The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-01-08
Aneeresting Account OF am Almost
UNKNOWN Country

ihe Fan Francisco Herald, 9Th instant. .nno,n.
ces sns arrival In that city of Mr.. p. Med Collie,
| on ms return from one of the most inter.st,n. !.
e1peditions o! modern times, overland tbrougs
Nortnern Russia, from st. Petersburg to th Amoor
river. The journey occupied exactly one year.
Twelve monthsago Mr.. Collins left St ..petsr.hur.
Travelled from thence to Moscow, BY railroad. und
a. aon 'nsnes through siberia In sledges and tele-
vince, sitnated on the river Ingodsl, one of ,ba
main sources Of the Amoor, where he waited s,r
the breaking up of the ice in .he river. and ,hsn
accomplished by four Cossack soldiers, and by M
Fulheim, the Governor of the Russian Amey,can :
Company at Ayan, proceeded down to the AMOR
and along the river to the Pacific.
FROM Mr.. Collins We have obtained much inter
esting Information in relation TO the vast region
through which he trayeisd, aud about which .,
little Is known. sle speaks IN the highest terms
the Rnsssu oificiaIs with whom he had intercourss
AMERICANS arc everywhere highly regarded by ia,
Russians, and are always trassed with eyery cour
sesy and respect. Tbs party of which Mr. Collin
io5med one were not molested by the Non,adi
tribes who inhabit q great portion of the regio,
through which they Travelled. They fouud n ns
be cautious 10 their intercours
with them During his journey. Mr.. Collins stonne
ior some time ut Kyackta and Miamattschin. Thes
Towns are located side by side The farpsr i In
haoited Dy the Russians, and the latter hy the CHI
pese. The boundary lima of the two nation
runs between. 1t is married. on " hy board t.rcs
They are both walled In and fortified. Al mi
point AZ the legitimate trade of the two countrie
ls carried on.
To Miamattschia, the Chinese conway from n,
Interior their teas and other goods ON bnllocLs ~
cameis. and to Kyackta the Russians bring ,hai
commodities, and In this way the exeh9nsa /;
made. The trade which centres at this point "a es
timated to amount to over thirty miIlions of ron.
bles per annum. While at Kyackta. MT CaiIin,
essayed to enter the Chinese domiuiona and ,.rn
ceed to Pekin, which is about $50 miles to IN,
south. He jelned an en- oassador, sent ont by III,
Russian Government to treat with the Emnaro,
for the puicoesa VI the country lying along ths
AIRoQr River.
The whole Of this region, according to a treaty.
made In the reign Of the Empress Catherine. be-.
longs to the Chinese but the Russians are now in
possession OF several portions oft. They are will
ing 20 acquire it by purchase; but IL an overture
to that effect Is rejected, they prepe ed to take
1t. Neitker the Russian Ambassador nor Mr.. Col.
Inns could obtain permission To- proceed to PekIn,
and they were both Obliged 70 return. The Rus
SLAMS have greatsT Eaciltes Of obtaining correct
views In rsatiop 70 matters IN China, than any
ether nation IN the world. There is in Pskin what
Is termed the Russian College. II consists Of ten
missiora5ies of the Greek Church. These ten mis-.
sionaries remain for ten years, and are then re-
placed BY ten more.
During the decade Of their sojourn, they are not
permitted TO fill any vacancies that may be caused
by death or any other casualty. They are treated
In the Chinese capital with great respeei, and
allowed guard OF honor. Through the agency
OF the college. the Russian Government obtains re.
liable information Of everything that ,rsnspires at
the court of His Celestial Majesty. After his un-
successful attempt 70 penetrate through the Chi
gess territory to'Pekin, Mr.. Collins proceeded to
Chetah, situated at Tao headwsters Of the Amoor
river. The province Of which 1t is the capital 10
rich In mineral resources. 1t is about as large az
California. 10 abounds IN mines Of gold, silver and
copper The gold is found In the river bed and gull
ohes. There are no quartz mines. The amman yisid
is estimated at i've millions Of roublss. The silver
mines are very rich.
They are both worked by the convicts transport.
ed to siberia BY the Russian GovernmYpt, under
the supervision OF military officers Private par
ties are not permitted to take ot the precious
tails In this section Of the country. In other pia-
ces they are allowed to mine under certain res
trictioas, and gre obliged TO pay the Government
q certain per esntage upon all they take out.