attention of the
Government, and the Empress Anne intrusted to Capt. Behring
(1741), a new expedition in these same latitudes. She sent
with him the academicians Gmelin, Delile de la Crayere,
Mul-
ler, Steller, Fisher, Krasilnicoff; Krwcheninicuff, and others ;
and the first chart of these countries which is known, was the
result of their labours, published in, 1758. Besides the strait
which bears the name of the chief of this-expedition, he dis-
covered a great part of the islands which are found betweeh the
two continents. Cape or Mount St. Elias, which still bears
this name upon all the charts, was so called by Capt. Behring,
who'diacovered it on the day f the feast of this saint ; and his
second, Capt. Tchiricolf, pushed his discoveries as far as .the
49th degree of north latitude.
The first private expeditions undertaken upon the north-west
coast of America go back as far as the year 1743.
In 1763 the Russian establishments had already extended as
far as the island of Kodiak (or Kichtak.) In 1778, Cook found
them at Ounalashka, and some Russian inscriptions at Kodiak.
Vancouver saw the Russian establishment in the bay of

Kinai. In fine, Capt. Mil's, Portlock, La Peyrouse, unanim-
ously attest the existence of Russian establishments in these
latitudes.
If the Imperial Government had, at the time, published the
discoveries made by the Russian navigators, after Behring and
Tchiricoff, viz. Chlodiloff Serebreanicoff; Krassilnicoff, Pay-
coff, Poushcareff, LazerefF, Medwedeff; Solowieff, Lewasheff,
Kremtsin, and others, no one could refuse to Russia the right
of first discovery, nor could even any one deny her that of first
occupation.
Moreover, when D. Jose Martinez was sent in 1789 by the
Court of Madrid to form an establishment in Vancouver's
Island, and to remove foreigners from thence, under the pre-
text that all that coast belonged to Spain, he gave not the least
disturbance to the Russian colonies and navigators. Yet the
Spanish Government was not ignorant of their existence, for
this very Martinez had visited them the year before. The re-
port which Captain Malespina made of the results of his
voyage, proves that the Spaniards very well knew of the Rus-
sian colonies ; and in this very report it is seen that the Court
of Madrid acknowledged that its possessions upon the coast of
the Pacific. Ocean ought not to extend to the north of Cape
Blanc, taken from the point of Trinity, situated under 42 deg.
50 min. of north latitude.

When, in 1789, the Emperor Paid I. granted to the present
American Company its first charter, he gave it the exclusive
possession of the north-west coast of America, which belonged
to Russia, froin the 55th degree of north latitude to Behring's
Straits. lle permitted them to extend their discoveries to the
south, and there to form establishments, provided that they
did not encroach upon the territory occupied by other powers.
This act, when made public' excited no claim on the part
of other Cabinets, not even on that of Madrid, which confirms
that it did not extend its pretensions to the 60th degree.
When the Government of the United States treated with
Spain for the cession of a part of the north-west coast, it was
able to acquire, by the treaty of Washington, the right to all
that belonged to the Spaniards north of the 42d degree of lati-
tude ; but this treaty says nothing positive concerning the
northern boundary of this cession, because, in fact, Spain well
knew that she could not say that the coast as far as the 60th
degree belonged to her.
From this faithful exposition of known facts, it is easy, Sir,
as appears to me, to draw the conclusion, that the rights of
Russia to the extent of the north-west coast, specified in the
regulation of the Russian American Company, rest upon the
three bases required by the general law of nations and imme-
morial usage among nations—that is, upon the title of first dis-
covery ; upon the title of first occupation; and, in the last
place, upon that which results from a peaceable and uncontest-
ed possession of more than half a century—an epoch, conse-
quently, several years anterior to that when the United States
took their place among independant nations.
It is moreover evident that, if the right to the possession of
a certain extent of the north-west coast of America, claimed by
the United States, only devolves upon them in virtue of the
Treaty of Washington, 1819, (and I believe it would be diffi-
cult to make good any other title) this Treaty could not con-
fer upon the American Government any right of claim against
the limits assigned to the Russian possessions upon the same
coast, because Spain herself had never pretended to such a
right.
The Imperial Government, in assigning for limits to the
Russian possessions on the north-west coast of America, on the
one side Behring's Strait, and on the other, the 51st degree of
north latitude, has only made a moderate use of an incontest-
ible right, since the Russian Navigators, who were the first to
explore that part of the American Continent in 1741, pushed,
their discovery as far as the 49th degree of north latitude.—
The Mat degree, therefore, is no more than a mean point be-
tween the Russian establishment of New Archangel, situated
under the 57th degree, and the American Colony at the mouth
of the Columbia, which is found under the 46th degree of the
same latitude. _

