American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-05-07
VOL. 1.

situated, not on the American Continent but upon
an slandin latitude 81, and the principle upon which
you state that this claim is now advanced, is that
the 5lst degree is equi-dstan from the settlement
LOT Nov Archangelsk and the mouth Of the Coum-
bia River But from the statement it appears,
that in the year 1892 the limits prescribed by the
Emperor Paul to the Russian American Company
were fixed at the 55th degree of latitude and that
in assuming now the latitude Of 81, a preten-
sion is asserted, to which settlement, made since
the year 1899, has given the color of sanction
This preteasnn is to be considered, not only with
Preference to the question of territorial right but also
to that prohibition to the vessels Of other nations,
including those OF the United States as an indepen-
dent nation their vessels have freely navgated those
seas, and the right TO navigate them is part Of that
independence.
With regard to the suggestion that the Russian
government might have justified the exercise of
sovereignty over the Pacific ocean as close sea,
because it claims territory both on its American Sc
Asatic Shores it may suffice me to say, that the dis
lance from shore to shore this in latitude 81
north. is not less than 80 degrees Of longitude
1000 miles.
AS little can the Urted States accede to the JUS
tce of the assigned Tor the prohibition above
mentioned.
The right Of the citizens of the United States to
hold commerce with aboriginal nations OF the north
west of America without the territorial luris-
o war, is as clear an indisputabe as that of nayi
lgatng the seas-that right has never been exerci-
lsed In spirit unirendly to Russia; and although
general complaints have occasionally bee made Oh
1.-The subject of this by Of your pre-
Idecessors, no specific ground OF charge has ever
IbeeD alledged by them, OF any TRANSACTIONS in it
which the United States were by the Ordinary laws
land usages OF ma ions, bound either to restrain to
Ipunish. Fad any such charge been made it would
have received the most pointed attention vi this 60
lvernment, with the sincerest and rmest disposition
Ito perform every act and obligation of Justice to
Iyours, which could have been required am COM
manded by the President OF the United States to as
lsure you, that this disposition will continue to be
Eentertained, together with the earnest desire thas
1.-THE most harmonious relations between the two
countries may be preserved.
Relying upon the assurance in your note of SINH.
lar dispositions recprocally entertained by his i'm
lperiai majesty towards the United States the Pre-
sident is persuaded that the citizens of this union,
Twill remain unmoested in the uton OF their
lawful commerce, and tina! no effect will be given 10
Ian Introduction manfestly incompatible with their
rights
| am happy to renew the assurance of my distin--
(Signed) JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Mr. Polsca's letter at the close Of this document,
lis very interesting, and contains the following threat
lc'%fS PaoSdoCt Aih iSP'J tO'iAS "oOrS}-
sAs TO the right claimed for the ctzens of the
United States of trading with the natives of the
country of the Northwest co; st of America without
1.-THE limits of the jurisdiction belonging to Russia
the Imperial government will not certainly think oil
limiting it, and still less ofattacking it But
cannot disc mble sir, that rhis trade beyond
the 51st degree will not meet soift difficulties and in
eonvenieneirs. for which the American owners will
onIy have to their imprudence, alter the
publicity shich has been given to the ia
/, ken by the Imperial government for maintaining the
. rights of the Russian American Company. in their
n absolute mtegrity!"
Mr. Cocke remarked that the gentleman from Va
e Mr. Floyd who moved the resolution was not in
This place, he therefore moved to lay the commune
cation the table which was agreed to. The Com-
munication and documents were ordered to be prin-
8 tied.
III The rAme;ns of Miss lane E'H.reo vhoea daa,h