The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-13
Our Newly Acquired Russian Territory.

The Hartford (Ct) Courant brings US a |
letter of special interest from Rev. Dr.. Bush. |
nell in regard to the Russian possessions re-
recently coded to the United States. After
confirming the report that the climate is Eauch
better than its distance from the equator
| would lead one to suppose, being in fact but
| little colder than Scotland, he proceeds to
show the probable route of commerce be.
tween the eastern states and Asia:
"Starting from the western point of Lake
Superior, in a northwesterly direction, we
strike the Saskatchewan country, which is
/ the richest and best country of British Amer.
i ica-haying abundance of bituminous coal, a
comparatively soft climate, SO little impeded
by SHOWS that Q railroad can easily be kept
open the whole year, a surface SO nearly level
that it can be graded without difficulty, and
a fertility Of soil scarcely surpassed on the
continent. Pressing still on toward the north
west, and finding the climate soften, as we
near the coast, we strike one or two rivers,
\ certainly one, that cut the Rocky Mountain
range down to its base, and open gate to
let us through, and then DETECTING to the
southwest we strike the coast south of the
great promontory of Alaska; or, if that is i'm
) possible, we go down the slope of the great
} river Kwichpak, navigable itself for thou.
, sand miles, and enter one of the bays south
of Behring Straits. The advantages of this
route, whether we strike the coast north of
Point Alaska or south of it, are, first, that
we encounter no mountains or mountain
passes; second, that we have midland sup
e plies of coal and timber; third, that we avoid
the immense mountain SHOWS that will make
!. the Rocky Mountain roads impossible for a
, least six months in. the year; and fourth. tina
> having a line which is very nearly coinciden
, with the great circle of the globe, we can ge
/, the shortest passage to China and Japan tina,
|. can be be found. If it should turn out, as !
!, appears quite probable, that we can reaci
the coast at the sothernmost point of the ter
l. rtory in question, our line of road will be
% great deal shorter than any other, and viii
% come to its terminus in about the same lat
tude as Glasgow, and having about the sam
:. climate"
. The following is the substance of the in
formation derived from Professor Baird, c
the Smithsonian Institute, with regard t
Russian America
" Means ofmtormation,-TheP Professor hs
had two explorers in that field between on
iy and two years, who returned last autum
n, bringing a complete collection of specimen
of of natural history from the entire region, e!
tending frnm the British Possessions to til
IL shores of the Polar Sea.
'e, The climate and temperature of the Goa
nd from Prince of Wales Island to the entrant
ok of Behring's Straits, during the wint
af months, is about the same as at the city
l, Washington. There is little snow and mut
he rain. During the summer months hea,
fogs prevail.
a fmha no yyhn ntrv nm
in the northern coast, is heavily timbered-
chiefly hard pine forests-the small trees e
tending down to the very shores. Some
or the islands, also, are heavily timbered Wi
pine forests and dense underground. Othe
of them are destitute of timber but cover
,.-- with grass of luxuriant growth.
- The S0il-On the west coast the soil pr
aef duces excellent barley, and roots such as l
dishes and turnips, and esculents such
lettuce cabbage, etc.
Manufactured animals, such as sea
ter, river otter, sable, furred seal, min
: black, silver and red foxes, are found in gre
vas numbers red deer on the south, and re-
of deer on the north.
to Fish-Herring, salmon, halibut and CO
her fish abound in exhaustless numbers.
de, Behring's Straits and to the northward gre
to whales are very numerous.
the Minerdls-Surface washings of gold ha
,ur. been discovered on the head water of streal
wn, on the east side of the coast range of mot
by tains. The geographical developments Z
the same on the western slopes. Nat
of copper has been discovered in various pla.
his on the coast and in the vicinity of copl
to river. Iron ore of excellent quality Ia
de- believed to exist in exnaustless quantity
or now being smelted and worked by Russi
ons artisans, in repairing ships, etc. Coal
'co- found in large quantities, and is used by
un- Russians for naval purposes. In quality
ion is similar to New Brunswick coal, but
- equal to Cumberland coal. Recent. aiae
God cries have been made OF what IS Deheved
ard, be better quality of coal, though it has
lpct | haap teStpd