Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-09-17


the treaty for the purchase OF
Alaska stands alone in the history oI
diplomacy as an important event, by
reason of not being attended by pro-
tocols or dispatches, and shows great
tact and ability on the part of those
who conducted the negotiations.
The archives of the State depart
ment show a continued progress and
growth of friendship and cordiality
between the United States and Russia
beginning with the establishment Of
this government. The civil war
which disturbed the relations between
the United States and most European
countries, was marked in its beginning
by demonstrations of sympathy and
solicitude for the stability of the
federal Union, on the part of Russia
1t is fact not generally known that
an agreement was made between the
two countries that the United States
would be at liberty, if necessary, tc
carry prizes into Russian ports during
the progress of the war.
In the years 1S64-5 Mr.. Seward
then Secretary of State, was besieged
letters and memorials from prominent
people and the legislatures of the
Pacific States, urging the purchase Of
Alaska.
A letter from Mr.. j. I. Kirkland, to
Secretary Seward, who had made
several visits to Alaska, and a personal
friend of Hon. John Sherman, then
United States Senator, suffices to show
what led to the purchase of Alaska.
His letter in part says:
"Our American company continued
northward, but not far enough. We
were forced to return for want of ra-
tions. However, during our explora.
tions, we found quantities of coarse
gold and masses ofcopper. The result
of work done by hand rocker and
pan for eight days was $25,1OO in
virgin gold. We discovered great
quantities Of silver and often pieces
as large as a silver dollar. Our party
also saved large variety of valuable
stones, which, in their rough we had
no knowledge of their value, except
agates, red and green, and rubies, red
and black. During our return trip we
were canoe wrecked and lost most of
our seasons work"
A letter from Mr.. w. L. Cole, of
Portland, Or, to Secretary Seward,
under date OF May 13, 1864, says:
"Gold can be found in Russian
America by panning the drift of the
bed and bars of the river. 1t is known
as flour gold To collect it will re-
quire blankets, quicksilver and greater
care and attention than Is generally
given to the methods in vogue in
California. The United States should
purchase that domain as soon as
practicable. Not only would it prove
invaluable in its numerous undis-
covered gold fields, but its vast min
eral, fur and fish trade would be O
valuable acquisition to the govern
ment."
The above letters are only those of
hundreds of like character that Sec
retary Seward received. The reliability
and standing of the authors were
always proved to his satisfaction. He
thus thoroughly satisfied himself that
the acquisition of Russian America
would be great thing for this coun.
try, so he began negotiations for the
purchase.
September 26, 1865, Secretary of
State Seward, by direction of the Presi-
dent, invited the emperor OF Russia to
send his principal adviser to the United
States intimating an opinion that
such a visit would be beneficial to
both counties, and by no means un-
profitable to Russia, and giving him
the assurance that the archduke, COM
ing as a national guest, would receive
a most cordial welcome by the gov.
ernp' ent and the American people.
The condition of domestic affairs in
Russia at that time prevented the
acceptance Of the invitation.
In October, 1866, Secretary Seward
began negotiations with the Russian
minister. Prince Strockl, who, after
a conference with the Secretary OF
State, laid the application before his
government. This was the first i'm
portant step which led to this great
real estate purchase. Shortly after
this, Prince Strockl was authorized to
act in the name of the emperor of all
Russia, and so informed Secretary
Seward. The first thing to be decided
was the price. Mr.. Seward submitted
the Russian governments figure of
81, 100000 to the President and full
cabinet, together with the petitions,
letters and State memorials which he
had received relative to the matter.
There was not a dissenting voice in
the cabinet; the price they declared
to be a mere bagatelle. Mr.. Seward
informed the minister that the price
was satisfactory to the President and
cabinet, and that he was prepared to
frame the treaty. There was not an
article in its whole corporation that
was not satisfactory to all parties. By