Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-13
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JAxuAm 10, 1888
ACCOUNT OF AN ALMOST UNKNOWN
COUNTRY.

The San Francisco Herald, 9th instant M
nounccs the arrival in that city OF Mr.. T. Nc
ID. Collins, on his return from one OF the most
interesting expeditions of modern times. over
land, through Northern Ruesa, from st. p
torsburg to tho AMOR river. Tho journey
occupied cxac'ly one year
Twelve monthsago Mir. Collins left st. Pc
tcrsburg, travelled from thence to Moscow, 10y
railroad, und from thence through Siberia III
slo gcs and tolcgas to Chctah, tho capital OF
tho Trans Baikal province, situated on the
river Ingodal, one OF the main sources oi the
AMOR. where nc waited Tor the breaking up
of the ice in tho river, aud then, accCmpan,
led by four Cossack soldiers, and by Mr.
Fulh,lm. the Governor OF the Russian
American Company at Ayan. proceeded down
to tho Amoor, and along the rivor to tho Ia
oiic.
From Mr.. Collins We have obtained much
interesting information in relation 10 o
vast region through which ho travelled anu
about which 40 littlo is known. ITO speaks
in tho highest terms OF tho Russian oihc'n'H
with whom he had intercourse. Americans
nre oyerywhorc highly regarded by the l'us
sians. and arc always treated with ceory cou1-
tosy and respect. The party of which Mr..
Collins formed one were not molcstcd by the
Nomadic tribes who inhablt great portion
Of the region through which they travelled
They found 1t necessary, however, to be CRU
tious in their intercourse with them. Du.
ring his Journey, Mr.. Collins stopped for
some time ut Kyackta and MInmRttschn.- go
These towns arc located eide by sdc Tho
former il inhabited by the Russians, and tie
latter by the Chinese. The boundary hue
of tho two nations runs between. 1t IL
marked only by board fence. They are
both walled in and fortified At this point
all the legitimate trade OF tho two countries IL
carried on.
To M,nmnt,nchin, tho Chinese convey from
tho interior their tens and other goods on buI-
locks and camcls. and to Kyncktn the Rus
sinns bring their con- moditics, and IN this way
tho exchange il made The trade which cen
tros nj this point is estimated to amount to over
thirty millions of roublos per annum. While
mt Kyackta, Mr.. Collins ossnyod to enter the
Chinese dominions. and proceed to Pekin,
which is about $50 miles to the south lie
Joined nm ambassador, sent out by tho KuS
sim Government TO treat with tho Emperor
for tho purchase Of tho country lying along
tho AMOR River.
Tho whole OF this region, according to
n treaty made in tho reign OF the Empress
Cathariuc, belongs to the Chinese; but the
Russians nro now IN possession oil several
portions Of it. Thoy are willing TO acquire
1t by purchase but II an overture to that CT
foot is rejected. they arc prepared to take IT.
Neither tho Russian Ambassador nor Mr..
Collins could obtain permission to proceed to
Pokin, and thoy were both obliged to return.
The Russians have greater facilities OF OF
tanning correct views IN relation To matters
in China, than any other nation IN the world.
Thore is in Pekin what IL termed the Russian
College. Ii consists of ten missionaries OF the
Greek Church. These ten missionaries re-
main for ton years, and are then replaced 10y
ton more.
During tho decade Of their sojourn, they
arc not permitted to eli any vacancies that
may DO caused by death or any other casual
ty. They arc treated in tho Chinese capital.
with great respect, and are allowed guard
of honor. Through tho agency OF the col
loge, the Russian Government obtains rclia
BILE information of every thing that transpircs
ut tho court Of his Celestial Majesty. After
his unsuccessful attempt to penetrate through
the Chinese territory TO Pckin, Mr. Collins
proceeded 10 Chetnh, situated at tho head
waters of tho Amor river. The province
of which it ia tho capital, IL rich IN mineral
resources. Ii abOunds in mines OF gold, al
yer, and copper. The gold IL found IN the
river tod and gulchcs. There are no quartz
mines. Tho annual yield is estimated at
Ave milions Of roubles. The silver mines are
worry rich.
They arc both worked by tho convictH
transported to Siberia by tho Russian gov
ernmcut, under tho supervision OF military
officers. Private parties nrs not permitted ~
take out the precious metals IN thIs sccttrn
of tho country. In other places they arc nj
lowed To mino under certain restrictions, and
are obliged to pay the Government certain
per ccntagc upon all they take out
4 LEXhNDKlh COUNTY COrE1 Darr"
~ nEp Trnt, s57.--Orirrrd That ia" hh"r
N OF this County proceed 10 HISS Der, "'crd
ing 10 Law, all fnrg NEGnnra VII" have MT paid
their Taxes aud L,vics Tor III" yrat 1851
A copy t,s'c y. n BERRY, Clerk
IN ACCORDANCE with the abDyc order, ]
shall on The lat day NJ FGLJnny rov'i, 1853
offer for HIRE, IN front OF The Court ii"us" "H
this County, all FREE NEGROES wh" haY"
not paid their Taxes and L"yi"s for N" yc"f
1857 h. ShNISlEE, hhrnh
Jan 7-eotd Alexandra County, va.
A DESIRABLE FARM FOR SALE, adj.
~ Joining BrcntsylIlr, the county scat oi
Prince William, containing TWO HUNDRED
AND SIXTY ACRES of excellent farm or
grazing land, some fry Of SIXTY acres beng bot.
tom land, the remainder rolling, Nith snmclrh'
fvA timber, for the use Of The farm. Inc
laiE HOUSE ~ comfortable twos'"ry hnck,
with other out buildings, aud some three OF dur
cxcsllcn, never failing springs Of ""'"f' AIS"
a hne quarry Of free stone, that ~ unsurpassed,