The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-11
NO. 3.
what Rus.Ia Proposes 40 s-n.


The Russians possessions in the Northwestern
rornn Of this continent have attracted so little
notice ON account OF the remoleness of their geo
graphical position the pauclty of their white pop
uIatinn, aud the insgnicance oi their commercial
! relations wth other parts OF the world, and now,
when attention is directed toward them by Rus
( sa's offer to transfer their ownership to US, we
fnd ii difficult 10 arrive al a proper knowledge OF
| tie territory pToffcred in exchange for some of
( Sureratundant millions But though cnmpara-
| lively unknown, the Russian possessions occupy
! a large space on the map Of North America. Ex-
| tending distance not exactly measured around
and above Nootka Sound, and reaching inland to
! the 1872 OF west longitude, Russian America en-
braces territory variuusly stated al from $4,000
| to 81 900 square miles, with an area equal 10
nearly eight Slatrs Of the size Of Pennsylvania.
This territory is bounded north by the Arctic
ocean, south and west by The Pacific ocean and
| Behring's Straits, and the east by the line OF
division from British America, which commences
on The Artic ocean at the l4lst parallel of long.
tude west from Greenwich, down to the Goth par
alle Of latitude, where it diverges and runs down
to latitude 55, on which it enters the Pacific. The
population Of this immense region does moi exceed
! fifty sixty thousand souls, Of whom ten thou
sand whites, principally Russians and other
Europeans and thrir descendants, who con-
ncctcd with the various trading seats OF the Rus
sian Fur Company.
The natives are chiefly Esguimaux and Nootka
Indians, hardy and vigorous race accomplished
in all the arts Of fishing and bunting, hit in every
other respect mSeraLly degraded and unciyitiz"d.
They held in stale of suhection by the
whites, with " hom they barter The skins and pei
tries gained by the chase Slka, or New Arch.
angel, port and town on the island Of Barranov,
in King Georges Archipelago, on The northwest
coast, is the chief Russian settlement and The
principal trading port Of the North American
Company. Bhrranoy, named after lis discov.
erer, but more generally known as Srka, is the
largest OF the Aautia islands and lies off the
mainland OF New Cornwall, at some distance
from the body Of Russian America. The town
is mere assemblage Of wooden houses, with that
usual append.ge OF Russian towns, fortress.
From thence The Fur Company directs IFS trade
with Russia proper, and also to small extent
with China and the Marquesa Islands. or late
years ice has also been sen; from there TO Calilor.
MIA. lis whole trade does not exceed half mil
lion Of dollars n year. and is rated by many al a
much lower figure. The control OF Russian
America is vested exclusively in the company,
whose directors reside at ST. Petersburg, aud pay
an annual tribute 10 The Czar for the almost abso.
lute privileges they enjoy
We have thus bra fly thrown together such par.
'iculars as we have been able 10 gaher IN relation
10 The territory which is offered 10 us by Rus.
sia. The motive whch has Induced thai ofT'-r is
undoubtedly The Cars inability 10 hold it against
the seizure threatened by England The latter
power has heretofore leen suspected of looking
with covctous eve upon The Aeniiati islands
and The present war affords them an opportunity
10 ob,ain them which she Hili moi be slow 10 adopt
Our Government has already been notified by The
British Minister at Washington Of her intention
10 al once effect The seizure The Car prefers
passing them over 10 us rather than her enemy
should s"cur. them as the spoils war, aud tIs
envoy is on his way TO this country empowered
10 make the cesson. Should cur govprnment
consent TO ;he purchase ard complete il before
the English cruisers, already instructed 10 seize
Sitka, effect that object of course Great Brl-
tain would be forced to respect our claim, though
she would probably contend that her notice of in.
tcnlon to take possession was designed to Pre-.
TCht the purchase. II is not fikcfy, however,
that Tbs pre'cnsion would be pushed 20 any dam
geroGs I"ngtll
Tie advantages that would result 10 the United
St0tcs from tie possession of Russian America
do not with our present knowledge OF Tie sub.
J"c', strike Us as Of remarkabIc importance though
qni'e different opinion is entertained in olher
quarters. The territory is separated from our
present possessions by the Whole Of British North
America, lis soil is sterile and vocnni, and the
climate cold and nhospitable. lis chief commerce
must always consist in surs. and its main value
10 Us exists in the facilities its ports would offer
TO our hardy wha!ers on The Northwest coast AS
HE Gar, however, IS disposed TO sell il cheap,
these inducements, with our mania for tile acdu.
siii"n OF territory: may prove sufficient, and if
he British cruisers do not anticipate US we NAV
soon he 10 possession Of territory from which we
IAN take elescopic view Of ASA, and in virtue
q our sovereign rights regulate the navgniion of
B'hring' straits and inc Arctic ocean, We aro
1apPE also to say tha; this proposed addition TO
our son VIII not excite the pr"judices Of the North
even the Tribune has no fears Of slavery going
here Balttnzore In1Gica1.