Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-04-16
TINE RUSSIAN TREATY.

The following is the text of the Russian
American treaty which was ratified by the
Senate ON Tuesday;
The United States of America, and his
Majesty the Emperor of the Russias, being
DESTROYS of strengthening, if possible, the
good understanding which exists between
them, have for that purpose appointed as
their plenlpotentiares, the President of the
United States, William II. Seward, Secre-
tary OF State, and his Majesty the Emperor
Of all the Russlas, Mr., Edward de StOeckl,
his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
poientary to the United States, and the said
plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their
hull powers, which were found to be in due
form, have agreed upon and signed the lol-
lowing articles
ARTICLE l. His Majesty, the Emperor Of
all the Russias, agrees TO cede to the United
States, by this convention, Immediately upon
the exchange of the Publications thereof, all
the territory and dominion now possessed
by his said Majesty on the continent OF
America and in the adjacent islands, the
same being contained within the geographic
cal limits herein set forth, 10 wit: The eastern
limit is the line of demarcation between the |
Russian and the British possessions in North |
| America, as established by the convention |
between Russia and Great Britain of Feb |
ruary % (t6), 1925, and described in articles |
third and fourth Of said convention in the |
following terms Commencing from the |
| suuthernmost point of the island called Prince |
OF Wales Island, which point lies in the
parallel OF 549 40' north latitude, and be-
4 tween the l3lst and 1882 of west longitude,
meridian OF Greenwich. The said line shall
scend to the north along the channel called
Portland Channel, as far as the point of the
continent where it strikes the seth degree
Of north longitude. From this last mention
"a point the line OF demarcation shall follow
the summit of the mountains situated parallel
10 the coast as far as the point of intersec-
ton of the 141st degree of west longitude Of
tile same meridian, and finally from the said
point Of intersection the said meridian line
OF the 141st degree in its prolongation as far
rs the Frozen Ocean. With reference TO
tie line demarcation laid down in the pre-
cedlng article, it is understood--first, that
tile island called Prince of Wales Island
shall belong wholly to Russia, and now, by
this crsson, wholly to the United States;
second, that whenever the summit of the
mountains which extend in direction paral-
lei to the coast from the 56th degree Of north
latitude to the point of intersection oil the
l41st degree Of west longitude shall prove
to be at the distance Of more than ten marine
leagues from the ocean, the limit between
the British possessions and the line of coast
which is TO belong 10 Russia, as above men
tioncd-that Is TO say the limit OF the posses
siOns ceded by this convention-shall be
formed by line parallel to the winding of
the coast, and shall never exceed the distance
of ten marine leagues thererom. The ives
tern limit within which the territories and
. dominion conveyed are contained, passes
+; through a point in Behring's Strait on the
j parallel of Csc 30' north latitude, at ITS inter-
section by the meridian, which passes mid
II way between the island of Krusenstern, or
+ IgnaaloOk, and the island OF Ratmanog, or
: Noonerbook, and proceeds due north with
c out limitation into the same Frozen Ocean.
, The same western limit beginning at the
u same initial point, proceeds thence in course
y nearly northwest through Behring'S Strait
j. and Behring's Sea, so as to pass midway be
Il tween the northwest part of the island of St.
y Lawrence and the southeast point of Cape
, Choukottki TO the meridian of l72o west
u longitude. Thence, from the intersection Of
e meridian in u south westerly direction, 81
y as to pass midway between the island OF AT
lou and the copper island of the Korand
l. dorski couplet or group in the North Pacific
If Ocean, to the meridian of 1889 west long
tude, so as to include in the territory con
cl yeyed the whole OF the AleutiNn Islands cas-
e OF that meridian
10 ART. .. In the cession of territory anC
l., dominion made by the preceding article art
Il included the right of property in all public
lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public
rs buildings, barracks, and other edfces, which
IN are not private, individual property. 1t is
re however, understood and agreed that tn,
le churches which have been built in the cedet
o territory by the Russian Government shall
y, remain the property Of such members o
j. the Greek Oriental Church resident in tn
r. territory, as may choose to worship therein
Amy Government archives, papers, and docu
ID ments relative to the territory and dominion
t., aforesaid, which may be now existing there
will be left in possession of the agent OF til
II. United States; but an authenticated copy O
VIC such of them as may be required will be a
- all times given by the United States to til
as Russian Government or TO such Russia
ie officers or subjects as they may apply for.
pL ART. 3. The inhabitants of the coded terri
as tory, according TO their choice, reservn
ay their natural allegiance, may return TO Russi
re- within three years; but If they should pre-
oel fer TO remain in the ceded territory, they
de with the exception of uneiyilzed tribes, sha
be admitted to the enjoyment ofall the rights
ant advantages, and immunities of citizens
ia the United States, and shall be maintaine
at and projected in the free enjoyment of the
he liberty, property, and religion. The NJ
or civilized tribes will be subject to such law
nix and regulations as the United States ma
from time to time adopt in regard to aborig
nal tribes OF that country.
zen ART, a, His Majesty, the Emperor of a
70 the Russas, shall appoint, with converter
d" dispatch, an agent OF agents for the purpO!
oil formally delivering TO similar agent
its agents, appointed on behalf Of the Unite
ted States, the territory, dominion, property, d
in Tendencies, and appurtenances which a
eeded as above, and for doing any other a
which may be necessary in regard theret
The but the cession, with the right OF immedia
asst possession, is nevertheless to be deemed cor
led plete and absolute on the exchange Of rati
: u cations, without waiting for such formal d
# a livery. st
nan ART. s. Immediately after the exchange
at the ratifcations of this convention, any fc
I'D. titications or military posts which may be
ngs coded territory shall be delivered to Il
,ni, agent Of the United States, and any Russi,
the troops which may be in the territory shi
the be withdrawn as soon as may be reasonab
ngs and conveniently practicable
on ART, q. In consideration Of the cess
uld aforesaid, the United States agree to pay,
Ieht the Treasury in Washington, within =
D to months after the exchange of the rattle
ZEN. cations of this convention, TO the diploma
ely, representative, or other agent of his Majes
nit the Emperor OF all the Russias, duly
into thorized to receive the same, - MILL
the dollars in gold. The cession OF terrific
eek, and dominion herein made is hereby
At manded TO be free and unineumbered by a
ing reservations, privileges, franchises, gran
hes. or possessions, by any associated cOmpani
ook whether corporate or incorporate, Russian
r. any other, or by any parties except mer