The Placer herald., 1867-04-27
The Accusation of Russian America.

The S. F. Mercantile Gazette says The
purchase by the United States Government
of the Russian possessions on the Pacific will
probably affect the interests of California
more directly than any other State in the
Union. San Francisco, the terminus Of the
Pacific Railroad, and the harbor for the
various lines of steamers that run to Pana'
ma, China, Japan, Oregon and the Islands
of Oceanca, must be the metropolis of the
future Pacific empire, and the more numer'
Gus the tributaries to her commerce, the
more rapidly and widely will her influence
extend. 1t is 10 be regretted that so little
is known of the newly acquired Territory
that its extent, population or resources can
only be stated approximately. 1t is sufi.
cient, however. to know that it is ours -
There need be no fear but that American
enterprise and energy will turn it to good
account. The motives which prompted the
Government to purchase it are not material
to US. There are probably some "State SCI
crets" connected with the subject with which
prudence dictates it were better not TO medt
die. The main part Of the new acquisition
comprises that portion of the continent wes'
of longitude l4l degrees west, and embraces
all of the Pacific coast commencing at lati-
.ude 60 degrees north, and extending south
between the Ocean and the British Posses
sions for nearly four hundred miles, and in.
cudes the densely timbered peninsula OF
Alaska and several large and important Is
lands, among which are the Alcutian, Prince
of Wales, Duke of York and George ILL.,
Archipelagoes, Kodiak and Sitka Isauds-on
the latter of which is the town of New Arch
angel, containing about 1000 inhabitants.
The southern extremity of the new Territory
reaches to latitude As deg. 40 min.-the
old boundary line of the State Of Oregon,
about which there came near being war be-
tween the United States and Great Britain,
under the administration of Mr.. Polk. Its
area, as far as can be ascertaned at present,
is about 5OO,O 900 square miles. But little is
known of the country. Its extreme southern
location may not be so great bar to its
settlement by Americans as is generally sup
posed. 1t is doubtful whether it is very
much colder than Maine or Wisconsin. 1t
is known to be rich in furs, timber and min
erals, particularly coal, and its coast is al.
ready famous for its cod and whale fishing.
1t is we'll provided with facilities for shipping
its products, aboundng in navigable sounds
and inlets. The River Yonkon, or Kvichpak,
which flows into Behring's Strait, between
latitudes 81 and 63 degrees north, is navga
bic to the extreme portion Of the new Terri.
tory. It has been explored for several
hundred miles. Prospectors from Cariboo
have for some time past been travelling in
the new Territory, seeking for gold, and if
reports speak truly, with considerable sue.
cess. The engineers Of the Russo American
telegraph expedition found coal and copper
is known to exist in it. We shall probably
soon know more about it; as the California,
Oregon and Mexican Steamship Company
will dispatch the OriAame to Sitka in few
weeks, when party will 60 there to report
particulars. We understand that some Of
the codfsbing men have already taken pos.
session Of some of the Fox Islands in the
name of Uncle Samuel, and intend TO put
up houses to dry their fish, instead Of bring
ing them here for that purpose. That the
new Territory is not barren, uninhabitabe
wilderness, may be inferred from the extent
of the business between it and this city. The
people of Russian America 10 1866 purchased
$l35, ,O44 worth of merchandise from San
Francisco. When it shall be in possession
Of our own citizens it will not be long be-
fore this amount will be handsomely in.
creased. The success of the Russian Ameri'
can trading company, which has been in ex'
istence for several years, affords an idea Of
what may be done. The dividends of this
company have averaged $500,0o0 to $780,
900 annually, employing from fifty to sixty
vessels in carrying on their trade.
WHIrEwAsH1NG FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL
TREEs.-An old farmer in the Germantown
Telegraph says:
"Ihe practice Of coating the bark of fruit
and ornamental trees with whitewash is one
that cannot be too severely deprecated. The
obstruction of the perspratory organs and
orifces, whether effected by the application
of whitewash or any other adhesive material
always acts as fruitful source of disease, and
in time proves fatal 10 the tree. When the
bark becomes rough or inorusted with moss
it should be cleaned by scraping and wash
ing down thoroughly With solution of pot
ash or soda in water, affording smoothness
to the surface without obstructing the pores"
A VIOLENT SUpposIT1oN.-A farmer call
ed at the house of lawyer to consult him
professionally. "Is t squeer at home?" he
inquired of the lawyers lady, who opened
the door to his summons.
coootsva1u