The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-09-12

in this City, on the 26th inst.
The Amoor River.
The war with Russia, by which hostiities
are carried into remote and little known re-
gions, is causing general reference to geo
graphics and gaz,ttecrs to learn more of GER
portions Of the world whose uncouth
names recent events are making us familiar
with. The Amoor river, to which the Rus
SLAMS fed from Pctropaulowski, has lately
bean brought into notice in this way. THIS
river is the virtual, but not tn, recognized
boundary of Russia. The whole valley of
that stream belongs to the Chinese Empire,
but during the civil war which has distracted
China, the Russians have seized the Amoor
and the country north of it,, which, though
long claimed BY them, has never been actual
ly in their possession until this seizure
They have built forts at the mouth of the
river, and sent out stcamors to navigate it.
Petropaulowski was cut of from interior
communication, except by long and difficult
routes. But the settlement ut tho Amoor
has the advantage of steam communication
with the remote interior Of Siberia. Accord
ing to McCullogh, in the lower part Of it's
course it flows through comparatively rich,
we'll cultivated country" Finley also says
| in relation to this river
In almost every point Of view, tho Amoor
river is the most valuable stream in North
ern Asia. OF all the large rivers Of that
boundlcss region, it is the only one that
emptics itselr into navigable part Of the
universal ocean. 1t is in fact the only high
way Of nature that directly connects the CEN
trail sscppes of Asia with the rest of the
world.''
| Since it's occupancy by the Russians il has
/ been made the seat Of large and growing
trade. Its Importance in this respect, and
its greater capability for defence were no
doubt the reasons influencing the Russian
authorities to choose it, rather than petro-
panlowski, as the point at which they would
meet the allied attack. They have been for
some time past strengthening their position
there, and the mouth Of the river is now de-
Tended by strong forts, garrisoned by eight
thousand men. The Russian ships collected
there consist of the frigates Pallas and Au-
rora, the corvette Dwlna, two steamships,
and few transports. 1t is believed that
they have all been partly disarmed, and con-
veyed as far up the river as possible, so as to
be placed beyond tho reach of guns Of the allied
squadrons. Much of tho materials and pro-
visions for tho foundation of this new set
Element it is believed have been obtained
from San Francisco. The following item on
the subject is extracted from the San Fran
cisco .Aita Of August:
! Some months since, the banks Cyane and
Palmetto cleared from this port for the Rus
sian Possessions, with full cargocs, consist
ing Of large quantities Of provisions, lum-
ber, m ,ch;nery, furniture, \ complete saw
mill, iron, hardware, hollow ware of all
kinds, and in fact the paraphernaiia Of quite
= little colony. These vessels were loaded
and despatched with great privacy, the
stevcdore refusing to give any information
N = their destination. The facts, ~ vet
are only known to the parties interested. We
are able to state, however, with considerable
confidence, that these vessels proceeded to
the Amoor River, in Asiatic Russia, possibly
touching at Pstropaulowski, on the route
One hundred miles above its mouth = splen.
did country exists, the greater part of which
is clad with inexhaustible forests of pine and
fir, and here the Company are able to locate
branch house, and eventually communicate
with Russia and China. The Amoor or Sag
halian river is considered as the dividing
line between the two cmpircs-with the vast
province of Mantchooria on the South, and
Southern Siberia on the North. A trade
once established, and California would pour
her products into the lap of Asia, by cham
! Baltimore Amer.
| Virginia honors her noble sons-Massa-
chusetts honors her ignoble sons, and closes
the doors Of Fanueil Hall against her Web
ster-dishonors the noblcst Of them all.o--
Waslt ington Sentinel.
When did Virginia honor her noble sons
Was it when she cast her vote for little Matte
Van, the trcacherous Abolitionist, in prefer
ence to General Harrison, one of the purcsi
of patriots md most trusty of soldiers, who
spent nearly his whole life in the service OF
his country? Was it when shc threw herself
into the arms Of that political intriguing
demagogue, James K. Polk, in preference to
Henry Clay, the most distinguished orator
and statesman whose life graces the pages
of our country's history? Was it in voting
for Lewis Cass, Northern man with South.
ern feelings, in preference to Gen. Taylor,
the hero of Buena Vista. when almost every
State in the Union testified their admiration
of his worth by honoring him with their suf-
fragcs? Was it when she voted for the little
New Hampshire pettifogger, Franklin Pierce,
whose name, the Sentinel itself has said, is
reproach to his friends, and by-word
among his enemies, in preference to General
Winfield Scott, whose distinguished services,
and splendid military achievements have
covered himself and his country with honor
and renown? Were not Harrison, CLAY,
Taylor and Scott noble sons of Virginia S''
Yet we are told that V;r0;n;a 4 -, 49,. Ia ..n