All these considerations united, have occurred in inspiring-
the Imperial Government with an entire conviction that in the
last arrangements adopted in Russia relative to her possessions
on the north-west coast, the legitimate right of no foreign Power
has been infringed. In this conviction, the Emperor, my
August Sovereign, has judged that his good right, and the obli-
gation imposed by Providence upon him to protect, with all his
power, the interests of his subjects, sufficiently justified the
measures last taken by his Imperial Majesty in favour of the
Russian American Company, without its being necessary to
clothe them with the sanction of treaties.

I shall be more succinct, Sir, in the exposition of the motives
which determined the Imperial Government to prohibit foreign
vessels from approaching the north-west coast of America be-
longing to Russia, within the distance of at least 100 Italian
miles. This measure, however severe it may at first view ap-
pear, is after all but a measure of prevention. It is exclusively
directed against the culpable enterprises of foreign adventurers,
who, not content with exercising upon the coasts abovemen-
tioned an illicit trade, very prejudicial to the rights reserved
entirely to the Russian American Company, take upon them
besides to furnish arms and ammunition to the natives in the
Russian possessions in America, exciting them, likewise, in
every manner, to resistance and revolt against the authorities
there established. _ _

The American Government, doubtless, recollects that the
irregular conduct of these adventurers, the majority of whom
was composed of American citizens, has been the object of the
most pressing remonstrances on the part of Russia, to the Fe-
deral Government, from the time that diplomatic missions were
organized between the two countries. These remonstrances,
repeated at different times, remain constantly without effect,
and the inconvenience, to which they ought to bring a remedy,
continues to increase.
. .

The Imperial Government, respecting the intentions of the
American Government, has always abstained from attributing
the ill success of its remonstrances to any other motives than
those which flow, if I may be allowed the expression, from
the very nature of the institutions which govern the na-
tional affairs of the American Federation. But the high
opinion which the Emperor has always entertained of the
rectitude of the American Government cannot exempt
him from the care which his sense of justice towards his
own subjects imposes upon. him. Pacific means not hav-
ing brought any alleviation to the just grievances of the
Russian American Company, against foreign navigation in the
waters which environ their establishments on the north-west
America, the Imperial Government saw itself under the ne-
cessity of having. recourse to the means of coercion, and of
measuring the rigour according to the inveterate character of
the evil to which it wished to put a stop. Yet it is easy to
discover, on examining closely the last regulation of the Rus-
sian American Company, that no spirit of hostility had any
thing tq do with its fortnation. The most minute precautions
have been taken in it to prevent abuses of authority on the
part of commanders of Russian cruisers appointed for the exe-
cution of said regulation. At the same time, it has not been
neglected to give all the timely publicity necessary to put those
on their guard against whom the measure is aimed.
Its action, therefore, can only reach the foreign vessels,
which, in spite of the notification, will expose themselves to
seizure by infringing upon the line marked out in the regula-
tion. The Government flatters itself that these cases will be
very rare; if all remains as at present—not one.
I ought, in the last place, lo request you to consider, Sir,
that the Russian possessions in the Pacific Ocean extend on
the north-west coast of America, from Behring's Strait to the
51st degree of north latitude, and on the opposite side of Asia
and the islands adjacent, from the same Strait to the 45th de-
gree. The extent of sea, of which these possessions form the
limits, comprehends all the conditions which .are ordinarily at-
tached to shut seas (mers' fermees); and the Russian Govern-
ment might consequently judge itself authorized to exercise
upon this sea the rights, of sovereignty, and especially that of
entirely interdicting the entrance of foreigners. But it prefer-
red only asserting its essential rights, without taking any ad-
vantage of localities.
The Emperor, my august Sovereign, sets a very high value
I upon the, maintenance of the relations of amity and good un-
derstanding which have till now subsisted between the two
countries. The dispositions of his Imperial Majesty in this
regard have never failed appearing at all times, when an occa-
sion has presented itself in the political relations of the United
States with the European Powers ; and, surely, in the midst
of a 'general peace, Russia does hot think of aiming a blow at
the maritime interests of the United States, she who has con-
stantly respected them in those difficult circumstances in which
Europe has been seen to be placed in the latter times, and the
influence of which the United States have been unable to
avert.

