Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-02-23
American photographers in Russia

Mr., Sibley, the President, and Mr.. Col
Inns, the engineer, Of the overland tele-
graph line to Europe via Behring's
Straits and the Amoor are in Russia in
furtheranCe of this great enterprise, and
receiving marked attentions from the
Emperor and other high dignitaries Of
state. On the occasion Of their presen-
tatiOn to the emperor, which took pace
at his favorite palace Of Tsarokocisiki,
twenty miles from st. Petersburgh the
grand master Of ceremonies introduced
them, q magnificent entertainment was
given, at which all the great notables
and dignitaries were present. At the
entertainment, the order Of precedence
was, after the ambassadors Of France
and Turkey, given to the distinguished
Americans and at the depot where the
guests who had come out from the city
were to take carriages for the palace,
the royal carriages were in waiting, and
after the ambassadors above mentioned,
the precedence was accorded to the two
Americans. One of the emperOr's min
listers proposed to occupy the third car
riaoe, but was obliged to fall back, and
another carriage was brought up with a
splendid pair Of dapple gray horses,
richly caprisOned, drivers and footmen
in royal liveries, Iand the announcement
given, carriages for the Americans"
The marked attentions Of the emperor
towards Messrs. Sibley and Collins have
produced great wonder at the court. 1t
is said that no such attentions have
been shown to private citizens from any
country before during the reign Of this
emperor These distinguished marks Of
his favor are no doubt intended as a
compliment to our country in return for
the kind reception given the Russian
feet, recently, in our waters. The en-
peror told Mr.. Sibley, in the course of
his conversation with him, that he had
Just returned from Nice, where he had
seen the ships of the returned feet, and
had learned from the officers the great
kindness of our people to them.
At the palace suite Of three rooms
fitted up in the most sumptuous style Of
royal magnitlcence, were devoted to the
exclusive use Of the Americans. At the
emperor's private theatre in the palace,
the same marked attentions were paid
them by giving them the best seats.
Mr.. Collins is forming a corps Of en-
ginpers to be sent to IrkOutsh to eX-
plore the coasts of Siberia and the east
ern side OF the straits. The enterprise
is proceeding with such rapidity that
the cable to be used for crossing the
strait has been already ordered in Eng
land. Two vessels loaded with mate
rails have been sent to San Francisco,
and two others will be sent to the sea of
Okhotsk early in the Spring. II is
thought that the greatest difficulties
will be met with in the northern part OF
the American continent from the Indi-
ans, but it is said by some visitors to
these regions that these Indians are of
a peaceful character. Mr.. Sibley pro-
poses to place the stations at short
distances from each other, and to keep
up amicable relations with the savage
tribes by means of gifts. The same OBJ.
stacles were presented after the con-
structiOn of the line to San Francisco
which passes over large tracts inhabited
| by Indians. The company has been
continually on good terms with them
and what seems very strange is the fact
that, while the Indians have been at
war, and carrying on their slaughter
and devastation, they have never de.
stroyed the Geographic communication
The Indians have a superstitious rever,
ence for it and call it the work of the
great spirit. The enterprise will be
! prosecuted with the greatest energy, and
when accomplished will be one of the
greatest works of the age, and one Of
the most beneficial to the progress Of
| civilization, -Springfe field RepuJltcds.