The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-14
AN ALASKAN LEGEND.

The New York Sun publishes letter from
to what the writer calls "a legend" current
in that territory. and on which he desires
information. The so-called legend and its
supposed origin are stated as follows:
The capture of Mason and Slidell is an
historical fact; the demand of the English
government for their immediate release is
also an historical fact. II is said that at the
time of this demand. whether by accident
or design Is not stated, there was on Capes
Charles and Henry a Russian fleet or seven
war vessels, / think, and, as soon as the
commander of this alleged fleet heard the
news of the demand of the English gov
eminent he caused word to be sent to Pres
ident Lincoln that the fleet was at his dis
posal for the purpose of enabling him TO
resist the aforesaid demand. the student
or history Knows that ii never became nee
essary to use force in resisting this de-
mand, for the reason that Lincoln took the
matter in his own hands. and, if remem-
Der right, against the wish of a majority OF
his Cabinet, released Mason and Slidell,
thus closing that incident, TO use dipio-
matte term.
Now, the legend is that some time after
these incidents and after General Grant be-
came President, IL was determined to re-
ward Russia for her timely aid, or. rather,
her good offices. at that perilous time, and
10 do so 1t was concluded in diplomatic
circles to reimburse her for the expenses
she would naturally have incurred In hav-
ins and maintaining the fleet in close prox-
unity to American waters. But 1t was de-
termined that IT would not be the correct
thing, from diplomatic point of view, for
Congress to make a direct appropriation
for that purpose. for the reason that it
might appear that she was an especially
favored nation. which in itself might make
diplomatic complications that, from poll
cy. If for no stonger reason, should be
avoided. So, In diplomatic circles, IT. was
found necessary to make some shift, and
to sell Alaska to the United States for the
same price that would have reimbursed her
for the cost of maintaining the fleet.
The story goes on to say that the PROPOSE
ton passed the Senate readily in secret
session. but that when 1t reached the House
| there strong opposition to it, which
was only overcome by President Grant re-
questing the House to go into secret ses-
sion to consider a special message from
| him on the subject, after which the meas
| ure was passed without a dissenting vote.
| for current history, and that every time
| fellow gets up. to respond to the toast
| of Alaska in this region we have this legend
| detailed to us, and every would-be orator
| exploits the romance on the slightest provo
cation"
The whole story is curious illustration
of the perversion of history by popular
| tradition, and shows how dangerous ii
would be to go to Alaska for historical
| facts. General Grant had nothing whatever
| to do with the purchase of Alaska. The
purchase was made In 1867, while Andrew
Johnson President, the treaty being
ratified in May Of that year, nearly two
years before General Grant became Presi-
dent There was no necessity of reward
| ing Russia for any kind offices. She had
| been anxious to sell Alaska for many years
| The negotiation began in 1859 and would
| probably have been concluded long before
1t was but for the civil war At the be.
ginning of the negotiation in 1859 and at its
resumption in 1867 the proposition for the
| sale came from Russia. Although there
was some opposition to 1t, both in the Sen
| ate and the House, special pressure
was used to secure the ratification of tn,
| treaty or the appropriation.
The part Of the legend which relate!
to Russia's action during the Mason anc
Slidell affair is very much distorted anC
has scarcely a shadow of foundation. TIL,
whole story belongs in the field of chin
ney-corner tradition