Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-11-13
TELEGRANS TO THE STAR.
FROM RUSSIAN AMERICA.

FROM RUSSIAN AMERICA
The Formal T rausfer to the United State
Account Of the Ceremonies-The Rus.
sian Flag did not want to come Down, bu
succumbs to the Stars and Stripes-Short
Speeches of the kussIan Commander and
Gen. Roussean-A: Dispute with the Russ
ian Commissioners--A Fearful Storm
The Ossipee Nearly Wrecked.
Especial Dispatch to the STAR
NEW YORK. Nov. l3.-The following is a
special to the New York Herald
NEW AKCHANGEL, Oct. s, (yia Victoria
V. L., Nov. 10, and Swinonisa. W. T.,
Nov. H. The formal transfer aud
delivery OF Russian America to the
United States Government took place to -day,
by Captain Pestrichoff, acting Commissioned
on tehah of the Russian Government and
Major General Rosseau, on behalf of the
United States. At O'Clock, p. m, . battalion
Of United States troops, under command Of
MAJOR Charles O'Wood, of the Ninth Infantry,
was drawn up in line in front OF the Cover
nors residence, where the transfer took place.
BY haf-past three, large cOncourse OF people
had assembled, comprising Americans, Rus
SLAMS OF all classes, Creoies, Indians ali eager
witnesses or the ceremonies.
Precisely at the last. named hour the Rur.
sian forts and fleet fired salutes in honor OF TIE
lowering OF the Russian flag, but the nag
would not come down. In lowering il tore its
entire width close oy the hallards, and f1oatsd
from the cress-trcss some forty feet from the
ground. Three Russian sailors then attempted
10 ascend the inch and a half guy ropes sup
porting the flagstaff, but each failed TO reach
his national blem. A fourth ascended in a
boatswain's chair, seized the flag. and threw
1t in direction directly beneath him, but the
motion Of the wind carried it OF. and caused
after the lowering Of the Russian flag the stars
and stripes went gracefully up, floating hand
somely and free, Mr.. Geo. Lowell Rousseau
having the honor OF fineing the flag to the
Resaca at the same time honoring the event by
firing salutes.
As the Russian lag was lowered Capt Pes.
trechof stepped forward and addressed Gen
Rousseau as follows: GeneraI-As COmmis-
sioner OF his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor
Of Russia, L now transfer and deliver the ter.
ritory Of Russian America, ceded by his MAJ
esty, TO the United States.
General Rousseau in response as the Amer
lean flag ascended said: Captain-As Commis-
sioner on behalf of the United States Govern-
ingly.
The Commissioners spoke in a tone OF COM
mon conversation, and were only heard by
Governor Makesatoff, General Jeff c. Davis
Captain Kuskol, and few others who formed
the group. Several ladies witnessed the cere-
monies, among them Princess Makesatoff
Mrs. Gen. Davis, and Mrs. Major Wood. The
Princess wept audibly as the Russian nag
went down.
The transfer was conducted in a purely di.
plomatic and business like manner, neither
boquets Nor speech making following the en-.
tire transaction; was concluded in few hours
The Ossipe, with the commits sioner on board,
steaming In the harbor at IL O'Clock this FORE
noon, and at O'Clock in the afternoon,
dozen American flags float over the newly
born American city Of Sitka.
NEW ARCHANGEL, Nov. 3, via San Fran.
cisco, Nov. l2.)-The Russian Commissioners
have protested against the occupancy of the
Fur Company's buildings by United States
troops. BY courtesy the troops are non-shel-
tered, and the supplies stored. The matter
will be referred TO Mr. Seward. Much ILL
f cling has been exhibited since our occupation
OF the CITY. Seven duels on paper have oc.
Cured, but they were settled without blood
shed. The parties are OF high rank.
NEW ARCHANGRL, Nov. :, (via Victoria, V.
/, Nov. 10. and Swinomich. w. T., Nov. III
The United States steamer Osipee was nearly
wrecked on the night of the 27th ult. when 90
miles southeast OF Archangel in the most ter.
the past 20 years. She lost all her boats and
considerable OF her sail and rigging was car.
REQ away; ner cnronometer was destroyed.
and all the fires but four were put out, those
remaining were kept alive by burning oil.
tailow, grease, lard, candles and like SUBJ
stances. She shipped an immense sea, doing
Forty-six sailors were wounded while on
duty, but providentially Eone were killed,
Gen. Rosseau and his son George and alse
the Generals staff were on board. The hur.
ricane lasted Is hours, and the entire storm
between 36 and 81 hours, Lieut.. Commander
Crossman and q bOatswain named VIM. Green
saved the ship by their heroic exertions in
battening the hatchway when the storm ragged
with the greatest fury. The engine eers and
fIemen behaved nobiy.
The Ossipee put into Stka harbor on the
evening OF the 2Sth ult., having Ief. here on
the evening Of the Goth.
The United States steamship Jamestown and
the United States steamer Resaca are in port
All well. The yellow fever has been thor
oughly killed out.
The revenue cutter Lincoln has gone to Sla-
Ken river with the United States surveying
party in tow: The chartered vessels Milan
and Buena vista, with Government stores for
the garrison, have arrived safely.
The hurricane swept over the harbor with
terrific force. Fifteen vessels were at anchor
In the harbor at the time. Three Russian YES.
sells were driven ashore, and the Sandwich
Islands bark Mameluke was badly damaged
Several vessels dragged their anchors, and
bore down upon each other mercilessly, vet
no serious damage was done. The steam shin
John u. stephens was in their midst. but re-
ceived no damage though the Herald CORES.
pondent on board the Stephens reports the
midnight scene as truly appalling. A number
OF houses were blown down throughout the
city, yet no lives were lost.