The New York herald., 1876-12-24
THE COMING RUSSIAN SQUADRON.

THE VESSELS COMPOSING IT-coRDIAL REcEp-
TIoN OF THE FLEET IN NEW YORK IN 1868
HosPITABLE TREATMENT OF UNITED STATES
SHIPS OF WAR AT ST. PETERsDUEG-CoUR-
TEsIEs TO OUR EXPECTED GUESTS
There seems to be to doubt that the Russian
Mediterranean squadron Is its way 10 the
United statos and tina, It's arrival may be expected at
this port in week days. According to the
cable dispatches the Emperor Alexander summoned
Mr. Baker, the American Minister at st. PETERSBURG
the imperial residence about fortnight ago and
begged him to communicate TO President Grant the
fact that tho vessels had then already sacd so
that msconception or surprise should be caused by
their appearance in our waters. Tho step made
necessary by the prospect OF immediate war with
Turkey whose naval strength IN that quarter is far
greater than that OF Russia not TO speak OF tho posi-
biy OF tho fleet Of the Porto being reinforced by TINT
OF Great Britain, in the event OF hosttcs breaking
out between the two Powers Tho Russian Meditcrra-
mean squadron consists OF vessels, including two
circular iron-cads, the Novgorod and Admiral PopuT
which are ranked among the powerful engines Of
war afoat The first named has clevcn.inch plating
and armed with two twenty eight guns; tho Po
pan has armor and carries two forty ton
guns
FIRST RUSSIAN FLEET IN NEW YORK.
Russian fleet visited tho United States for the first
time in 1863. II consisted of nine vessels, which ar
rived in New York in September of that ycar An
insurrccton had broken out In Poland early in 1868
consequence OF the en- norccment Of system OF mill
tary conscrptou which selected men best fitted for
SERVICE instead Of tho old plan Of drawing by lot The
Poles refused to submit, and. having taken up arms
issued manifesto to Europe calling for help In
struggle which snsued the OF the insurgents
cited the iivccst sympathy in England and France.
Earl Russell informed the Russian Minister that the
state OF affairs in Poland was source OF danger
to the Empire alone but also to the general peace OF
Europe Propositions were made for settlement Of
tho difficulties but the Cznrs government could only
in tho outbreak the efforts OF tho revolutionary
secret societies. An unconditional pardon offered
TO all implicated in the troubles, but ~ was treated
with contempt by the Poles. Meanwhile preparations
for made in France and England, and
II happened that both these countries deeply
concerned in tho gigantic contest then In progress De
tween the Northern and Southern Amcrican States.
II remembered in the United States tnat Russia
was the only European Power that had shown nny
sympathy for people or exhibited anything like
candor tho view It had taken of affairs tho
cventiul period OF existence u nation nud
its steadfast friendship when other Powers either
indifferent semi hostile was appreciated generally
in the Ioyal States The fleet was sent 10 the United
States IN 1868 IN anticipation OF war. for the samo
reasons. doubt that the squadron from the Mcdi-
tcrranean is now despatched 70 the same benevolent
quarter.
WARM POPULAR RECEPTION.
The frigatc Os,aba was the first TO arrive She was
",
sh,p Gftyone guns; the frigate Percsvlet iorty-sx
guns the corvct,es Vtiaze, eighteen guns Variae,
seventeen guns; and the clippers Almos. nine guns;
Jahant. nine guns; lsamvond, mir guns and the
Emax, sia guns. The squadron was under command
OF Admiral Lasosky Never was moro hospiiabe
reception accorded strangers arriving in a foreign
country The Common Council took Immediate meas
provide Tor suitable manifestation of the good
will of the people On the October the Admiral
and officers OF the fleet conveyed on govern
vessel to the loot Of street.
by committee OF the Common Council and a largo
I'm hpr fcf n had ri
where on landing they wsre received by the FIRST
division OF the State militia Tho regiments turned
OUT with iul ranks. A procession was formed which
passed. through Fifth avenue 70 Union square, and
thcncc down Broadway TO the CITY Hall Mayor
Opdyke welcomed the guests In the Governors Room
The speeches delivered testified to the strong ami
cable feelings existing between the two countries. Tho
Russians subsequently visited the public institutions
and were entertained at grand banquet at which the
late james I. Brady presided. They received every
attention during their stay IN this harbor, and the
cloud having blown over they returned TO Cronstadt
AMERICAN souADRoys ~ RUSSIAN WATERS.
Four years later Admiral Farrngnt with the IRON
clad Miantonomoh and several other vcasels OF the
European squadron, visited ST. Petersburg He was
received with every mark cf distinction grand re-
view OF the entire Baltic fleet TOOK place in his honor
The Emperor Alexander granted the Admiral special
audience. and vas warm IN his expressions OF friend
ship for the United States. The officers Of the Ameri
can vessels were entertained at magnificent banquet
aud on every side they were met with enthusiasm by
both the authorities and the people. In July, last
year Qs'5, the Franklin and Alaska, under the
mand OF Admiral Worden, also paid visit 10 the Rus
sian capital. The King OF Sweden was at tho time a
guest oil the Emperor, ana festivities were IN pro-
gross on scale Of unusual splcndor All the officers
Of the American squadron invited to present
AT the military review at krasnoc-Sclo and pro-
vidcd with places on the imperial stand An invita-
ton was also given them TO dine at the table OF the
court at Peterho In the review OF the feet honor
OF tho King OF sweden tho American vessels partic
pned. Alter visiting the Swedish flagship the Emperor
ana the King. with other royal personages, came
board the Franklin, where they remained nearly balf
an hour. After being received by Admiral w ordcn
and the officers the imperial party viewed the ship
and descended into the Admras cabin (which by the
way, was occupied by William NJ Tweed during his
recent trip from Europel where, at the Emperor's
spccalrequest, the vile and Admiral Wor-
den and the vile of Captain Franklin presented 10
him. subsequently, the Admiral and Captains Carter
and Franklin wce Invited to the c at Peterhof given
for the King OF Sweden and there formally pre-
sented 10 the Emperor.
couRrEsIEs TO THE COMING RussIAxs
Ii viii he observed that the Russian government
aud people have on two occasions since 1863 mani.
tested n the most gratifying manner their sense OF
tho friendly feelings entertained this country for
them The warm hospitality shown by the citizens OF
New York toward Admiral Lasoisky and tho officers
OF his neet and still later the enthusiastic welcome
o the Grand Duke Alexis were forgotten and
there was made evident the strongest desire 10 cult
vatc the most cordial relations between the two na
tons In view OF the early arrival the vessels now
on their way IL will no doubt be considered only
proper that a fitting reception be extended to thcir
officers Tho proper thing WILL Of course, be by
our own naval authorities; but considering the crcunl
stances Of the VISIT civic bodies may deem IL proper