The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-01
Russian America.

Russian America.
LECTURE BEFORE THE TRAVELLERS CLUB, BY
PROFESSOR W. p. BLAKE.
In the Travellers Club ROOM last evening lecture
Russian America was delivered by Professor W. p.
Blake of California The attendance at the club room
was not large OF the thunder storm which
prevailed during Its progress but 1t select and In
telectual.
Mr. DUNBAR, the we'll known President Of the club In
troduced the lecturer ga distinguished naturalist
gsologist and mineralogist
Mr. BLAKE then arose. and after describing the geo.
graphical position Of Russian America which adolns the
English possessions and Behrng Straits on the NORTH
extends along tho Pacific and includes the islands
lying between the Russian AsiAtc and the portion
Of the American continent under tho Russian domnons
no traced the history Of the country from It's discovery
by the navisators sent out by Peter the Great to
the present time. Navigation along the coast
Ia dangerous and the water 10 deep up to
the coast Descendants Of the Russians who discovered
It still live there Ice Is now important article Of
commerce in the settlement Of Sitka, good deal Of
Of Russian America very graphic striking The
SHOWS and Ice Of many winters rise like pyramids
above the other and in the distance point like needles
field Of Tho tops Of tho islands covered with
trees He described the pilots very useful vgilant
races They use canoes made Of wood and skim which
they manage dexterousy The natives paint their faces
oack, WIN req Nripea Tney wear ear rings and nose
rings The young ladies go further, and bars Of
silver in their under lips This they increase gradually
in size until whom they grow old they have 70 keep
the aperture filled with piece Of ivory large
as PERSONS thumb. He described the Governors
palace, which, he said, Ii residence for such
country and latitude He also gave many particu-
lars OF rights and privileges Of the Russian American
Company. The population Of Stka he stated 70 be
about ID, 000 including upwards OF 1000 Indians. The
fur trade Is the principal business Of the colony These
people ship away the s and ice and return laden With
supplies Sitka is In latitude g. yet the climate 10 very
mild The company cannot obtain good ice there, but
compelled to 60 further north for IT, Tho winters
very long, summers very short, and very different
from what they are little east The Gulf stream
influence is the cause. Bamboos are frequently
thrown on the coast and Japanese junk was washed
the Pacific and wrecked there few Yeas 668
In the month Of May. In the jutseior naviga.
ton commences near sitka. Gob is found almost
anywhere beyond the rst range 81 mountains towards
the interior There Is broad Valley between this coast
range and second range Supposed TO be continuation
Of the Rocky houna2, The valley is traversed by the
Sixteen riysr stretching northeast and southwest. The
soil along the yeyy .psky sa painps very din
Ua. rug ~inter along tho river is severe MineF who
sred there say the mercury was frozen, snoW began
IN October and much four feet fell in day thai
winter The miners lost their feet and hands in som6
instances. He spoke Of the proposed telegraph line
along the coast and said would not cost much to main
tain it, very small amount OF money being sufficient to
reward the natives for their labor After relating good
deal about the scenery Of the country the lecturer
cluded and received vote Of thanks