The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-29
Alfhars In washington.
Cozrespcadenoe Of the C0urer and Enqufef.l
WASHINGTON, July 1854.
The Purchase Of Russiun Ttrr,tosy on the Nu'h
P0cife.

Correspoodenoe Of the Courier and Enquref.l
WASHING TON, July J., 1854.
The Purchase Of Rus.iun 7srrao'y on tse N@ha
Pacific.
Inc administration has undor consideration pro-
position to purchase the Russian Territories IN
America, extending along tue Pacific from latitude
81 deg. 40 min. north, 10 the Polar Sea. Toe SUN
suggested 10 not large. II is the opiuiOn OF some
members OF the adminitra ion that the negotiation
VIII DC neither difficult nor tedious. Russia is not
teDaelou OF dominion on ttris continent Eight
years ago she voluntarily surrendered two promi,-
pg establishments In california. which, IL IN snaged
Win that iar-seeing prudence aud the energy which
aistps ulsh her statesmen, could hardly have failed
TO make the influence and power of the aut ,crat su
preme In Northern Mexico, and even to have added
TO ms empire The splendid Qusiti0ns Of California
and Sonora. Yet Bodeea was surrendered without
sation.
A single branch Of trade makes Stks, tho BUS.
American capital, place Of some consequence.
TINS is the leo trade With California. II Ia also
depot for tho fur trade and seal fishery and is in.
corp0yated with our Union, will be ONE q cOnve-
hicnt and Important stationior our whaling vessels.
DO net know that would he justified, fr0m the
gcnerpl current affairs at the federal capita in say
ing ibat :" "northward the star Of empire takes its
way" but the tide of annexation seems TO have
taken northern flow, and we may expect, perhaps.
during the term Of the present administration some
valuable territorial accessions in that direction.
zen. rieice, Gov. Marry, and Gen. Cushing aud
for any Information have to the contrary, sOne or
all Other Mcmbcrs Of the Cabinet sin erely deplore
tbc blunder by which Mr. Polk surrendered to Gfost
Britain the island Of Quadra or Vancouver, at the
outlet OF Puge.s Sound. This island would make a
beautiful Sta,c cOhtan ng an area of from thirty to
forty thousand square miles. and being covered with
forests, rich with coal and other mineral deposits.
Inc Bfitish government appears to attach very lit
ue lmportanee TO II, and has not managed t TO the
satisfaction Of its subjects, or with prOt to lis
exchequer, or 10 the commerce OF the Kingdom. In
American HANDS, il would be what California Orc
gon end Washington have each bcccme-rich, pow.
erful and prosperous Communities soveregrtes
within a splcDaid aggregation of independence.
Gen. Cas-, probably, had these inidatory pro-
ceediDgs Of the administration in view when in the
executive session Of Monday last. he delivered an
eloquent protest against sectional policy in that
grand scheme Of expansion which seems part OF
our national destiny. For himself while cheertully
supporting all just and necessary propositions for
the extension OF empire southwasd, he said he
could be brought to admi that q barrier should be
inteyposed to our advancement in the contrary di-
Tctian. lie distinctly statei that, in his belief the
tendency Of the pending treaty with Great Britain
ard the provinces was toward an ultimate union OF
these colonies with this republic; and, instead Of
regTottng or feeling any alarm at the prospect. he
lejoiCed ut it. This significant declaration OF the
veteran statesman prodnced, am informed, dee3
sensation, and gavo rise to an animated debate, as
noticed in my dispatch Of Monday night.
Correspondence Of the Journal of Cofanerce.l
,WAsHINoroN, July 20, 1854.
That treaty j. ON foot for the cessi0n OF the port
Of Stsa, and OF the Russian possessions on the
northwest coast, to the United STATES, in considera
ton Of a certain sum OF money!: very probable
Russia "wants money, and must have it," as used
to be sa:d Of Franco, at Tie time of the Louisiana
puf, bssc. The Russian loan goes OF heavily. Again
tie Cnu is not quite certain that, in Trotracted
war, lie can retain his power over Sitsa, or the
possessions on which it depends.
The United States government has OF late, di.
'ected its special Efforts TO the acquisition Ct such
dmain as tie United States may at amy future time
require. The policy may be sound in reference Co
territory shici cannot &c held by any foroa power
without prejudice % our future interests.
The iiasrtgn Territory the srth.wc-t caast has
.ttlc population except the lodans and the servants
and agents of the Russian Fur Company, and s,Iuc
200 scidiers al Sitka. The company drives valu lbe
trade with the indians, and from Sitsa leo is ex-
pm ted, AS lca from Gov. Stevens, TO ports south
Of i. Perhaps tho State OF Sitks, when we get it,
will be tho granite and ice State Of the Pacii,.
This government looks with covetous eye upon
the Oregon region totween fort nine degrees and
fifty four degrees forty minutes, and now contcm-
plates with regret the policy whereby il was abau-
doEed. The cry OF the I" remuneration OF Oregon
win soon be raised, and, by means or other 10y
purchase or tho voluntary dismcmbeiment oil the
region from Great Britain. and its voluntary annexa-
ton, IL may come under the government. Tho acqui-
sition OF the Russian territory win expedite this
result.