The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-03

MY ieegueS-atcr which II was transferred to the
sbips, which transported il 10 Sitka.
The delay and difficulty of a method like tb;a
made provisions expensive and rendered the supply
OF them uncertain. The colony was liable to Ia
mine, and had even to pay an exorbitant price for
its aliment. successor Of Count Badanoff " Won
Resanof, conceived the idea Of founding on the
Fame coast of America, but in more southern
region, agricultural colony for the support OF the
pal ent &c Element. &&
In the month Of March Of the year 1906 with this
purpose in view, be appeared Off the Columbia river
but unable to pass the bar he sailed down the coast
and finally planted his colony in fertile vale Of
California This region was at the time considered
as Spanish territory, but the attention Of govern
ment at Madrid was then too much absorbed liz
other matters TO allow it TO oppose, or even to OBJ
serve the Russian intrusion. The settlers erected
two forts. and finally undertook the cultivation Of
the fertile territory on which they squatted. Soon
however, although their labors were repaid hum
bred fold, they let themselves be diverted from the
chief object OF their settlement for industry
lucrative, though less useful aud durable.
The territory which they had occupied abounded
in game Of all sorts. including many animals, the
furs of which were valuable. The new colonsts ne
elected agriculture, and spent their time in hunting.
They made such 1ayages that the whole family q
country (whoee "pluRder" is customarily sent 70
European marketsD were entirely cleaned out In
few years. the single trading post established By
Won Resanotf sent to Russia the enormous quantity
Of $4,000 otter skins, and proportionate number
Of seal skins.
The fertility Of the soil was extreme, notwisa-
standing the negligence Of its cultivators, whose at
grain enough not only for the support Of the colony.
but for the supply Of the inhabitants of Sitka-
Although the court Of Spain, was not at that time
In q condition to oppose the establishment Of the
off bad the necessity Of obtaining some sort q
sanction for the existence OF his colony; and with
that purpose IN view be repaired to San Francisco.
q Se che
was Argueo, had several daughters, and one II
them donna Concepci0n) made q very lively i'm
precision upon the Russian generals heart.
the following portrait Of the young spanish maidea
"She was animated and cheerful, with eyes at once
sparkling and tender; che had fine teeth, agreeable
and impressive features, charming figure, and
thousand other attractions. She was remarkable,
moreover, for artless simplicity"
1t was by no means difficult for Won Resanof 70
persuade himself that he should best serve the
policy OF his master by marrying Donna Conoep-
cion. twOuld have been sort Of dynastic alliance
which would have consolidated the friendly relar
tons existing between the Russian and Spanish
Americans. It would not fail, ut all events, to en-
sure the Russian colony in California the good WI
OF the Spanish authorities of the district.
Won Resanof was no vulgar swain; he knew how
to inspire the same passion that was felt by him
self Everything seemed to favor his desires; but
an obstacle still existed. Van Resanof was Of the
Greek faith Donna Conception was Catholic. In
his official position the Governor could not, without
the consent of the Emperor, his master, espouse Q
person protesting Ithe Roman faith. The preten-
sions Of the Gears to papal power are as ancient
as the existence Of their government and IS jealous
of their spiritual as of their temporal authority
the one serving to enhance and strengthen the
other.
On the other hand too, the Commandante Argu-
clio doubted his own authority to legaze the exist
ence of the Russian colony, without the previous
sanction Of the court of Spain. 1t was finally set
tied that Won Resanoff should go to St. Petersburg,
and thence to Madrid, to remove every difficulty II
the way. He set out, but his journey was shorter
than was anticipated. He had travelled but short
way through Siberia, when he wus accidentally
thrown from his horse, and died at Krasnoyarsk.
His extreme haste proved fatal to him.
Donna Conception long waited the return of her
afhanced husband. in ignorance of his death; and
when the knowledge of that event at length reached
her, she retired to convent, and, without taking
the vows consecrated her life to the instruction Of
youth.
She only wanted youth it is said, to realize the Dor
trait which Langsdor has left of her She still re-
tains the aabiity and aressness the grace of feat
trading posts of the British Hudson's Bay Company,
though very matteroffact sort of person, was UNI
able to resist the charm of this episode of love,
which breahes all the spirit Of the old chivarous ro-
nance. Nothing, indeed, is wanting to complete
the resembance-neither the lovers ardor to brave
fatigue and peril, the ladys constancy in long
awaiting the knights return-the tragical death,
nor the convent veil. 1t is only at the other ex-
tremty of the world that such things are still seen.
The end of the Russian colony in California wss
tragic, as was the love story of its founder.
The animals which were here sought for their fuxs
having become extinct, it was soon found that the
Muscoyite settlement cost more to maintain than Il
was worth. The gold mines were yet undiscovered.
and towards 1S43 or 1874, the Russian government
resolved to abandon these attitudes. Tae bargain
was soon struck with the Hudsons Bay Company.
which engaged to furnish the Sitka colony with q
certain yearly supply Of wheat. The sustenance Of
New Archangel being thus assured, Russia ceded
her settlements in California to SWISS and aban-
doned them The colcnists were transferred to Sit
mineral riches; and at this day all the productive
force which Russia commands in America is cOncen-
trated in the regions of the north.