I have the honour to be, with high consideration, Sir, your
most obedient humble servant, "

PIERRE LT; POLETICA.

Washington, Feb. 28, 1822.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO MR. DE POLETICA.
Department of State, Washington, March 30.
SIR,—I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the
28th tilt., which has been submitted to the consideration of the
President of the United States. _

From the deduction which it contains of the grounds upon
which the articles of regulation of the Russian American Com-
pany have now, for the first time, extended the claim of Rus-
sia on the north-west coast of America to the 51st degree of
north latitude, its only foundation appears to be the exist-
ence of the small settlement of Nov Archangelsk, situated, not
on the American Continent; but upon a small island in latitude
57. And the principle upon which you state that this claim
is now advanced is, that the 51st. degree is equi-distant from
the settlement of Nov Archangelsk and the establishment
of the United States at the mouth of Columbia "river. But
from the same statement it appears, that in the year. 1799, the
limits prescribed by the Emperor Paul to the Russian Ameri-
' can Company were fixed at the 55th degree of latitude: and

that, in assuming now the latitude of 51, a new pretension is
asserted, to which no settlement made since the year 1799 has
given the colour of a sanction.
This pretension is to be considered, not only with reference
to the question of territorial right, but also to that prohibition to
`the vessels of other nations, 'including those of the United
States, to approach within 100 Italian miles of the coasts.
From the period of the existence of the United States as an in,
dependent nation, their vessels have freely navigated those seas,
and the right to navigate them is a part of that independence.
With regard to the suggestion, that the Russian Govern-
ment might have justified the exercise of sovereignty over the
Pacific Ocean, as a close sea, because it claims territory both
on its American and Asiatic ores, it may suffice to say, that
the distance from shore to shore on this sea, in latitude 51
north, is not less than 90 degrees of longitude, or 4,000 miles.
As little can the United States accede to the justice of the
reason assigned for the prohibition above-mentioned. The
right of the citizens of the United States to hold commerce
with the aboriginal natives of the north-west coast of America,
without the territorial jurisdiction of other nations, even in
arms and munitions of war, is as clear and indisputable as that
of navigating the seas. That right has never been exercised in a,
spirit unfriendly to Russia ; and, although general complaints
have occasionally been made on the subject of this commerce
"by some of your predecessors, no specific ground of charge has
ever been alleged by them of any transaction in it which the
United States were, by the ordinary laws and usage of na-
tions, bound either to restrain or to punish. Had any such
charge been made, it would have received the most pointed at-
tention of this Government, with the sincerest and firmest dis-
position to perform every act and obligation of justice to yours
which could have been required. I am commanded by the
President of the United States to assure you, that this disposi-
tion will continue to be entertained, together with the earnest
desire that the most harmonious relations between the two
countries may be preserved.
Relying upon the assurance in your note of similar disposi-
tions reciprocally entertained by his Imperial Majesty towards
the United States, the President is persuaded that the citizens
of this Union will remain unmolested in the prosecution of
their lawful commerce, and that no effect will be given to an
interdiction manifestly incompatible with their rights.
I am happy to renew the assurances of my distinguished
consideration.

JOHN 'QUINCY ADAMS.
The Chevplier de Poletica, Envoy Extraordinary and
"Minister Plenipotentiary from Russia.
[TRANSLATION.]

