Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-15
THE RUSsO.AMERICAN TREATY.


The Russian treaty, as ratified by the
Senate, only Messrs. Fessenden and
Ferry voting in the negative, was for
warded to the Emperor of Russia by
telegraph, at cost of about $4,000, and
it is understood that his formal assent
to the same has already been received.
The treaty, as the preamble says, is
made for the purpose Of strengthening,
if possible, the good understanding be-
tween the United States and the EN-.
peror.
The first article is long, but merely
defines the boundaries Of the territory
purchased, which includes all the do
minion possessed by His Majesty on
this continent. The remainder of the
document is as follows:
ART. q In the cession Of territory and
dominion, made by the preceding article,
are included the right Of property in all
public lots, squares, vacant lands, all
public buildings, barracks and other ed
ifices, which are not private individual
property. 1t is, however, understood
and agreed that churches which have
been built in the eeded territory by the
Russian Government, shall remain the
property of such members Of the Greek
Oriepts! Church, resident in the terri
tory, as may choose to worship therein.
Any Government archives, papers and
documents relative to the territory and
dominion aforesaid, which may be now
existing there, will be left in possession
of the agent Of the United States, but an
authenticated copy Of such of them as
may be required will be at all times given
by the United States to the Russian Gov
eminent, or to such Russian officers or
subjects as may apply ior them.
ART. 3. Inhabitants of the 'ceded terri
tory, according to their choice, feserving
their natural allegiance, may return to
Russia within three years, but if they
should prefer to remain in the oeded ter
ritory, they, with the exception of un-
civilized tribes, shall be admitted to the
enjoyment of all the rights, advantages
and immunities OF citizens Of the United
States, and shall be maintained and pro.
tected in the free enjoyment of their
liberty, property and religion. Upcivil-
lied tribes will be subject to sch laws
and regulations as the Unitvd States may
from time to time adoptj1h regard to alb
original tribes OF that country.
AIR. 4. His Majesty, the Emperor Of
all the Russias, SHAH appoint, with con-
venient dispatch, an agent, or agents,
for the purpose of formally delivering to
q similar agent, or agents, appointed on
behalf of the United States, the terri
tory, dominion, property, dependencies
and appurtenances which are ceded as
above, and for doing any other act which
may be necessary in regard thereto, but
the cession, with right Of immediate
possession, is, nevertheless, to be deemed
complete and absolute, on the exchange
Of rati6cations, without waiting for such
formal delivery.
ART. s. Immediately after the ex-
change or ratification Of this convention,
any Notifications or military posts which
NAV be in the ceded territory shall be
delivered to an agent ofthe United States,
and any Russian troops which may be
in the Territory shall be Withdrawn as
soon as may be reasonably and con-
veniently practicable. ly
ART. g. In consideration Of the esssion
aforesaid, the United States agree to pay
at the Treasury in Washington within
ten months after the exchange Of rati6.
cations Of this convention, 10 the diplo-
matte representative, or any other agent
Of his Majesty, the Emperor Of sll the
RussiAs, authorized to receive the same,
seven millions, two hundred Thousand
dollars in gold The cession ofterritory
and dominion herein made is hereby de-
clared to be free and unincumbered By
any reservations, privileges, franchises,
grants or possessions, By any associated
companies, whether corporate or incor-
porate, Russian or any other, or by any
parties except merely private individ-
uals and property holders; and the
cession hereby made conveys all the
rights, franchises and privileges now be-
loaging 70 Russia in said territory or
dominion, and appurtenances THERETO.
AR. I. When this convention lnsN
have been duly notified By the PresideL.
Of the United States, By and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, on the
one part aud on the other b. his Majesty,
Emperor ef all the Russia, the ratihca-
ton shall be exchanged AZ Washington
within three - from date hereof, or
sooner. II possible 10 faith whereof.
the respected Pleuipoteutiaries have
signed this convention, and thereto afhx
the seals Of their arms