New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-25
THE PURCHASE or ALASKA.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN NEW-YoRK mER
CHANTS AND SECRETARY SEwARD-PREsEs
TATION OF AN HISTORICAL PICTURE.

CORRESPONDENTS BETWEEN NETWORK MER-
CHANTS AND SECRETARY sEwARD-PREsEs-
TATION OF AN HISTORICAL PICTURE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The following cor
respondence viii explain itself
To ne Hon WILLIAM II. SEWARD, Secretary Of STATE Of
he United States, de-. &C.. de-
York in with their felowcitizens through
out the United States beg leave to tender 70 yourself
the patriotic and enlightened head OF the department Of
State OF the American Union, their congratulations On
the success OF your recent negotiations Tor te acqus
ton by the United States Of the Russian territories con
tnental and nsuar, in North America Aiter the fui
and exhaustive discussion OF the merits Oh me treaty
the Senate as the constitutional advisers OF tne hxecu
tive, IL would superuOus 10 add any expression OF
opinions by individuals IN private nrei IN no g wA
The undersigned cannot, however, refrain from
the commercial, social and political Importance
OF this territorial acquisition IN stimulating and insnr
interests on the Northern Pacific that great ana as yet
nearly unOccuped ocean, the destined theater for many
coming ages OF the expanding trade ana power OF ne
and comprehensive craftsmanship and the high moral
side IN future history with the purchase OF Louisiana
bringing thus early, and scale extensive, orr con
tinenta union into lasting ana friendly contact WIN me
widespread Empire OF Russia, our istTiOs conthehai
conpeer and steadily and so truly, whether In sun
shine or in storm, our trusty and weltred friend For
your untirng vigilance ana sagaey IN cherlshlhg anu
cementng moral alliance so valuable and 50 inportant
during the long and eyenal period in wch our foreign
affairs have been ntrused TO your watchinl attenon'
the American people have reason 70 be forever gs,s
full As visible evidence OF the sentiments mus
mperfecty expressed the undersigned have caused inc
impressive international act Of signing tie recent treaty,
the hand By yourself as the Oh our
national sovereignty and on the other by ls EHeeey
NJ. de SOeck the Minister Plenipotenary OF MS I'M
peria Majesty the Emperor OF Russia ryeting et moro
closely the bonds Of ay between the two great powers
the Pacific, 10 be made the subject OF picture Juss
completed by distinguished American artist ms wOt
OF art repete with historic interest the undersigned
respectfully place at the disposition 81 yourself as
the farseeng statesman, whose sklful and Wise dpo
macy has done much to elevate the character OF his
country among the nations OF tne earth Win
your friends aud feow-citzens,
PETER COOPER. F. A. CoSKLIsG.
ALEX. r. STEWART, WILLIAM ORIos,
HAMILTON FISH, PAUL SfOffOkD,
MOSES TAYLOR. ELLIOT C. COwDH.
MARSHALL o. ROBERTS, SHEPHERD KNAPP,
WIN. II. APPLETON, NM. L. COLEMAN,
ROBERT L. STUART, g n GkRHsoS,
j. TAYLOR JoHSsToS, VIM T. BLODGElT.
DUNCAN, SHERMAN CO., Wd 4. DODGE
A. Q. KINGsLASD,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON, Jan. p. 1868.
GENTLEMEN: have had the honor to receive Leutzes
descriptive painting OF the Alaska treaty ana the ieer
in which you have so kindly presented II 70 me- pray
gentlemen TO accept my sincere thanks Tor TINS con-
that would highly appreciate IT, shall place II as
national memorial by the side OF the a1nented So,es
20 years Gas State memorial by enllstened ana
eminent statesmen citizens OF the City or 70
perpetuate the memory " success which the policy VI
material improvement then achieved over great obstacles
and opposition, In the enlargement and extension OF ,ns
New York canals and railroads. Leutzes painting has
great MERIT not merely as work OF arr but IN otner re-
spects also. The national transaction which II Illustrates
must therefore speak with some reserve OF the historical
and political value Of the work. trust That may how
ever dwell without improperly upon the instructive
composition. IL will keep always before me scene IN
which great ana friendly powers then came together
In the Department OF state, whose d0lLons very nearly
touched each other and extended around the northern
hemisphere Their political institutions and traditions
were very divergent, while their close proximity was
seen TO threaten that later. they must a into
conflicts which would disturb the peace OF the world and
hinder the progress OF civilization They, therefore.
thoughtfuly and with mutual generosity, agreed upon.
and drew through the middle Of common ocean, new
dcmarcation line, which thus became har-
biDger OF their eternal peace and enduring friend
ship. BY happy contriyance the picture pre-
serves the personal and individual traits OF important
public characters but very familiar friends, who
associated IN the transaction the President OF the
United states under whose authority was conducted.
the agents of the United States and Russia who wero
hoDOred with the negotiation and execution OF the treaty.
aud the American statesmen who defended IN the sen
ate and commended 10 70 cOuntrymen. Nor las the
artist forgotten 10 asten another and especially interest
ing association in the drapery OF the picture properly
composed OF the American flag. with its thirteen stripes
and thirtyseyen stars. than truly SYM
bocal Of the peTetuty and aggrandzemen Of orr FREQ
Republic. am, with great esteem and respect, your
Obedent servant, WILLIAM IL sLWARD
Cooper Alex T. Stewart, Hamilton Fish Moses av
lor MAIsha Robert Wm Appleton, Robert D. Stlst Jsha
TAYLOR Johnston Duncan sherman Co, A. L. kngsand T. A.
Condng wm orion Paul Spodori Elliot e. Cowan shepherd
kuapp. Wm. T. Coleman, T. n Garnsca Mm T. Bois,t hn b.
DoGse.