The times., 1897-07-21
HOW ALASKA WAS ACQUIRED
The Treaty With Russia Pro-
yiding for Its Purchase.
COST us $7,2OO,OOO IN GOLD
A Doubtful Bargain at the Time,
1t Has Become the Mecca of the
Gold Hunters Thirty Years Later.
The Terms of the Treaty and
the boundaries.

Andrew johnson, President of the United
States, sent q message 20 Congress on July
6, 1867. communicating copy Of a treaty
between the United States and his ajesty
the Emperor OF all the Russias, and recon-
Inending an appropriation for the payment
for the territory ceded to the United states
and legislation for the occupa ton and gov
eminent of the same.
This was how the United States came to
own the gold fields of Alaska.
This message from the President was
read, and it was ordered that so much of
1t as recommends an appropriation for
payment for said territory be referred 10
the Committee on appropriations, and that
so much of it as relates to the occupation
and govern ment of the territory be referred
to the Committee on Territories
In his communication to the Senate and
House of Representatives President johnson
said; The notifications of this treaty were
exchanged in this city {Washingtonl ON the
Goth or Juno last This instrument pro-
vides for accession of territory 70 the
United States in cons.derat on of the pay
mcnu OF 81 100000 in gold"
The plenipotentiaries were: On the part
of United States, William II. Seward, Secre-
tary of state; On the part of Russia, Privy
Counselor Edward de Stoeckl, minister 10
the United states.
BY this treaty, the Emperor OF all the
Russias agreed to cede TO tfe United
States al the territory and dominion
possessed hy the Emperor OF Russia ON
the continent of America and in the al =
jacent islands, the same being contained
within the geographical limits herein set
forth, TO wit: The eastern limit is the
line of deIuarcation between the Russian
and British possessions in North America
as established by the convention between
Russia and Great Britain OF February
1928, 1925, and described in the fol-
lowing terms:
Comm encine from the southernmost
point of the island. called Prince of Wales
Island, which point lies in the parallel Of
| 54 degrees 40 minutes north latitude and
between the 131st and 1851 degree OF
west longitude, the said line shall ascend
to the north along the channel called Port
land Channel, as far as the point OF the
! continent where it strikes the seth de
gree Of north latitude; from this last men-
toned point the line OF demarcatiOn shail
follow the summit of the mountains
situated parallel TO the coast as far as
the point of the intersection OF the 141st
degree OF west longitude, and from the
said point of intersection, the said me
ridan line OF the 141S St degree. in its
proiongatiOn as far as the Frozen Ocean
1t was agreed that the Inhabitants OF
the ceded country, according 10 their
choice, reserving their natural allegiance.
might return TO Russia within three years.
The cession OF the territory and the dO-
minion granted was declared by Russia
To be free and unemcumbeTed byany reSer-
vations, privileges, franchises, grants or
possessions by any associated companies.
whether corporate or incorporate, Russian
or any other: or by any parties except
merely individual property holders.