The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-26

markable for intelligence industry and prosperity.
Around Tob0lsk 10 considerable settled population,
composed chiefly Of exiles and the descendants Of
exiles, who have become permanent denzens OF the
country. From the Upper lntsch to the Sea OF
Okhotzk there are at intervals military posts, the
soldiers generally bearing, at least the name of Cos
sacks In advance of these along the slopes Of the
Al.ai, are q number of mining establishments, in
which not few Of the most adventurous and
escaped from the penal settlements. From Tobc sk to
Kachta along the line OF military posts is the great
highway of the Chinsee commerce. and trading set
Elements here and there TO he met with upon it,
to which the nomades bring their petries, and the
Altai miners their gold and other metals to exchange
for the commodities of Europe or China. From
Kiachta to Okhotzk, and the peninsula of Kam
schatka, there are two highways, upon which the
military posts less frequent while there are not
above half dozen trading stations. The trafi, along
this line is kept up by the exchange of few Chinese
and European goods for the peries OF the surround
ing regions and Russian America and the produce
OF the fisheries Of Okhotzk, Kamschatka, the islands,
and Russian America. The products of the Ural and
Altai mines valuable though their value has been
spectacle though not greater in amount than that Of
one of our third or fourth rate trading towns; the
trade of the regions to the east Of Kachta is utterly
Insignificant. The population of the four Siberian
governments OF TObOsk, TOmsk Jeniseisk, and Irk-
utch is estimated at about three Millions which. bear
ing in mind that the immense majority are savage
nomades, is probably not far from the truth.
The population OF the government of Orenburg is
an exaggeraton. Taking the lowest estimate of the
superficial extent uncovered by water) of Siberia,
have 3,600000 square miles occupied by four mil
lions Of inhabitants, only very small proportion Of
whom are civilized settlers. The military and civil
establishments of Siberia cost the Russian govern
ment annusly more than the revenue Of the country
The inhabitants remote from the seat Of government
too much scattered to be easily or cheaply cOerced,
enjoy kind of rude competence, bordering in some
affluence; but except rs swelling the acre
age which it is the boast OF the Car to rule
9 49, Lac, -
its strength. It can however, be scarcely considered
ncumbrance, for it is in no danger of attacks
from without. The scanty nOmade popul alton which
SCOUTS the broad Monaghan waste between China and
Siberia has no temptation to cross the Atai noun
tans in search OF less genial cii nate; MantchoOria
bas been depopulated ever since its population fol-
lowed their dynasty en- masse to the south Of the
Great Wall; and the robber hordes who swarm along
the frontier towards Orenburg, may perpetrate pre-
datory forays, but have neither the wish nor the
power to attempt nroads for conquest and permanent
occupation. If Russia will leave its neighbors alone
Russia may be at ease for many years for any dangers
that threaten 1t from the Siberian side.
But will Russia be wise enough to leave these
eastern regions in repose? If compelled to retire
from Turkey Russia will seek to indemnify itself by
pushing forward its frontier to the Amur, which it
has repeatedly attempted without success when
China was tranquil Indeed, the despatch Of the ship
of war which ocsasioned the late excitement at Ports
mouth for the Pacific looks as the idea Of aggression
in that quarter were already entertained. In the
present state of Chinese politics little opposition
be expected from China; but the extension OF the
Russian exclusive and vexatious system to the Amur
might bring on q collision with the United States.
1t Is also not improbable that attempts may be made
to recruit the Russian exchequer by additional i'm
posts on the Sberians among Others Nov, 1t is true
the progress Of Siberia, compared with that Of the
United States suggests low estimate OF Siberian
enterprise and intelligence. Russian settlement had
extended to Kamschatka before the American war Of
independence; since that time the population of the
United States has increased from two to twentyfour
millions; their wealth in a still larger ratio. The
population and trade OF Siberia have scarcely in
creased at all in the interval Yet among the traders
hunters fishers and miners of Siberia, is to be found
spirit more akin to that Of the Yankee than in any
other part Of the Russian dominions They are
hardy pioneers of civilizations they are contented,
for they have ample means OF subsistence, and are
little troubled by government; but composed in
great measure of exiles their descendants, they
haze little love for the Cars government. Any
measure tending to irrltate the Siberans and en-
broil Russia wish the United States, would ina libby
lead to iDsurrectiOnary movements which the Rus
sian government could not suppress except ct an
expense OF men and money far exceeding the value
OF the territory. 1t need surprise no one should ST.
IBERIA prove the first OF the oyergrow territories Of
Russia TO shake off the domination OF st. Petersburg
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE DANUBIAN
PROVINCES.
The Paris correspondent OF the Loudon Times,
writing Oh the 9Th OF December, ssys--I have this
day received the following lettei from Bucharest,
dated the 26th ult:-
sian authorities in Moldo Wallachia forbade the
portation Of corn from Gslstz aid Brailow. The
evils resulting from that measure were very great
aid hunters Of people were threatened with run.
Remonst aIces address ed to the Russian gov
| erument by some Of the other Powers upon the in
justice Of such proceeding in consequence of which
the Emperor has been pleased to cause the folio wing
decarationt o,be issued
In compl ance With the order OF His Majesty the EN-
pero the Comm apder in Chief Of tbs Imperial troops in
cicates the porte OF Brailou aud Gaaz as thoe which
tn q MAJ al fhH
Powers from the Black Sea who may return freely to
that ae having received their cargoes In the above
mentioned ports, condition that they shall abstain
before entering tn. ack Sea- from touchug at any Of
the ports on the Ianube. In consequence Of which
latz bound to present. their papers the Russian
consular agen &, who will furnish them (gratis) with
certificate ratIg the 5estina' ion Of the ship
.nd bearing the solemn declaration that IT, before
getting to sea, they leave provisions at
point wh tever OF the right bank of the Danube they
Will incur by that act the penalty Of sequestraton
Neutral ships hing to ,end the Danube and TO en-
ter directly into the Austrian dominons add which have
cAreoes destined either for BrailOw Gsl.tz or for ex
to The Black Sea must Also conior to the
Tsle ard be furnished with the Russian certificate ndi
eating their destination and bearing under pain Of 30
kind upon the right bank Of the danube As to neutral
ships wishing 70 asornd the Danube they shall meet
Or ovs they obtain certificate from the Russian oonsu
late stating that hey belong TO neutral Powers AID
that their cargo IL not destined for one OF the Turkish
| ports Of the Danube,
The Turks bave now retired from the entire line of
the left bank Of the Danube, with the exception OF
Kalefat, in which town and the immediate neghbor-
hood they still remain unmoested. They also occupy
the little island of Mokan, opposite Giurgevo. where
they pass their time in firing, under cover Of the
trees, at any Of the Russian soldiers that may come
within their reach. At Kalefat the Turks are push.
ing on their advanced post 10 Krajova- In all they
at this point about 20 900 men. The great
est mystery envelopes the movements Of the Russian
army but have reason to believe that Prince Gortscha
| kof is silently neditating movement in the neigh
borhood of Kaleat. 1t is evident that the Princes
tactics to induce the Turks to assemble in force
some one point and then to fall upon them suddenly.
Such his plan st Oltentza but the great slaughter
in theRusssn ranks must have shown him that he had
moderated bis adversary The Russians have not been
able to hold the quarantine point Otenitza for the
place csh at any moment be swept by the guns Of
TurtUka But why the Turks should abandon
place which is so well protected cannot conceive;
else, why did they cross the Danube at all I The