Year: 1868

The St. Petersburg Journal, official organ
of the Russian government, announced some
short time since that the Czar Alexander had
instructed his minister in Washington to re-
mind the United States authorities that the
time originally named for the payment of the
Alaska purchase money had passed, and the
Journal, after publishing the fact, expressed
hope that the American Congress would
see fit to provide for the discharge of the debt
by the LIST of May. This is quite a friendly
and gentlemanly manner of informing us that
our imperial creditors expect their cash
momentarily, and may be quite effective
by reason of its delicacy of tone and ex-
preston, in inducing Congress to order the
payment of the money. 1t is well to con-
slider, however, that the radical Managers
may not deem it prudent to send seven millions
and q half of gold out of the country just at
this moment, in face of the installation of Ben
Wade as President and further imitation of
the currency, and may probably request an
other extension Of time from the Russians.


The Emperor of Russia has, however, his
treasury necessities just as well, and may be
consequently compelled to decline to accom-
modate us further. In such dilemma we
do not see what can be done other than send
him the specie direct, OF else order Mr.. Seward
to draw on the British Treasury for the amount,
authorizing the Chancellor of the Exchequer
to take credit for the draft, when honored, as
against our Alabama claims charges.


We do not require an immediate payment of
the Alabama claims bill in full; but as John
Bull is plethoric, as usual, of gold he will not
be likely to refuse to oblige two friendly Powers
by taking up our small check in favor of Russia.
Indeed, the very fact of Johns tardiness and
diplomatic writings about the discharge of the
Alabama damages account is producing
rather demoralizing effect in the matters of
international debts and credits by encouraging
delay on the part of different sovereign Powers
in their acquittal.


By way of Australia we have just had
advices from Polynesia to the effect that
Secretary. Seward has lately been pressing
King Thakombau, of Fiji, for the payment
of eighty thousand dollars in gold acknowl-
edged by his Majesty as due to us for
losses sustained by American settlers in his
dominions at the hands of his subjects, and
that the Secretary assured him If the money was
not forthcoming on the 1st of May the Ameri-
can flag would be hoisted on the islands. The
King, however, needs time. His Majesty sold
some Of his territory lately to the Emperor of
France, receiving in payment three gallons of
brandy. This he has consumed, and, finding
that the French were rather "smart" for him
in the bargain, claims that there is good deal
of money due to him in Paris with which he
will discharge our debt when he receives It,
Pending the moment of settlement he forwarded
the Whales Tooth treaty promise mission,
lately reported in the HERALD, to Washing
ton. King. Thakombau has, no doubt, heard
from Australia that the British Cabinet
has made out ''bill of set off" against the
Alabama claims, Lord Stanley requiring to be
paid for losses sustained by the swift blockade
runners from the Clyde at the hands of our
naval officers when seeking to give ''aid and
comfort, by the delivery of food, clothing and
munitions Of war to the JEFF Davis rebels.
Acting on the same principle he will no doubt
enlarge his demands on France and ask o
round sum for the trouble which his peo-
pie may have had in roasting and eating
some of the French missionaries, and
thus sending them to the promised land
at shorter date than they looked for. Should
he obtain his money from Napoleon he will, we
are certain, fully redeem his whales tooth, and
in like manner Secretary Seward may be COM
PEELED to delay the Gar until he has either
the cash or promise Of temporary accommo-
dation from Downing street. International
debts and credits are getting decidedly mixed.


The Crafan Aaueduct Raid Dcfcafed.