The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-11
THE RUSSIAN TREATY.

The treaty just ratified by the United
States senate, by vote Of 81 to 2, by which
we acquire several hundred miles of Pacific
coast, immense fisheries, &C., &C.. was based
upon proposition made to the Russian gov
eminent by the United States during the I'D
ministration of President Pierce 1t is foun-
ded, says the National Latelligencer, on a
policy of territorial acquisition which has
been pursued under all administrations, be-
ginning with the surrender of the British
posts, and the consequent opening of the
west for immigration and settlement. 1t
was pursued by Mr.. jefferson in the pur-
chase of Louisiana, followed by the acquisi-
ton of Florida, Texas. California, Arizona,
&c. The purchase of Cuba was attempted,
but, failing for the time, awaits future
chances.
At present there are no territorial acquisi-
tons in serious agitation except those of
Lower California, Sonora, Sinaloa, and a
few other Mexican provinces. The Canadas
cannot be acquired, unless either upon one
or the other of the contingencies referred to
by MIR. Bright-war or voluntary annexa'
ton. Still, British Columbia may be in the
diplomatic market, and a round sum, added
to a REIMBURSEMENT on our part of the Ala
bama claims, might bring it into our posses.
SION. This last-named territory has disap-
pointed the expectations formed as to its
progress in settlement and prosperity, and
Great Britain may be induced to let it CO.
Probably it has been thought expedient to
prepare the negotiations for the acquisition
of British Columbia by the purchase of Rus
sian America. ..1 a..
Considered by itself, the Russian portion
of the northwest coast would be of little val
ne to us, but if we are to possess the entire
shore Of the Pacific, from Cape St. Lucas to
54o 40, it will be convenient for the purpos-
es of a great maritime nation to have the
rest up to the Polar Sea. Navigation and
the shore and ocean fisheries will, in the fu-
ture, become essential interests to the states
of the Pacific.
The territory to be ceded by Russia is of
no value to her. Her interests are becom-
ing more than ever concentrated in Europe
and Asia. Her American territory has been
abandoned TO the government of one or two
rigid and unthrifty monopolies, and, of
course, has been Improbable. But it does
not follow that this would be the case in our
hands. Our people are already seeking for
the privilege of using this Russian coast and
its islands for the purpose of whale and 9th
or fisheries. These seas are alive with all
the fish that enter into the commerce and
consumption of the world. These fisheries
will become highly important as the future
nurseries of seamen for our mercantile and
military marine. To the sixty thousand in
habitants of Russian America, ive-sixths of
whom are Esquimaux, the change of mas
terry will be beneficial. The Aleutians and
Kurilians will fare better, and the Esqui-
maux, who are now independent, viii be soon
occupied by the radical universal suffrage
and education principle, which they can now
hardly comprehend, but which they may i'm.
agine will give them all abundance of seals
and offers.