TUE CHEVALIER DE POLEXICA TO THE SECRETARY OF

STATE.

Washington, March 2i (April 2), 1822.
Sin,----I had the honour yesterday to receive the letter which
you were pleased to address to me, dated the 30th of March
last, N. S., and not being authorized to continue the discus-
sion to which it refers, I find myself under the necessity of
taking the contents of that letter ad referendum, reserving my-
self to communicate it to my Government as soon as possible.
In the mean time I shall take the liberty of submitting to
your consideration sonic observations which have been sug-
gested to me by certain passages in your letter, which require
particular notice.
In the first official letter which I had the honour of address-
ing to you, dated the 16th (28th) February last, I thought I
had succeeded in clearly demonstrating that the rights of Rus-
sia to the possession of a certain extent of the north-west coast
of America, as far as these rights can be rendered legitimate by
the first discovery, the first occupation, and a possession not
contested for more than half a century ; that these rights, I say,
go back to times considerably earlier than the reign of the
Emperor Paul I.
When this Sovereign granted, in 1799, to the Russian Ame-
rican Society its first charter of incorporation, there had
never been a question about abandoning to that Company the
right of sovereignty over one determinate portion of the north-
west coast of America in all its plenitude. The question was
purely and simply of conceding to the said Company a part
of the sovereignty, or rather certain exclusive privileges of com-
merce ; and it is in this view that the acts of 1799, to which
you refer, Sir, fixed the limits of the operations of the Russian
American Company.
The rights of sovereignty belonging to Russia could lose
nothing of their local extent in consequence of the concessions
made to that Company in the reign of the Emperor Paul„--
That these rights extended, in the opinion of the Imperial
Government, farther south than the 55th degree of latitude, ap-
pears evident from the structure of the 3d article of the act of
incorporation, which authorizes the Company to form esta-
blishments south of the 55th degree of north latitude.
But, what will dispel even the shadow of doubt in this re-
gard, is the authentic fact, that, in 1789, the Spanish packet
St. Chagos, commanded by Captain Hare, found in the lati-
tude 48 *la 49, AUSSIRU establishments to the number of eight,
consisting in the whole of 20 families and 462 individuals.
These were the descendants of the companions of Captain
Tchiricoff, who were supposed till then to have perished.
With such tides justifying the rights claimed by Russia, you
yourself, Sir, will agree that it is perfectly immaterial whe-
ther the Russian establishment at Nov Archangelsk be small
or large. If the right of territorial possessions were measured
according to the dimensions of the points occupied, what would
become of those of the United States upon a very considerable
extent of the same north-west coast ? for the only American
establishment ever yet known is certainly very inferior in sta-
bility to that of Russia at Nov ArclUmgelsk.
In the same manner the great extent of the Pacific Ocean, at
the 51st degree of latitude, cannot invalidate the right which
Russia may hava of considering that part of the ocean as close.
But, as the Imperial Government has not thought fit to take
advantage of that riglit, all fdrther discussion on this subject
would be idle. _

As for the right claimed for the citizens of the United States
of trading with the natives of the country of the north-west
coast of America, without the limits of the jurisdiction belong-
ing to Russia, the Inperial Government will not certainly
think of limiting it, and still less of attacking it there. But I
cannot dissemble, Sir, that this same trade beyond the 51st de-
gree will meet with difficulties and inconveniences for which
the American owners will only. have to accuse their own im-
prudence, after the publicity which.has been given to the mea-
sures taken by the Imperial Government for maintaining the
rights of the Russian American Company in their absolute in.
tegrity.
I shall no: finish this letter without repeating to you, Sir, the
very positive assurance which I have already had the honour
once of expressing to you, that in every case where the Ame-
rican Government shall judge it necessary to make explanations
to that of the Emperor, the President of the United States may
rest assured that these explanations will be always attended to
by the EMperor, my august Sovereign, with the most friendly
and consequently the most conciliatory disposition. Be pleased
to accept, Sir, the assurance of my high consideration.
PIERRE DE POLETICA.

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.