The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-06 00:00:00

Russia

States.

On the 19th ult. General Clay, the American
Minister in Rmuaia, while travelling in the interior,
was entertained by the Corporation of Merchants at
Moscow. On alighting at the Mercantile Academy,
where the dinner took place, General Clay and Mr.
Curtin, his Secretary of Legation, were received by
the directors of the Academy and some members of
the committee of reception. Having been conducted
to the banqueting-hall, the guests were again for-
mally received by the committee, and the more
eminent among the company presented to them.
The latter consisted of 127 Russians, among whom
some of the great dignitaries of the city are men-
tioned as having been present.
The company having seated themselves, the
orchestra played " Yankee Doodle" and a Russian
national air amid universal applause. M. Ryasonoff,
the President of the Corporation, proposed the first
toast. He said--
' Gentlemen,—The first toast at every Russian dinner is
The health of the Emperor.' It is but paying him the
natural tribute of our boundless love and devotion to wish
him health and a happy reign for many years to come !"
The American " Hurrah !" and the Russian
Oorrah !" which responded to this toast mingled
with the sounds of the orchestra striking up the
Russian national hymn. M. Lyamin, the Pre-
sident of the Imperial Exchange, next rose to ad-
dress the company in the following terms ;--
"Gentlemen,—For mercantile men entertaining the
Minister of the United States in this country nothing would
be more natural than to speak of our wish to enter into
more direct and intimate commercial relations with the
great commonwealth he represent& Much, indeed, might
be said on the mutual advantages likely to attend an alli-
ance between our rising industry and America, a country
abounding in raw materials of every description. But in
inviting our honoured guest we were actuated by motives
other than commercial. About a year ago a Russian squad-
ron cast anchor on the American shores. On that occasion
our sailors met with a most cordial reception on the part of
the Americans. To be a Russian, in the eyes of the Ame-
ricans, was the best title to a friendly welcome; and that at
a time when we were looked upon with adverse feelings by
certain other nations in different parts of the world. Gen-
tlemen, a Russian cannot but love his country with enthu-
siasm, and for this reason foreigners loving Russia and the
Russians have a claim to our gratitude and esteem. Now,
the Americans, setting aside all considerations of minor
importance, and paying no regard to the changing aspect
of polities, have ever shown themselves friendly to this
people and Government. Let us, therefore, gratefully ac-
knowledge their amicable disposition towards this empire,
and let us drink to the health of the worthy and highly
esteemed Andrew Johnson, the President of the great
Power on the other side of the ocean—the President of the
United States of America."

Protracted " Oorrahs!" followed this toast, the
band joining in with " Hail, Columbia." At the
request of the committee, General Clay permitted
the following telegram to be sent to the American
Consul at Liverpool, for transmission by mail to the
addressed :

44 To his Excellency Andrew Johnson, President of the
United States of America.

" The merchants of Moscow, welcoming to their city the
Minizter of the United States, drink to the health of your
Excellency.

" THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF