The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-02

whole length and breadth Of the United States who
had ever conceived the idea that Alaska valu-
and the very existence Of the United States govern
Saa SET al
the declaration that the Committee on Foreign
(Mr. washburn) asserted, however, that no majority
OF the committee had ever concurred In the report
-Four members OF the committee were In favor OF the
report, Tour against II, and one member had given
no opinion on the subject.
Mr.. BANKS remarked that he had not stated that
there was majority OF the whole committee in favor
Of the report although he believed that to be the
Mr.. wAsHBURN said he was sorry the gentleman's
speech yesterday had not appeared In the Globe this
morning 80 that he might answer every one Of his
majority Of the committee and proceeded to crcise
II. lie declared that although 1t might be argued
mat Congress had never failed to make the necessary
appropriations to carry out treaty, the House had
always asserted Its right to consider the question and
to make or withhold the appropriation as 1t deemed
IN exercising its best Judgment in the matter. II
Congress approved OF the treaty it should vote the
not vote the money. Mr.. washburn read from
the stipulations OF the treaty of 1859 between
OF navigating freely all the rivers and streams open
ing into the Pacific Ocean, and showed that under
pre.eXlsing treaty between Russia and the United
states the same rights were conferred upon citizens
OF the United States and that at the time this treaty
was negotiated citizens of the United States had the
right or navigating freely all the inland seas, CULTS
aud creeks along the coast for the purpose of fishing
and trading with the natives. BY the same treaty
with Great Britain the port of Sitka had been made
free port
Mr.. PRuyN tdem.) Of N. y, remarked that the
pre-exis;ing treaty with the United States was only
for ten years, and asked whether, by that expired
treaty the United States entitled to all the priv-
leges granted by Russia TO the most favored nations
Mr.. WAsHBURN replied that the treaty Of 1882 had
never been abrogated until certain notice had been
gwen, which never had been given.
Mr.. PRrYN remarked that 1t might be terminated
az any time
Mr.. BLAINE inquired how the transfer of the terri
tory would AFFECT the treaties with other Powers.
Mr.. MAsBBuRN said that when the treaty was
being first negotiated the price fixed was only
STOOo,o0o; hut Mr.. Seward had insisted that the
Tinted states should have the territory from all
encunhrances. Mr. Stoeckl had replied very promptly
that he hal complete authority to grant 1t free, and
then MI. seward had volunteered to give 5000, 900
more The encumbrances had not been removed
aud could not he removed They were, first, the
right Ia navigate the rivers OF Alaska forever. How
did the.Chairman OF the Committee on Foreign Rela
ilons propose to get around THAR
Mr.. BANKS remarked that the right which Great
Rritaln had acquired was to navigate the rivers
rising IN British Columbia and passing through Rus
sian America. u covered the Stickeen river only.
That was right which tlHs country had claimed
from the Foundation Of the government-tha; where
yer takes It's r-- In the tniied states Its citizens
have the right Ia follow u To Its mouth.
MI. BlnNE-Do We concede that IN reference to
the Mississippi
Mr.. HANk~-Me claim it.
britain.
thing OF the Kind other nations have never conceded
~ 10 We have the free navigation OF the ~. Law
rencef
Mr. BaNKs-It IN not In our territory.
M. MAsnnuR> went ON 10 show that Great Britain
had to-day the same rights the coast OF Alaska
the United States had except the right Of governing
my thousand or sixty Thousand miserable savages.
referring 10 report made by the Commissioner OF
the era Land once he spoke OF az the report
% Joe Wilson, recently made 'Docior OF Philoso.
ply, and declared that there was not word OF
Mr. PETKas Irep) OF Me-, referring to the right OF
navigating the rivers of Alaska, mentioned the case
81 the ~. Johns river, which forms the boundary
l..faU k..t..
hundred miles, and said that although s largest TIL
butarie- TOOK ~ rise In Maine Great Britain had
never acknowledged the right III Americans TO nav-
gate Johns river until the treaty OF Is42 when
tue United states bought qualned use OF IL by the
sat, 81 Maine giving up very large area OF terri
Nj. ~ AtNg aided that the ccded territory was
worih sISoeo,ooo, and that the government OF the
vn ted taes had only given Maine sis0,0o0 for n.
Mr.. MA~nBrRN. IN contradiction u Mr.. Banks
statement 10 the agricultural and other capabii-
ties Of Alaska, read extracts from report recently
made by Russian Under Secretary. in reply TO In
auires made ny The American Minister at 80. Peters
burg the land system of the territory. He said
had when reading MT. scward's letter as TO the
system % disposns 81 land IN Alaska The report OF
the Russian Under secretary that the native popu
laion too insignificant to have any collision about
land that the land was perfectly barren ana unfit
therefore there Was no reason for endeay oring to
extend the limits Tot property IN land; that the per
manent Tugs and damrness of Alaska, and the want
oi solar heai and light, would make n impossible
even 90 provide hay for the cattle. And this. said
1 MI. MaHhburn, the paradise Mhich had been de
| plcted yesterday IN such eloquent terms by the
chairman Of the toinniiee on Foreign Affairs that
I.ens on the .anks Of the huphraies. was reaii, ia
Alaska.
NJ. BIAISE inquired VINO had written that report.
Mr. wssHBUES-A member OF the Kussian Cabinet.
Mr.. BLAINE-Aftcr the bargain mades
Nj MssHHuHS-ies, after the bargain was made.
Mr. RAIN. lrcpl of lii., inquired whether the de-
scription Rad ~ Mr. washburn related 10 the whole
Nc w.sHBuR~ replied thai IL applied 10 the whole
c0d@t, only more fisauRhferl
M. RAOn asked whether q sas fair description
of tie ~huic purchase.
NJ. MssunrHs said u was.
M. BLsiSE-And made BY those who best knew
NJ wAsunrHS went on 10 speak OF the ma
chiuers brought 90 bear 10 influence the senate and
llou-e IN avor Of ne treaty. lie spoke OF General
Hallcrks telegram from san Francisco informing
NJ. seward that the inhabitants ~ the Pacific states
greatly excited "a iayOr Of the ratification OF the
word 81 truth IN General Hallecks despatch.
and that General iiaieck did not, 81
the .seniiment 81 the people % California
he denied AL The statements a. 10 the agricultural
fur trade there was exhausted. and tiat there was
NO fishing bans within the limits OF Russian America.
Ne Thought he bad clearly demonstrated the utter
o. aoo0O Ia be the end " the expense he might
be wiling 10 submit 20 %: but IN addition 10 that
a year. General Bsiieck had stated that n our
Indian system we're introduced IN Alaska indian
wars would follow. and the result would be the
pcnditure OF many millions a year. N THIS TAI were
passed he predsied that within three DAYS rcsolu
ilon would he introduced M ne senate ior the pur
chase Of ~. Thomas tie held IN his hand a dOct-
mcnt which showed that u Was even ia cOniempa.
ton to purchase Greenland aud Iceland Oaughier
The second hour allowed 10 Me-. Narhburn having
expired. n moved that he De allowed hall an
hour longer he saying that he desired 10 refer par
iiculariy 10 some points va M. Banks speech.
Nj. STEyESs. Iep.l Of Pa, objected. remarkng
that somebody should have an Opp0rt lnitJ OF
speaking fOf ten minutes.
Nr. f.OvGnRiDoE moved the amendment which be
had susg osied On the evening session " YESTERDAY.
Mr.. EifOr, rep ~ Mass, moved 20 mnend the
ball by adding pfoyiso that no purchase IN behalf
0f the tinted states ~ foreign territory shall be
hereafter made until after provision by law for us
payment ana declaring that the treaty making
power did not include any power 90 complete the
purchase " Foreign Territory before tie necessary
apprOpraflon Wa made therefor by act Of Congress.
Nr. bssx- made the point Of order that the amend