The New York herald., 1867-03-31

The highly important act Of cession by the Russian
government OF the North American domain of the
Car 10 the United States-announccd in tie KyRALD
this morning-will call tho immediate attention or the
people at large to the newly acquired territory ts po-
stion and and importance Union footbcld
in time Of war, particularly war with England,
jealous rival IN tho o( China and japan and
tho FAR East generally.
IN view Of the public interest thus evoked ard for
the information Of the people ., large publish de-
scrption Of the possessions lately neid by Rnsss in
America
Russian America comprchcnds all the northwest coasts
the Pacific and tho adjacent islands north OF the par.
ael OF "a degrees 40 minutes north, and the portion
west1, OF Mount st. Elias The area Is computed at
4Sl 276 square miles
The part Of the mainland south Of Mount st. Elias con.
sss OF u narrow belt which IL skirted tho east by
mountain ridge parallel 70 the coast and has nowhere
greater width than ten marine Leagues Northward OF
the sixieth parallel the mainland forms vast peninsula
extending In general west northwest direction towards
Asia, and at one point reaches that continent
distance OF foriyeight miles throughout It's western
part the prevailing feature s mountain while the parts
lying along the Arctic Ocean, with the exception OF
stretch between the merdans 4 and lac degrees wcst
where the Rocky Mountains traverse the coast and tor
inmate is dead fiat often nearly on level with the
sea, than from ten twenty above
it, From Point Barrow the direction OF the line s south
west, rising gradually toward Capc Lisbura, which IN
$50 feet high II turns south, forming between the
two Isrge nIes Of Kotzebus and Norton sounds the
markabe peninsula OF Prince OF Wales which projects
into Behring's strait, and terminates elevated pro-
inontory, remarkable tho most westerly point OF
America. From Norton sound the coast, turning irst
south hses, and then south-souhcas becomes inden:ed
by several large bays including those OF Bristol Bag and
Cooks Inlet. on the opposite aide OF the long and mar
row peninsula Of ALASKA. and Is lined almost through
out by groups OF large islands Of which the most import
ant belong 70 the Alenan Kodiak and King George Ill
arrhpeagoes. The greater part of tho coast last do
scrbcd l. very bold, presenting a succession Of lofty
volcanic peaks, two of which tha west of
Cooks Inlet have the respective heights Of 1ia'o and
n line hal nm Inn n
cet The interior OF the country Is very impercc.ly
known The climate Is not cold the cast parts of
the continent under the same atitudcs IL Is, however,
far too rigorous To admit Of agricultural oIcraons aud
the whole value OF the territory and adjacent n de-
Aeutian islands extend from tho peninsula OF Alaska 10
that OF kamschatka through thirty degee OF longitude
and centrally are tho immediate patas y England
They include several subordinate gtvaps and are all
rocky and volcanic having conos In present acti-
witty. The Kodak group divided from Alaska by tho
strait Of Chekof Il consists OF ono large and
several small islands, with broken and rugged
On the north side OF the main island the harbor and
station OF 81. Paul King George Ill Arcbipclaeo
prscs the islands along the northwest coast Sitka
Baranof and others These ali inhabited
ihe extensive territory above described has been
granted TO a Russian Amer can fur company which
established under charter from the Emperor Paul, sth
july 1Sse with power TO occupy and bring under the
dominion OF RUSSIA al territories north or south Of 90
tion by another nation by treaties with tho United
States in 1874, snd Great britain, IN 1895 s present
boundaries were hxcd but subscque nty tho British
quired the right Of using the mainland south OF IS
grces also the exclusive privilege Of supplying The
Russian posts with agricultural produce provisions
The charter OF the company renewed IN 1882 when
It had thirty-sx hunting and fishing establishments
The company's possessions include, besicce The Amer
territory al the Asintc OF the Pacific north OF
81 degrees and the kurilc islands 70 their south point in
40 degrees 30 minutes. Tho whole OF these territories is
divided into six agencies, and Is controlled by COVER
general VINO resides at New Archanae on the island
sitka The population s estimated at TS 600 souls or
these about 200 Russians 900 creole and 10 900
natives OF the kurilc Acutian and Kodiak islands The
remainder are Esquimaux who enjoy greater or less
degree Of Independence. Tho kures, Aleutes &C. arc
regarded as subjects Of the company
New Archangel, the principal post, is situate on the
island Sitka Ia latitude 81 degrees 30 minutes and ION.
etude 1856 degrees ~ minutes II was founded In 1906
and Ia military station and the chief pust OF the CON-
pany. The fort mounts eighteen short eighteen and
fortytwo long nine poundcrs and there ABOUT 500
officers and men; and the company have twelve YES.
sci. varying from 300 70 400 tons mounting ten guns
o different cabre Greek bishop with several priests
and deacons reside here and aso Lutheran minister:
and there schools for the children OF EReoeeaas ea
half breeds. Subordinate to Ska there is smaller Is.
tsblisnmsnt oi ihe same kind NJ Mlaska. which supplies