New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-07
WALR USSIA.

GLOWING ACCOUNTS OF ITS CLIMATE AND RE-
SOURCES FROM TIE STATE DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.--The following letter
has just been received at the State Department
UNITED STATES LEGATION AT IIoNoLULr.I
Aug. %. 1867.
SIR From paragraphs in the few newspapers which
reach here led to believe that the climate ana re-
sources OF the Russian Territory recently purchased ~
the United States greatly misunderstood ny some on
the press and people OF the Atlantic States Many OF ne
scaren who frequent these islands have made voyages to
the and sando Of Russian America for years past
and transmit 10 You such limited Information concern
ing that country have derived from them; trusting
that IL may prove acceptable and hoping possibly 20 adu
to the information you already possess Capt Meek an
old shipma ser and OF the most ntelli
gent IN tins community, says that ne uaaea viii
During that time lac passed two Winters in sitk and saw
very little the coast the haIbOr during clher
the mountains surrounding the settlement were covered
Rain fell through great portion OF each WINTER anu
not so low as at points the Atlantic coast from l3 to
south Of the same parallel and although no herino
climate during those Winters 10 be warmer than the
of Southern New-iork or Northern virginia;
In the vicinity Of Sitka fine potatoes raised aud 81
the other vegetables OF the temperate zone Farley u al
ready cultivated and little wheat and al inc otcr
cereals could no doubt be cultivated 10 advantage. k0-
dac il one the largest OF the Islands, aud the bost Tor
all purposes. The soil good the country less mountain
GUS and the cod and other fisheries extensive On some
parts Of these islands and coast stock can DE
iazed for about nne months IN tue Hear ad d led
ras, abundant in the localities fitted for stock ana APP
parentIy rich and nutritious. The Summers of the
westerly islands cooler than those Of kodiac and
gitka on account Of winds from the NORTH
which sometirnes flow with much violence.
The forests the land large, the trees VI uxu
RANT growth and capable Of furnishing an almost mex
haustibe supply Of ship timber. The fact that the coast
and island have many good harbOls, makes inns umDcr
accessible, and consequently valuable IN TIE nufe Inc
country sbOunds In coal Of quality not Known fhe
captain has native copper and there has always
been tradition among the traders that gold eXlsls
although he has any evidence OF the fet me
natives are treacherous waikc, and acquainted with
the arms. For years one OF the princlpal
articles OF traffic with them has been small arms
and ammunition, consequently they are nearly
all armed with guns. The fact that they arc con
stantly at among themselves has, heretofore
made them troublesome 10 their civilized neighb0r
The from Honolulu to Stka has been maize IN ten
DAYS aud the time from san Francisco, uncef
sail Judging from the imperfect descriptions these men
have given the country taken altogether IL anything
but the unnhahitabe. desolate. frozen region many
newspapers have read represent IL TO he. On the con
we'll adapted for cultivation and si0ckrasng as many
parts Of the New gland states Its fisheries are rich
and extensive, and require only development 10 make
them large and profitable source OF revenue pos
that neXhaIstibc supply Of shptmber which We
will need to build up navy and merchant marine on the
Pacific when the United states pursuing the policy you
have successfully naugurated. will have become mas
the great Of China and the East ltwll
the birthplace Of hardy and entepsng race or
AS supreme the Pacific Coast the At
lanc and IL will become TO the Pacific coast what New
England the Atlantic before her race of adventur
Ous aud intrepid had given place Ia generations
OF thrifty manufacturers
HI have the honor 10 be- your 0bedent servant.
EDWARD VI. M.CooK
The Hon. VIM. H. Seward, Secretary Of state