Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-04-28

l..
Il, 1867. the acrimonious occupation
OF the territory took place at Sitka.
The expedition sent out for the purpose
OF occupation by the United States
government comprised 250 soldiers,
under the command OF General Rous-
sean, On its arrival at Sitka 1t was
received by the Russian garrison with
military honors. The battalions of
both countries formed in separate
line. They exchanged flags and fired
alternate salutes, Next the troops
were brought to present arms, the
Russian banner was lowered from the
Flagstaff at the top of the fort and
then the Russian representative, ad-
dressing General Rousseau, said:
by the authority of his majesty the
emperor of all the Russians trans
fer to the United States all right and
title to the territory of Alaska"
General Rousseau replied: by the
authority of the president of the
I United States l accept the transfer"
The United States flag was then
hoisted above the barracks and the
ceremonies ended by banquet ON
beard of one of the men of war
No such scene was ever before en-
acted on this continent In which the
government and people of the United
States had part All other territorial
acquisitions had been of territory
contiguous to that of this country and
after difficult and protracted negotia
tions. Alaska was distant foreign
country and its acquisition was
brought about in short time and
with little or no difficulty. And at n
distance of 1000 miles from Washing
ton, away beyond British America, a
few score of United States soldiers,
meeting a handful of Russian soldiers
who were likewise thousands of
miles from st. Petersburg
peaceful possession of u territory
known to be of vast size. but of which
little else was known.
Senator Gwin of California in 1859
had a talk with President Buchanan,
in which the senator urged that the
Russian government be invited to
consider whether 1t would not consent
to cede Alaska for Il sufficient con-
sideration to the United States. Blu
chanan thought favorably OF the mat
ter, but the most he would do was to
authorize Senator Gwin to commence
an unofficial correspondence with the
Russian minister at Washington, In
which he should mention the sum CT
So 900 900, as possible equivalent for
the territory. The Russian minister
obtained from his government the per.
mission to enter into the corrcspon-
dence. The more Buchana thought OH
the subject the more he was inclined
to favor the suggested purchase, end
though the Russian government re-
piled that larger sum than 5000 600
should be offered, 1t is almost GER
tain that, had not the civil war broke
out, the credit Of the acquisition OF
Alaska would have been President
Buchanan's.
Nothing more was heard OF Alaska
till 1866. In that Year the charter OF the
Commercial company, which mad ex.
ercised all power In the couLtry
ever since Russian settlements we're
first made there, was about TO expire.
1t was understood everywhere ON the
coast that on the terms named by
the Russian emperor a renewal of the
charter would not be made by the
company's members. Some people on
Puget sound, In Washington territory,
who were beginning to have pretty
good idea of the value OF ALASKA,
deemed 1t favorable time to inter
est the United States in regard 10 It,
The legislature OF Washington ter
ritory adopted memorial on the sub
sect, which was sent TO President
Johnson. Its representations we're
more especially with reference 20 the
cod and other fisheries, but inentlol OF
other resources OF the territory was
not omitted, In conclusion 1t was
urged that the United StaCes acquire
all of Alaska by some speedy process.
Johnson thought we'll Of this memorial
ard directed Secretary Seward to give
II his attention.
But California had alroa ly es-
tablished important commercial reIa-
lions with Alaska and the merchants
of San Francisco knew Ear petite: than
other people the possibilities Of mat
territory. Steps were taken Ia that
year (1S66) by a number of San F:aa.
cifsco capitalists toward organizing
a company to operate in the same
districts and on the same lines as the
Hudson Bay company. Abundance OF
capital was subscribed, but 1t was
found useless TO proceed with the en-
terprise unless Alaska were made
possession of this country. Those
shrewd men Of San Francisco did not
dismiss the subject from their minis
they simply waited for time when by
change in the ownership of the coveted
territory, they might succeed TO the
vast fisheries, including the exclusive
right to XIII the seals. that had been
so long enjoyed by Russians ard