Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-04-12
Russian America Purchased by the Uni
ted States.


The negotiation Of a highly important
treaty was concluded between ,he Secrc.
tary Of State and tho Russian Minister at
Washington on Saturday, 30th nh, by
which the whole Of tho Russian posses
sions In North America are ceded TO the
United States. The United States are to
pay Russia seven millions Of dollars for
the territory, nominal sum, considering
its importance to this country. The ne
goiiations were carried on with great Sc
crccy. The subject was considered In the
Cabinet on Friday, and largo part Of the
night was devoted to 1t by the Secretary
and the Russian Minister, who concluded
the important negotiations at two o'clock
on Saturday morning. The President at
once communicated the treaty to the SEN
ate, which has since ratified it.
1t is stated that the British Minister,
Sir Frodrick Bruce, was taken by surprise
on the announcement OF the treaty being
signed, and that he telcgraphed to London
for instructions as to the course he will
pursue under the circumstances; and, IL il
supposed, will protest against the accep-
lance of the territory by the United States
The following description is given of
the territory to be ceded
Russian America comprehends the
northwestern coast on the Pacific, and the
numerous adjacent islands. 1t lies north
of the rallel Of 81, and about CO deg
west of Washington, where it borders on
British America. At the southern ex-
tremity of the boundary line Mount ST.
Elias towers heayen-wards to height of
1900 feet, and the River Clarence, fow-
ing into the Arctic Ocean, is at the northern
extremity ofthe border. Westward Of this
line the new territory forms vast PENN
sula, extending to Behring's Straits as
miles wide,) which separate ii from Kan.
schatka, on the Asiatic continent. South
Of Mount st. Elias narrow belt, inden-
ted in British America, gives long line
of seaboard to the United States, and this
is one of the most important features of
tho acquisition. There are many islands
of volcanic origin, some of them at pres
ent in action. The Aleutian and other
archipelagos are the most importantislands.
The coasts are bold and precipitous, and
the adjoining seas teen with seal, otter,
beaver, and other aquatic and amphibious
animals. The interior of the country
Is unfit for cultivation, owing to the rig
orous climate, and much Of it is as yet
but imperfectly explored. The hunting
grounds are extensive and offer fine
field for American enterprise. Companies
have control Of the fur trade. A Russian
American Company export vast quanti-
ty of valuable skins, and for long time
enjoyed a monopoly in the trade, until a
charter was granted to an English COM
pany and renewed ia 1889, by which il
was given the right of using a portion OF
the mainland, and the exclusive privilege
of supplying the Russian posts with pro.
visions, etc. New Archangel, on the
island Of Stika, is the chief post of the
company, and is fortified station. II is
the sea-. of bishopric of the Greek Church.
but the European and haf.breed popula-
ton enjoy their own religions. The coun-
tIy is peopled by Esquimaux, but the
number Of inhabitants is very small in
proportion to its extent. The Russian
American telegraph will extend through
the country, thus making the world. in
measure, independent of the Atlantic cable.