The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-04-16

STATE DKPAnTMESr.

i reached Ikoustc the 9TH OF January last after
passage of thirty-fye days from MOSCOW halted at
the most important and interesting cities ON the way in
order 10 gain what information could in respect TO the
commerce OF the country.
At Mine Noorgorod the seat OF the great fair stop
ped 10 look at its situation The sale Of tea at the late
fair amounted to six millions nine hundred and twenty
thousand rubes, tsilyer The whole value OF trade at
the fair three hundred millions of rubles
Should the Anon river be opened to commerce it
would not injuIe the trade of this city, for there
would he commerce enough for all when the coun-
try Is opened and known. European Russia must still
continue 10 draw her teas overland. The opening
of direct between Siberia and the United
states by way of the Amoor would develop immense
amount of commerce latent, would stimulate all
branches OF industry and finally make that vast country
known to the world lt possesses immense mineral
wealth. but wants population and enterprise. Mine is
well built the west bank of the yoa where the okah
Joins II from the west There forty steamers
the Nolga, and commerce is rapidly increasing The dis
lance to Astrakan and the Caspian is twelve
hundred yerss The river Is frozen, but not yet sui
GENTLY TO risk ride it to Kazn, FIVE hundred
versts to the east. halted at Kazan the old Tartar
capital 1t is fine city, and commands much
At Ecatherineburg remained two days This is the
tire and capital of mining operations in the Ural
ains. The trade concentrating here seems to be
large. 1t is beautiful and welbuilt city, and takes
one by surprise, perchcd it Is the pinnacle, and
in the very heart of the mountains half European,
half Asatic The product Of the mines gold is said to be
five millions, and the variety Of minerals precious stones,
and marbles is truly wonderful. The government has
mint for copper and other works for IRON marble and
precious stones Inen the next point of interest;
here is gathered the eastern Siberian trade import and
export descending FROM the other resting to gather
strength the Ural from Asia Europe Tobolsk
formerly engaged this commerce, but Tumen, being
direct has superseded it. Thence by Orusk, which is
well-but city, reached Tonusk where rested to OBJ
the opening of the annual fair, This is quite
important point, and to command extensive
trade between this and 0rlIsk commenced to meet
Of sa1e lyxitI ton
is of the great haltng places for these trains, and
where the tea discharged and taken by other Trains
the trains that bring the tea returning with other
chandse. saw in the open streets piles OF tea being
loaded ON its way to Mine Noorgorod The amount and
variety of merchandise displayed here quite astonish
ing; and with frost at 80 deg of Reaumur, business
brisk possible From this to Crasnoyonsk the
Der of tea and other trains increase and TO say that
Thousand sleds in days travel would be within
the mark. At Crasnoyonsk rested to learn something
of mining operations in that region This place is the
porium capital OF very extensive odmining region
the Jcnesai The iipacers Immediately in the yicin-
y are somewhat exhausted but to the north for seven
hundred versts and in other directions there extern
sve and rich mines. New discoveries are also being
made the country is carefully explored for which
purpose the natives of the country employed in the
summer While speaking of gold will state facts
learned here, Qrkoutsk.) saw miner who employs
twelve hundred men in ''pacer dggings one thousand
yersts to the northeast OF this place stream that falls
into the Lena His mines produced last hundred
and fifty pools Of gold which, thirty six of pounds
the pood gives FIVE thousand four hundred and six
pounds. estimating the value of pound Of gold trough
y) at two hundred dollars will give million eight
hundred thousand dollars nine hundred dollars to the
hand and owing to the severity OF the climate but five
months in the year be employed In labor. Another
establishment OF two thousand hands yielded eight hun
dred and twentyeight dollars to the hand. This
ainly will compare fayorably with the mines OF Caor
mia have samples and specimens of the gold and
sand which closely resemble those found in California
In fact from all can gather certain sections Of this vast
country wonderfully rich in gold and as all that is
dug has to pass into the government mint the amount
obtained remains unknown TO the public.
! find this very pleasant city and the centre of
all that is interesting in eastern Siberia 1t is the
of power for this region, and worthy of critical anal
ysls The appearance in this remote region of any
foreigner would create at least curiosity, and
inquiry to the motives and object of his visit but be-
ing the first American who had visited this city, with
the exception OF Captain Hudson who brought out the
steamship America for Russian service at the AMOR who
arrived here overland from Ayan few days previous to
my VISIT il excited unusual curiosity There is much
wealth here and great company is talked of to put
st, am the Amoor we'll on the Lake Baka There
is steamer the lake, the only in Siberia, of
eighty horse power, built eight years since. The
clnery il German. At present the only way Of pro-
curing machinery is overland from Ecatherincburg,
three thousand five hundred versts distant. Coal and
iron abound here and yet little has been done to de-
yelop them Iron Is made, but no machinery. Within
few days shall go To kyachta and Mia-ma tchin to
southeast direction, about five hundred and fifty verss.
The Baikal Lake is frozen, and the whole distance
will be performed in sleigh with post horses.
take the liberty of mentioning it may not be
the system of posting in Russia having
had good opportunity to observe 1t from Moscow to this
city, distance Of five thousand yersts, and some
twelve degrees OF longitude than from Boston to
Astoria.
This system OF posting originally established by
the government for its own sole purposeshst strictly
military; then followed the mail for the public; and
finally ior the Of travellers There is from this place
10 Moscow two hundred and ten stations, at which six
roylIhs, eighteen horses contracted for by the
TO carry the mail twice week. at three hun
dred rabies each tro, kali per year. The stations
originally built by the government and postmaster APP
pointed to reside at each This arrangement conpels the
to furnish the mail with the necessary horses and
vehicles; the horses al other times with the exception
OF troykah which must remain always for the dcs-
patch Of government couriers at the command of
travellers who carry what is called .sparlaroshua
thl Is, order by the government on the postinast
eis to furnish certain number of horses for this pa
,roshua;' the government receives when delivered to
you onehllf of copcce per horse for the dis
lance YOU to travel by post This order besides be-
ing an absolute command the postmaster to fur
nsh the horses which required authorizes them, in
the pot horses employed in the transportation OF
the mail, TO procure conmand other horses from the
peasants OF the villages. The system in Russia very
complete, and seems TO work well, and Is worthy of
sideration by government in post road DC
from our western frontier to California The
distance from Moscow 10 this city Is ''j I3s verss:'
the yerst being two-tlrds of our mile. will give
thirty -four hundred and twentysix miles; this is
accomplished under ordinary circumstances IN twenty
five to thirty days and BY courers In fifteen
TO twenty days, ordinarily in sixteen, seventeen,
eighteen days There two hundred and ten stations
-