The oasis., 1894-05-24
rh. Purchs.e of Alaska.
Chicago Record.

has been uninterrupted cordiality be- tween the United States and Russia since the beginning of our history, and 1t may be said that the czar is the only ruler of tho great powers of Europe with whom there has not been at some time or another some little friction. Whenever we have had trouble with q foreign government Russia has al ways maderthe cordial protfer of her good offices in settling the difficulties During the war of the rebellion her stolid support and sympathy was a source of great strength to the union cause, and there have been several demonstrations by one country and the other to show their friendliness. The first proposition to purchase Alaska was made during the admins tration of President Polk. Again dur ing the administration of Buchanan the projectwas revived, but nothing was done. | Meantime, the rebellion having begun and ended, memorial was forwarded to Russia with formal request that the license be granted, aud the czar in reply sent MT. Stoeck to Washington to treat with thie gov crnment for the purchase of the terri tory. Few treaties have ever been ne- gotiated in so simple manner as that by which Alaska became a Qart of our domain. Only two brief notes passed between the United States and Russia on the subject. The first was written by MT. Seward on March 25, 1867, re newing the formal terms and in let ter of not more than 150 words a prop osition that had previously been made ia conversation for its purchase.
 The other communication was even more brief and reads as follows:
 .'WAsHrSGTos, March 29, 1867. MT Secretary of State: 1 have the honor to inform you that by telegram dat ed 18th of this month from St. Peters burg, Prince G0rtchakOff infoms me that his majesty the emperor of all the RussIas gives his consent to the cession of the Russian possessions on the American continent to the United States for the stipulated sum of s7, ,2O0, ,000 in gold, and that his ma jesy invests me with full power to ne- gotiate and sign the treaty. Please accept Mir. Secretary of State, the as- surances of my high considerations.
 SToECK.
 ITO the Hon. William II. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States"
 Tho treaty was ratified by tue United States senate by vote of 37 yeas to nays, the latter being cast by Mir Fessenden of Maine and Mir. Nor Till of Vermont, who Is still iu the senate A public proclamation of the treaty was made in the following June and in August of the same year Maj Gen. Rousseau Of the United States army vas sent on man-of-war 10 Sit ka, where the Russian representative received him With great honor and oAV 'Dt A4ot St abctSA HA tuC bClilbOi1 was made.
 One government very seldom con- veys property tD another therefore the method of transscting the tormalities i7 this ease may be Of iterest. The Russian garrison and the United States troops which accompanied Gen. Rousseau we're drawd up in lines fac ing each other. The two battallons exchanged flags and then alternate sslates were fired from the American sud the Rus-lll batteries The troops | were Linen brought tD present arns' and the Russian banner vas lowered | from the nagsiaff on topof the garri- | sOn. The Russian representative then said: Gen, Rousseau by authority of lis majesty the emperor Of all the RuSSi1s I tranFfer tn 4hh Tnifad |