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


muster two hundred of the militia In order to keep
the Indians back.
tn. Russian Possessions In America.
lTranslsted from the Echo du pachque.l
Russian America Is one Of the points where the
empire OF the Gar touches that of Queen Vic
toria. Those who limit their observations to the
map Of Europe, can only partially appreciate the
roe of Russia in the world, and the possible
opposition and competition which she may expert
ence.
Not the two German powers-nor Turkey-are
alone exposed by the fact of vicinity to the ma
DGnyring of Mnscovite policy.
Great Britain Gas one might think, separated
from Russia by half the European continent) ia in
contact with that power-not indirectly only, but
immediately-in India, China, America.
not move in Europe, but It affects the commercial
interests OF EDgaDd-on the other il cannot act in
Asia and America without finding itself face to face
with the administrations of the British settlements
And it is for this reason that travellers, every
where discovering the double trace Of British power
and Muscovite extension, have exclaimed that the
empire of the world was divided By those two ma
tions.
But they have, SO far as RnAsia 10 concerned. con-
founded greatness with superhs -; and have done
injustice to Great Britain. in comparing her wealth
free popuaonwisn ths poverty and ne Of
an empire in which slavery rpr sses all national
progressive mpulse-where activity and the initis-
tive in all things are the province Of government
alone.
The territories belonging to Great Britain in
North America, are Of consider able extent To the
north Of Canada, stretching ~ far the base of
the Rocky Mountains, unfold themselves immense
plains, wsiered by great basins, lakes and rivers
enclosing what ID almost sea-Hudson Bay. The
vast domain of the British crown Is preserve for
the hunters of Canada and furnishes the fair danes
OF London, and the elegantes Of Paris with the most
precious furs. English energy could not be barred
from advancing by the chain Of the Rocky Noun
taips; and the Hudson's Bay Company have over
stepped the obstacle and secured itself outlet on
coast chain of trading posts which are 30 many
fortifcations The links In chain, encircling all
British America, succeed each other uninterrupted.
ly from California (Oregon) northerly to the 55th
Russian America. As we remarked at the COM
mencement of this article, the two powers touch
each other at this point Here they are rivals, and
wage pacific war for influence and trade, the pre-
lude to hOetilities more redoubtabe.
NOIthward, from the 55th to the 65th degree
of latitude are the principal establishments of Rus
Ella; but her territory is mere rband, extending
inward not over ten leagues. In the rear are the
the chief of the English company which holds this
territory for its use not many years ago naively
drew attention to the fact that this slip Of territory
of slight utility to Russia placed as seriously
to inconvenience the English trade on the coast and
that it's aggregation to the dominions swayed by the
sceptre Of Queen Victoria, would be productive of
many advantages. It interposes, in truth barrier
between the interior and the sea. The products of
the chase in the English hunting grounds lying near
the Arctic regions, find their only outlet to the Pa
cifc Ocean by descending to the English forts stu
ated on the coast great deal farther down. The
agents OF the company are thus compelled to multi
ply their journeyings through desert country, des
tute of roads, in which transportation is dangerous
toilsome and costly. This consideration is very i'm
portant
This Russian domination would be comprised. it
is likely, in case Of war, in that portion, at all
events OF its American territory, where presents
impediments to the development of English in
dustry.
We are not, however, to conclude with Sir Georre
Simpson, that Russia has but little interest in the
retention Of her American possessions The pro-
dnctions which she has drawn from them are of
considerable value and serve to augment the great
stream of commerce between America and Europe
which she painfully fosters and for which the ira.
ditioral policy of the Cars has created channel
across the Muscovite territory. Russian America
exports about 10000 seal SKINS &c, 900 sea.horse
teeth, 5000 otter skins, 1900 beaver skins, and
$500 fox and martin skins.
To country like Russia, where industry is fet
tered and little but raw materials produced such
traffic Is by no means unimportant.
New Archangel, the chief seat Of the Russian
power in America, is pretty little town built on
the Island of Sitka. The houses are ornamented
with carved work, in style peculiar to Russian
buildings, and not devoid of elegance. New Arch
angel, like its elder sister, the Archangel of the
White Sea, is so named from the Archangel Michael
1t commands wide, deep and secure bay, in which
the company's marine, consisting of five or six
sailing vessels, and two or three steamers, lies
conveniently at anchor. The fotilla, though all
composed OF merchantmen, is equipped for war; the
officers commanding it belong to the military ma
Iine and the port holes of the vessels when neces
sary can discharge grapeshot instead Of cargo. The
post itself is defended by two batteries maintained
in good order. The strait Cor channeD of Sitka,
cilities for defence The European inhabitants Of
New Archangel and its envir0ns number about one
thousand For the most part they are agents of the
company, and would answer at need to repel an ag-
erosion. But these are all the resources which
could be counted on for the defence of New Arch
angel. The natives few in number, who have their
encampments on the Russian territory consider
themselves independent; they have no feelings in
ments of the latter be attacked would probably see
in the event only chance TO crafty their inclina
ton for pillage, murder and destruction.
As for the numersts hunters in the service Of the
company they nearly all natives Of that chain of
islands which lies in the form Of q crescent of the
entrance OF the straits of Behring, and which is
known as the Aleutan Archipelago. Adroit hunt
ers Of harmless quarry, and daring whale
timdity is excessive; and the company could
certainly rely in degree upon their assistance
On the other hand, the Indians Of the country
whose attitude is decidedly, hostile, are very
warke races their revolt would be to the last degree
embarrassing to the government of New Archangel,
and it was partly to check and repress any mani
esaion Of these hostile sentiments that the estab
sbment was founded and carefully fortified. The
company had previously contented itself with the
maintenance Of detached posts on the coast; but
they were necessarily beseged by the Indians; and
after the capture OF two of these posts and the sa-
crice Of twenty five composing their garrisons
the Governor Of the Russian American possessions
the necessity of concentrating the forces which,
scattered as they previously, had been easy to
attack and destroy.
He beganby despat ching against the aggressors,
a little army composed of 500 Aleutians and a few
Russian soldiers. But the cowardce Of the first
caused the failure of the attempt The party did its
best to avoid meeting the Indians and returned as
guiltless of blood II had left Count BaranoH was
too brave and skilful to leave the Russian influence
check. He embarked his troops and colonis:s in
three AIMED vessels, and repaired to Sitka. Toe
native population was ready to receive him. He
found it assembled on the shore and entrenched
within palisades which the troops vainy essayed to