The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-04-16

Il USSIAN AM E. ICA.
The Confirmation of the Treaty
Unanimously Recommended by
the Senate Committee ON For
eign Affairs. @
WASHINGTON, April 8.-The Russian
Cesslon treaty was brought before the
Senate in Executive session this after
noon, with the unanimous recommends
tion Of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions that it be confirmed. The unani-
nous report of this Committee took the
Senate somewhat by surprise. It's imine
diate consideration, however, was at once
entered upon, and Mr.. Sumner, as Chair
man, spoke an hour and a half in favor
of the acceptance of the Russian Terri
tory and Of paying the price named for
it. He sustained this position by copi-i
GUS extracts from authorities. bearing on
the question. The debate continued three
hours without any conclusion. Itiwas
agreed that the Senate should meet an
hour earlier tomorrow, to continue the
discussion, and with view to reach a
aVote before the adjournment. .llio 20
-e71t d a i--839 -- Z, o tg1B 3dt iB
Extraordinary statements of a
8 rOfessOr--Russian America a
Tropical Region. ID 81 saiT5
WASHINGTON, April S.-The following
is the substance Of the. information de-
rived from Professor Baird of the Smith
sonian Institute, with regard to Russian
America:
.sd MEANS OF INFORMATION.
The Professor has had two explorers
in that field between one aud two years,
who returned last autumn, bringing a
complete collection of specimens of nat
ural history from the entire region! ex
tending from the British Possessions to
the shores of the Polar Sea. ls noizife4r
THE CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE d
Of the coast, from Prince of Wales Is
land to the .entrancesof Behring's Straits,
during the winter months, is about the
same as at the City of Washington
There is little snow and much rain. Du-
ring the summer months heavy fogs pre-
vail. . 'o i'af 9i''' .41ie 9i7lil
TIMPFR
The whole country, well up to the nor
thern coast, is heavily timbered-chiedy
hard pine forssts-the small trees extern
ding down to the very shores. Some of
the islands, also, are heavily timbered
with pine forests aud dense underground.
Others of them are destitute of timber
but covered with grass Of luxuriant
growth. ss r. .t9a s,ai e
THE SOIL. ya5ai sZss 81
On the west coast the soilproduces ex-
eellent barley, and roots, such as radishea
and tprnips, and csc ulents, such as let
tuce, cabbage, &c. s. ess5m5 :. 2
Z = + ANIMALS. nv ~ i2i
Furred animals, such as sea otter, river
otter, sable, furred seal, mink. black, sill
yer, and red foxes, are found in great
numbers; red deer on the south and rein
deer on the north. 4.,ess 800,
e FISH. hBi9e .e9iY
Herring, salmon, halibut, and Goldfish
abound in exhaustless numbers. In
Behring's Straits, and to the northward,
gret whales are very numerous. aaiaD!9r
H.oai Aalla MINERALS. t's sLae
Surface washings Of gold have been dis
covered on the head waters of streams on
the east side Of the coast range of noun
tains. t., 55.ss, se,.,,.s. s.,l
The geographical developments are the
same on the western slopes. Native cop
per hasrbeen discovered in various places
on the coast and in the vicinity of Cop
per River. Iron ore of excellent quality
(and believed to exist in exhaustless
quantity is now being smelted and
worked BY Russian artisans in repairing
ships, &c. pi,a., ays5 s..as
Coal is found in large quantities and is
used by the Russians for naval purposes
In quality it is similar to New Brunswick
coal, but not equal to Cumberland, Re.
cent discoveries have been made Of what
is believed to be better quality of coal
though it has not yet been tested. -
5sjse44,s THE INHABITANTS. - aas
The population aconsistsof five or SIX
thousand Russians and sifty or sixty
thousand Indians and Esquimaux. The
Essuimaux inhabit the coast On the Nor.
thern sea, and arslindustrious, peaceable
and teachable. They live by hunting
and. fishing. The Indians inhabit the in
terror. They are peaceable, and live By
hunting, fishing, and trapping. ragI1
81 la n5 WASHINGTON, April g.
THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN TREATY CON
- FIRMED By THE SENATE. q s7
The Senate to-day, after another pro
traeted debate, finally ratified the Rus
sian Cession Treaty, without amendment
by vote of 81 tor, being majority o
1O,over the required two thirds vote. Sum
nler made another speech in its favor, ant
was fortified BY every book, map, ant
document in the Congressional and Smith
sonian Libraries relating to, Russia ant
her possessions. Mr.. Fessenden replied