New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-07
W1LRUSSIA.

WALRUSSLA
An official map of North Western America,
compiled for the Department of State at the
GU S. Coast Survey Office 1857" gives our
Seven Million purchase from Russia more
attractive aspect. 1t there seems to be the
American counterpart of nOn-Russian Europe
north of the Baltic-that is, of Denmark,
Sweden Norway, Iceland and the FerrOe Isles.
Its chain of slets (Aleutian) seem an interrupted
continuation of the large peninsula of Alaska,
and stretch nearly across the North Pacific in
an eastery direction for about 1900 miles,
Several other considerable isles are included In
the purchase, beside several bold penlnsulas
and deep bays-the latter said to TEEN with
edible fish. The principal river (Knitchpeck)
heads in British America, through its chief afu-
ents, the Yukon and POrcupine, and has a
length of over 900 miles, pursuing generally
southwest direction, and debOuching by several
mouths in lat G1o to $50, below Nor
ton Sound instead of running north
west to the Arctic Ocean, as it is generally
made to do on the maps. We are assured
that the whole course of this river and its al
huents, as well as of the less considerable rivers
farther south, lies through an immense forest
of the choicest pine There are several large
rivers north of the Knitchpek, but the region
is So cold that they can be of little value. The
average temperature * said to be ten TO
twelve degrees warmer than on this side
of the continent. Valuable mines are
vaguely reported, but little is known
of them. Generally, the region is rugged as well
rs cold, and there sesDs little probability that
much of its soil will ever be cultivated. The
fact that the Russians sooulning on this coast
were long ago accustomed to grow their grain
in California, 1000 miles away, is significant.
In fish and ur-bearing animals, the country is
hardly surpassed. The following article trans
lated from the Cologne Gazette, probably gives
as intelligent and dispassiOnate an account OF
the territory as can now be presented:
THE CgssIoN OF RUSSIAN AMERICA.
II the cesson OF the whole OF Russian America TO the
United States ratified, it will be very important
event not because the acquisition Of large tract OF
land By the United states promises an increase
of power; FOR territorial extension Is not
desirable. and Russian America is no paradise :;
yet it may prove colorado In furs, and Its stu
alton on the northwest coast OF the Continent
will be of great sgnican The territory is 1850 Ger
nan, square miles in lying the northwest slope
OF the Rocky Mountains; has many snowpeaks ana vol
canoes and densely wooded in the valleys and on the
rivers and nlets OF the coastrange The coast has many
harbors shut in 5y the Prince of Waes's and George
UIds Archipelagoes The Kossack Deehenes first dis
covered Behring's Straits. which were explored by
Behrng 80 years afterward, and received his name.
The volcanoes are generally very high and streams
are abundant, though unemployed. The climate is Very
diversified aud much mider than between the same par
a IA on the eastern coast OF America or Eastern ASIA
The coast as far the peninsula of Alaska, has mild
Winters and cool Summers with abundant rains very u-
f,,tff ruit -trpps
There are scarcely 700 among the 10000 nhabit
Just to hundred 800 are halfbreeds
and Indians Only 1900 Indians civilized and the
rest are scattered the vast region EsqumauN in
habit the eastern half Of Alaska and there are about
$500 Aloots IN the eastern portion; they also
inhab the islands OF their name. The seat of gov
eminent OF the country Is NewArchangel, containing
22OO inhabitants. Twenty-Five years ago, it had not
population of than $50 souls The timber and fuIs
OF the country became very useful when the Russians
settled the AMOR; up To that time 1t was more OF
burden than a blessing For America, the case is quite
different This purchase anneXes the middle portion, on
the west Of the British aurferous regions that England
has long regarded with covetous eye. This north
western coast Of America out Of the regular course OF
commerce This will now change and the year 1867 VIII
Ice the beginning OF new era for it,
About the middle OF January the Colorado arrived at
Shanghai from San Francisco to open a regular trade
across the Pacific and the steamer Great Republic OF
1000 tuns is follow. The telegraph company re-
ports the line already laid far as Observation-Disclosures,
the capital OF British Columbia.
Steamships and telegraph lines will unite those distant
regions to the civilized world and give them new hfei
and lands that were once called desert will be-
come mines Of untold wealth to perseverng and indus
trious race OF people But the greatest good OF this
treatyfar important than the acquisition OF ter
ritory-is the winning OF cordial good understanding
between the two enlightened nations Of the northern
hemisphere These friendly relations between Peters
urgh and Washington take place at the very time when
Napoleon ILL., hoping for dissolution OF the American
Union is specializing upon the establishment of
throne i'm the Western World. The French therefore,
have hated 20 see this friendly feeling increase and they
say in contempt Russia is to be well compensated for
this loss' What compensation the United states
afford They have no possessions in the Old World; but
they have abundant means, quite enough TO make an
offensive aud defensive alliance and such iies of I'M
mense importance 20 the Car. Now that Russia is
casting longing look Western Asia, her sovereign Is
conscious of the Importance OF friendly union with q
mighty naval power on the Western Continent
For these the negotiations in Washington are
watched with great anxiety by France and England
As Prussia has "a good understanding with the United
States as well as Russia has this entente cOTdide between
Washington and Petersburgh in of war in Europe.
may be beneficial than detrimental to the cause Of
Germany.
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