The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-17
Interesting Account Of the Russian Set
Elements on the Am0Or River.
Our San Francisco Correspondence.

Uy-LNS HOspNoHNy " Tue TeYue-H W. hUOW
River-DescTiptiom Of the Cosntry-Prospects for
Trade pith San Francisco-Kyackta ard Mia
nnattschin-mteresting Slare Case-Judge Nor.
ton Decides that a Slace Canno, Recover Vages
,cithom a Special Agreement-Product of Bread.
stufs for the Year-Hhat Decreased the Err
penses of the Local Gorernment-7He Jigiance
Committee versus the Democratic Legislature
The Libel Suit against the Morning CaA'-IHe
jury Disagree-Coone Fremont's Land Claim
for Sale to Pay Participation of Calfor-
mia, &C., &c.
Mr.. p. Med. Collins, who has just arrived in San
Francisco from the Amoor river, has furnished some
very interesting information to the Herald, of this
city, concerning his journey from st. Petersburg
through Siberia and along the borders of China to
the Pacific. The notes taken by Mr.. Collins have
formed material for a number of articles in the
Herald, and are certainly valuable, inasmuch as
they communicate to the public important informa-
ton concerning the vast region through which he
travelled and about which SO little is known. Mr..
G.. held the position of United States Commercial
Agent, and the object of his visit was to
obtain knowledge in relation to the trade
and resources of Siberia, as it is believed that before
long a profitable traffic will open between this port
and that country. His journey occupied just twelve
months, and he speaks in the highest terms of the
Russian officials with whom he had intercourse.
Americans are everywhere highly regarded by the
Russians, and are always treated with kindness and
respect. Mr.. Collins states that Siberia isa very diffe-
rent country from what it is generally supposed to
be. Some of its principal cities are really beautiful,
and in them as fine stores and as well regulated
streets can be found as in any city in the United
States. The general impression is that perpetual
winter prevails in Siberia, and that its only inhabi-
tants are convicts and the Russian military authori-
ties; but this is a mistake. The population is up
wards of four millions, and a large commercial bust
ness is transacted. In relation to the AMOR cOun-
try Mr.. c. has obtained much valuable
The whole of that vast country, as well as Siberia, is
| supplied from st. Petersburg-which is about 5000
miles from Irskutsh, the capital OF Sibela-with
silks, ~cottons, liquors and luxuries of all kinds. The
goods are carried overland, and six months are
consumed in the transportation. San Fran
cisco is the natural point from which this vast
portion Of the Arctic continent should receive
those articles OF commerce OF which 1t stands in
need. Mr.. Collins is of the opinion that the Amoof
| river is n~avigable for steamboats, from its mouth to
Chetah, situate at IT'S headwaters, a distance of
about 2 500 miles. From Chetah to Lake Baikal is
about 800 miles, over a good mountain road, now
travelled by post. Lake Baikal is about fifty miles
across, and out of it flows the river which runs
by Irkutsh, which is about forty miles distant from
the lake. A steamboat now plies on Lake Baikal,
and the river that runs by it from the lake is also
navigable for steamboats,. 1t will be thus seen how
much easier the people of Siberia could obtain the
articles of commerce they require from san Francisco
than st. Petersburg. Between them and US there is
only 800 miles of land carriage, and for the estab-
lishment of this trade all that is necessary is to OBJ
tain from the Russian government a decree declaring
the AMOR river open 10 our traffic. MI. Collins be-
lieves that if such a decree was issued before the ex-
piration of four years our exports TO that region
would amount TO more than ten millions of dol.
lars annually. Mr.. c. is the first foreigner who has
ever traversed the countries belonging TO Russia on
this aldo offha plobp His notpa "a published Oiye
full and undoubtedly accurate descriptions of the
people, climate, topography, religion and social
condition of the population in those hitherto un.
known regions. The information contributed will
form a most interesting addition to the geography
of the continent. When the attention of the
United States government is drawn to the ad-
vantages to be acquired by opening the AMOR
river to commerce it is to be hoped measures will be
adopted to induce the Russian government TO ac-
cede to the request. California and the Atlantic
States would be vastly served by the new channel
During his journey Mr.. Collins stopped for some
time at kyackta and Miamattschin. 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. II is
marked only by a board fence. They are both wall
ed in and fortified. At this point all the legitimate
trade OF the two countries is carried on. To
Miamattschin the Chinese convey from the interior
their teas and other goods on bullocks and camels,
and to kyackta the Russians bring their commodi-
ties, and In this way the exchange is made. The
LrdQt WHICH CtutItS u u tlS Doiut II tStrUutpU 10
amount to over thirty millions of roubles per an
mum. While at Kysckts Mr.. Collins essayed to en-
ter the Chinese dominions, and proceed to Pekin,
which is about eight hundred and fifty miles to the
south. He joined an ambassador sent out by the
Russian government TO treat with the Emperor for
the purchase of the country lying along thelAmoor
river. The whole Of this region, accordih&H8p
treaty made in the reign Of the EmbfcH
Catherine, belongs to the Chinese: but the Rus.
slams are now In possession Of several por-
tons Of it.. They are willing to acquire It by
purchase /; but if an overture to thai. effect
Is rejected, they are prepared TO take it. Neither
the Russian Ambassador nor Mr.. Collins could OBJ.
tain permission to proceed to Pekin, and they
were both obliged to return. The Russians
have greater facilities OF obtaining correct views
in relation TO matters in China than any
other nation in the world. There il in Pekin
what Is termed the Russian College. 1t
consists Of ten missionaries of the Greek church.
These ten missionaries remain FOR ten years, and
are then replaced by ten more. During the decade
of their sojourn they are not permitted TO fill any
vacancies that may be caused by death OF any other
casualty. They are treated in the Chinese capital
with great respect, and are allowed a guard Of
honor. Through the agency Of this college the
Russian government obtains reliable infor-
nation Of everything that %transpircs at the
unsuccessful attempt to penetrate through
the Chinese territory TO Pekin, Mr.. Collins proceed
ed to Chetah. situated at the headwaters of the
AMOR river. The province OF which IL IL the CAPT
tai is rich in mineral resources. Il is about as large
as California. IL abounds in mines OF gold, silver
and copper. The gold is found in river beds and
gulches. There arc no quartz mines. The annual
yield is estimated at five millions OF roubles. The
silver mines are very rich. They are both worked
by the convlcis transported to Siberia by the Rus
sian government, under the supervision OF military
officers. Private parties are not permitted to take
out the precious metals in this section Of the country.
In other places they are allowed to mine, under GER
lain restrictions. and are obliged to pay the govern
ment a certain per centage upon all they take out.
A very interesting case, involving the right OF
slaves brought 90 California by their master 90 re-
cover wages for services rendered "a servants, was
decided q few days ago by Judge Norton, of the
Twelfth District Court in this city. IL appears that
Joseph Sycr and his wife were slaves Of William M.
Gwin, United States Senator, when he resided in the
State Of Mississippi, and were brought by him to Ca
lifornia. and while here served him and his family
in the capacity Of servants. The husband continued
10 live in the house Of Senator Gwin for about eight
mnntLs and hs wife for ahnut two ynnrs and eirht