The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-02-06
Account OF an Almos, Unknown Country.

The San Francisco Herald, 9Th inst, an
nounces the arrival in tha. city Of Mr. p
Med. Collins, on his return from one of the
| wost interesting expeditions of modern times
| overland, through Northern Russia, from
ST. Petersburg to the Amoor river. The
journey occupied exactly one year.
Twelve months ago Mr.. Collins left St.
| Petersburg, travelled from thence to Mos
| COW by railroad, and from thence through
Siberia in sledges and teiegas to Chetah,
the capital of Trans Baikal province, situa-
ted on the river Ingodal, one Of the main
sources of the Amoor, where he waited for
the breaking up of the ice in the river, and
then, accompanied by four Cossach soldiers
and by Mr.. Fulhelm, the Governor of the
Russian American Company at Ayan, pro-
ceeded down to the Amoor, and along the
river to the Pacific
From Mr.. Collins we have obtained much
interedting information in relation to the
vast region through which he travelled, and
ubout which so little is known. lie speaks
in the highest terms o.. the Russian officials
with whom he had intercourse Americans
are everywhere highly regarded by the
Russians, and ars always treated with every
courtesy and respect The party of which
Mr.. Collins formed one were not molestcd
by the Nomadic tribes who inhabited a
great portion Of the region through which
they travelled. They found it necessary
however, to be cautious in their intercourse
with them. During his journey, Mr.. Collins
stopped for some time at kyackta and NJ
amattachin. These towns are located side
by side. The former is inhabited by the
Russians, and the latter by the Chinese
The boundary line Of the two nations runs
between. 1t is marked only by board
fence. They are both walled il and forti-
fed. \ this point all the legitimate trade
of the two countries is carried on.
To Mamaitachin, the Chinese convey from
the interior their teas and other goods
bul!Ocks and camels, and II kyackta the
Russians bring their commodities, and in
this way the exchange il made. The trade
which centres at this point Is estimat TO
amount to over 81, 600, ,OJU roubies per an
nun. While at hyackta, Mr.. Collins essay
ed to enter the Chinese domn!onS, and pro-
ceed 10 Pehin, which is about $50 niles to
the south, Iie joined an embassalor, sent
out by the Russian Government to treat
" tn the Emperor for the purchase OF the
country lyin: along the AI.oor river
Tle whole Oi tuis region, according to a
treaty made in the reign of the Empress
4 '
Russians are now in POSSESSION vi several
portions It. They are willing to acquire
it by purchase, bat if.:. oyegalUre to that
effect = rejected, they are prepared to take
Il. Neither the Russian ambassador nor
Mr.. Collins could obtain permission to pro-
,eed 10 Pckin, and they were both obliged
20 return. The Russians have uGe4t.r Ia f.
;iities Ol obtainiug correct yicg.> in relation .
10 mat ers IN China than any other alton
N the world. Snere - in pehia what j
termed tue Russian College. Il consiats Of
ten missionaries Of the Grcna Church. These
tea Ia ssi0naries remain FOR ten years, and
are then replaced by ten more.
During the decade OF their soiOurn, thcv
are not permitted TO FL any vacancies tu4t
nay be caused by death u any otie. casu-
.iity. They are treated in the Chinese cap .
tai wi.h great respect, and are allowed d
guard OF honor. Through the agency ol the .
;Oliege, tne Russian Government obtains re- .
liable information Of everything that trans
1ires at the cont of his Celestial AnjeSty.-
After nis unsuccessful attempt To penetrate
through the Chinese terrItn ~ to pek,n; Mr.
-oiilns FroC.edc. 10 Chei.h situated IL the
ieadwaters Of the AmoOr rIyer. The pro-
'.nce OF which 1t Is the capital i rich IN
mineral resources. IL abounis in mines Of
;oid, silver, and copper. The gold Is found
n ths river bed and sulches. Taere are no
luartz mines. The annual yield is est.iDa-
ed at iilJy millions Of roubies. The s.vcr
mines are very rich.
They are both worked by the convcts
to Siberia by the Russian Gov
under the supervision OF saiiitary
ifce.s. Private parties are not permitted
o take out the precious metals ia this see
ion OF the conntry. In other places they
re allowed to mine under certain restrict
ons, and are obliged to pay the Government
certain per centage upon all they take out