The herald., 1897-09-10
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HOW We GOT Alaska
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The Klondike gold discovery is at
tracing unusual attention to Alaska.
While nearly every one knows it was
formerly called Russian America and
that the territory was a possession of
the empire whose name it bore, many do
not know the history of the acquisition
by our country in detail. Few now re-
member that distinguished resident of
Los Angeles bore SO prominent a part
in the negotiations.
The formal transfer took place at
Sitka on the 18th of October, 1867, nearly
thirty years ago.
The matter had been under considera-
ton at Washington nearly ten years be-
fore Senator William M. Gwin Of Califor-
MIA having suggested the purchase. of
the territory to President Buchanan.
This was in 1859, and the war following
so soon after stopped the matter for the
time. Some correspondence was had with
the Russian government at that time
and the sum of $4,000, 900 was mentioned
as what the United States might be will
ling to pay.
In 1866 the charter of the Ala ska Com
mercial company was about to expire,
and there was some dispute between the
Russian government and the company
as to the terms on which the charter
might be renewed. The acquisition of
the country was always desired by the
people of the Pacific coast, and this was
thought to be favorable time to take up
the subject again with Russia. Hon.
Cornelius Cole, our townsman now, was
at that time senator for California. He
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many merchants in San Francisco who
knew a good deal about the value of
Alaska.
The Chicago Chronicle of recent date
thus tells of Senator Coles connection
with the negotiations which finally
ended in the purchase:
"In 1866 Senator Cornelius Cole Of CAL
ifornia labored at Washington to induce
the johnson administration to make q
definite offer to purchase Alaska. At last
he was authorized by Seward to sound
the mind of the Russian envoy and to
intimate the desire of the president
Gortchakof, the Russian head of affairs
at that time, was advised of what was
in the wind at Washington, and as
Baron Steckel had just been appointed
minister to the United States and was
about to depart from st. Petersburg he
was instructed to meet the Washington
authorities half way should they pro-
pose formal negotiations. On his arri-
val in March, 1867, he did not delay to ad-
wise Secretary Seward that he was pre-
pared to enter into formal negotiations
Senator Cole was still permitted by the
secretary to employ himself in the gen.
eral matter. So prominent was he, in
deed, while the negotiations were pend
ing that it was difficult to say who was
the negotiator on the part Of this gov
ernment, Seward or Cole. Anyhow, It
was supposed by the most to be Pacific
coast scheme. Largely it was, but it did
not yield the advantages that were fore
seen until 1870, when the Grant admin =
istration allowed coast syndicate to
get away with the monopoly of the seal
killing on the Pribyloff islands.
| Stewards first offer for Alaska was
the round sum of $7,000,0O0 If rumor at
the time was correct, the payee of that
sum was bound to cultivate the newspa-
pers of the capital and to supply the
| lobby with funds against the day when
the treaty should be before the senate
| for its ratifica ton. The offer was re-
ported to st. Peters burg, and in return
Stoeckel was told to demand-in order to
meet the expenses of the lobby, un-
friendly critics charged-$250, 600 in addi-
ton. This, Seward acceded to-Russia
it was agreed, should have $7,250 600 for
| Alaska and it's transfer free of ir.cum-
brance of whatever nature to the Unite
States The fact of agreement as to the
price was cabled to the czar by Baron
Stoeckel, and receiving answer that he
go ahead, at 4 o'clock on the same day
he and Seward signed the treaty"
The only votes cast in the senate
against the treaty were two. by Morril
of Vermont and Fessenden of Maine.
| General Rousseau with $50 soldiers
was dispatched to take possession of the
country. On his arrival it was done as
follows. We quote again from the Chi
cago Chronicle:
"On it's arrival at Sitka it was re.
ceived by the Russian garrison with mil
tary honors. The battalions of bott
countries formed in separate line. They
exchanged flags, and fired alternate sa-
lutes. Next the troops were brought tt
present arms, the Russian banner was
lowered from the Flagstaff at the top ol
the fort ard then the Russian represent.
ative, addressing General Rousseau
said:
by the authority of his majesty the
emperor of all the Russias 1 transfer te
the United States all right and title tt
the territory of Alaska
General Rousseau replied: BY thu
authority of the president of the United
States l accept the transfer.
1.-The United States flag was ther
hoisted above the barracks and the cere
monies ended by a banquet on board O
one of the men of war"
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