The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-22

lapd the trouble Of further anxiety on our ac-
count.
The Earopean War--Russixn Possessions on
the Northwest Coast OF Amcrica-POiicy OF
the United States.
The naval operations of England against
Russia in the progress Of the existing war, we
may safely assume will not be limited to the
Black Sea and the Baltic Wherever Russian
coast, or naval or commercial station, or squad
ron, or detached ship, may be SEIZED. John
Bull will be very apt to seize it. Thus, the
Russian squadron which has lately been cruis-
ing among the islands Of Japan is in danger
from the British feet in the Chinese waters,
and the Russian seaboard north of China, as far
as it will pay expenses, may count upon the
hazards of bombardment and spoliation. So
Of the Russian possessions on the northwest
coast of America. Lying contiguous TO Bri-
fish Oregon, the chain Of Russian islands which
run along the coast for several hundred miles
down to Mr.. Folks fighting line Of 81 40. are
particularly exposed to seizure and confsca-
ton by her Britannia Majesty's cruisers.
This chain of Russian islands on the north
west coast bears striking analogy in q laval
and commercial point to the northeastern fish
ing grounds, concerning which, on account Of
their great value, we have been repeatedly
more than half inclined to 60 to war with
England. in connection with the Bri.
fish coast Of Oregon, those Russian islands
will ultimately be, in the possession Of
England or the United States, of even
greater Importance, both for naval and
commercial purposes, than the colonies of
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Between
Pugets Sound and Behring's Straits there
are valuable fisheries, as yet undeveloped, but
capable, no doubt, OF being made the source of
great and profitable traffic. Coal mines. too
have been discovered in those high ATTITUDES
These on Nancouvers Island, we believe, now
supply the steamers which run from the Sound
apa the meYtb sG pie 81 TIE ines smsSf qG
ship bnilding purposes lire the coast, from the
Sound northward into the Russian possessions.
The Russian seaports of Sitka and New Arch
angel, before our acquisition Of California, car
ried on q considerable trade with that country,
extending their operations as far south as San
Diego. But the highest immediate value of
this chain of Russian islands is in connection
with the great whaling grounds which lie to the
west and north Of them In those waters, in the
course of single year. several hundred whaling
ships. chiefly American, enter for their cargoes
whale oil and bone, or to make up their car
goes, after failing among the spermaceti whal
Of the warmer latitudes Of the Pacific. With
the opening Of steam communication between
California and Oregon on the one side, and
China, Japan and Australia on the other. the
Importance Of the Pacific whaling grounds
will be largely enhanced, and in cores
ponding degree the value of those Russian
islands which are the immediate subject under
discussion and OF the contiguous sea coast, as
nursery for our fishermen and seamen, and as
depots for shipbuilding materials and shipyards.
will be also increased. Hence the Importance
to the United States of any movement calcu-
lated to weaken the foothold of England on the
Northwest coast Of America and TO strengthen
our own.
Ii must be manifest TO every intelligent
reader that the possessions of Russia on the
Northwest coast of this continent. are held at
this time subject at any day to seizure and an
nexation by Great Britain. The addition of
those islands and seacoast lying north of "a
deg. 40 min. to British Oregon, would make
that colony 80 valuable to its owner as torender
its ultimate acquisition by the United States
impossible, except from the chances of external
war or internal revolution. But the Russian
possessions in question may undoubtedly be
purchased by our government, at this crisis. for
less than cost price, and their acquisition would
so far hem in the possessions of the Hudson Raw
Company as to make their purchase at reason
able sum natural consequence. 1t NAV there
fore, be worth while to admonish orr government
that the position of, this republic as the first
commercial nation Of the world-that our terri
tories on the Pacific, and our prospective trade
across that ocean with the nations and islands
Of Asia-suggest the policy of strengthening
and extending our commercial facilities where
ever the opportunity is offered, without dis
turolng our peaceful relations with other
powers, and especially wherever an adyan-
tageous bargain Of annexation may be made.
In this broad and general view, when Hon.
duars, through her Minister to Washington
shall lay before our government an offer COM
prehendlng the incorporation of that State into
our Union, quietly and peacefully, and with
Out the extortions Of Gadsden treaty. we
should close in with the offer, for our constitu-
ton and our institutions, our enterprise, and
our - manifest destiny" are sufficiently CO.
hesive and elastic TO cover the continent ana |
It's contiguous islands, of all sizes and IN oil |
attitudes Hence, also, ii the Russian
territories in question can be purchased
or mere trife at this time. il is our
'olicy and our duty 10 purchase them
vs Lave teen very distinctly asm9sisned by