40^TH CONGRESS, 1^ST SESSION.} SENATE. {EX. DOC. NO. 17.

 

MESSAGE

FROM THE

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

COMMUNICATING

 

A copy of a treaty between the United States and his Majesty the Emperor of

all the Russias, and recommending an appropriation for the payment for the

territory ceded to the United States, and legislation for the occupation and

government of the same.

 

july 16, 1867.—Read; ordered that so much of the message as recommends an appropria-

tion for payment for said territory be referred to the Committee on Appropriations; and

that so much as relates to the occupation and government of the territory be referred to

the Committee on Territories.

 

To the Senate and House of Representative :

I transmit to Congress a copy of a treaty between the United States and his

Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, the ratifications of which were ex-

changed in this city on the 20th day of June last.

 

This instrument provides for a cession of territory to the United States, in

consideration of the payment of seven million two hundred thousand dollars in

gold. The attention of Congress is invited to the subject of an appropriation

for this payment, and also to that of proper legislation for the occupation and

government of the territory as a part 6f the dominion of the United States.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

washington, July 6, 1867.

 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas a treaty between the United States of America and his Majesty the

Emperor of all the Russias was concluded and signed by their respective pleni-

potentiaries, at the city of Washington, on the thirtieth day of March last, which

treaty, being in the English and French languages, is, word for word, as follows;

 

The United States of America and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias,

being desirous of strengthening, if possible, the good understanding which exists

between them, have, for that purpose, appointed as their plenipotentiaries—The

President of the United States: William H. Seward, Secretary of State; and

his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias: the Privy Counsellor Mr. Edward

de Stoeckl, his envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United

States.

 

And the said plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their full powers, which

were found to be in due form, have agreed, upon and signed the following

articles:

 

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2 TREATY WITH RUSSIA

 

article I.

His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias agrees to cede to the United

States, by this convention, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications

thereof, all the territory and dominion now possessed by his said Majesty on the

continent of America and in the adjacent islands, the same being contained

within the geographical limits herein set forth, to wit: The eastern limit is the

line of demarcation between the Russian and the British possessions in North

America, as established by the convention between Russia and Great Britain,

of February 28-16, 1825, and described in Articles III and IV of said conven-

tion, in the following terms:

"Commencing 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 the 133d degree of west longitude, (meridian

of Greenwich,) the said line shall ascend to the north along the channel called

Portland channel, as far as the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th

degree of north latitude ; from this last-mentioned point, the line of demarcation

shall follow the summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast as far as

the point of intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude, (of the same me-

ridian;) and, finally, from the said point of intersection, the said meridian line

of the 141st degree, in its prolongation as far as the Frozen ocean.

''IV. With reference to the line of demarcation laid down in the preceding

article, it is understood—

"1st. That the island called Prince of Wales Island shall belong wholly to

Russia," (now, by this cession, to the United States.)

"2d. That whenever the summit of the mountains which extend in a direction

parallel to the coast from the 56th degree of north latitude to the point of inter-

section of the 141st degree of west longitude shall prove to be at the distance

of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the limit between the British

possessions and the line of coast which is to belong to Russia, as above men-

tioned, (that is to say, the limit to the possessions ceded by this convention,)

shall be formed by a line parallel to the winding of the coast, and which shall

never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues therefrom."

The western limit within which the territories and dominion conveyed are

contained passes through a point in Behring's straits on the parallel of sixty-

five degrees thirty minutes north latitude, at its intersection by the meridian.

which passes midway between the islands of Krusenstern, or Ignalook, and the

island of Ratmanoff, or Noonarbook, and proceeds due north, without limitation,

into the same Frozen ocean. The same western limit, beginning at the same

initial point, proceeds thence in a course nearly southwest, through Behring

straits and Behring's sea, so as to pass midway between the northwest point of

the island of St. Lawrence and the southeast point of Cape Choukotski, to the

meridian of one hundred and seventy-two west longitude; thence, from the

intersection of that meridian, in a southwesterly direction, so as to pass midway

between the island ofAttou and the Copper island of the Kormandorski couplet

or group in the North Pacific ocean, to the meridian of one hundred and ninety-

three degrees west longitude, so as to include in the territory conveyed the

whole of the Aleutian islands east of that meridian.

 

article II.

In the cession of territory and dominion made by the preceding article are

included the right of property in all public lots and squares, vacant lands, and.

all public buildings, fortifications, barracks, and other edifices which are not

private individual property. It is, however, understood and agreed that the

 

 

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3 TREATY WITH RUSSIA

 

churches which have been built in the ceded territory by the Russian govern-

ment shall remain the property of such members of the Greek Oriental Church

resident in the territory as may choose to worship therein. Any government

archives, papers, and documents relative to the territory and dominion aforesaid,

which may be now existing there, will be left in the possession of the agent of

the United States; but an authenticated copy of such of them as may be required

will be, at all times, given by the United States to the Russian government, or

to such Russian officers or subjects as they may apply for.

 

article III.

The inhabitants of the ceded territory, according to their choice, reserving

their natural allegiance, may return to Russia within three years; but if they

should prefer to remain in the ceded territory they, with the exception of un-

civilized native tribes, shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights, ad-

vantages, and immunities of citizens of the United States, and shall be main-

tained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and reli-

gion. The uncivilized tribes will be subject to such laws and regulations as

the United States may, from time to time, adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes

of that country.

 

article IV.

His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias shall appoint, with convenient

despatch, an agent or agents for the purpose of formally delivering to a similar

agent or agents appointed on behalf of the United States, the territory, dominion,

property, dependencies, and appurtenances which are ceded as above, and for

doing any other act which may be necessary in regard thereto. But the cession,

with the right of immediate possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete

and absolute on the exchange of ratifications, without waiting for such formal

delivery.

 

article V.

Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, any

fortifications or military posts which may be in the ceded territory shall be

delivered to the agent of the United States, and any Russian troops which may

be in the territory shall be withdrawn as soon as may be reasonably and con-

veniently practicable.

 

article VI.

In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree to pay at

the treasury in Washington, within ten months after the exchange of the ratifi-

cations of this convention, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of his

Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, duly authorized to receive the same,

seven million two hundred thousand dollars in gold. The cession of territory

and dominion herein made is hereby declared to be free and unencumbered by

any reservations, privileges, franchises, grants, or possessions, by any associated

companies, whether corporate or incorporate, Russian or any other; or by any

parties except merely private individual property-holders; and the cession

hereby made conveys all the rights, franchises, and privileges now belonging to

Russia in the said territory, or dominion, and appurtenances thereto.

 

article VII.

When this convention shall have been duly ratified by the President of the

United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on the one

part, and on the other by his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, the ratifi-

 

 

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4 TREATY WITH RUSSIA.

 

cations shall be exchanged at Washington within three months from the date

hereof, or sooner, if possible.

In faith whereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this convention,

and thereto affixed the seals of their arms.

Done at Washington, the thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one

thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.   [l. s.]

EDOUARD DE STOEOKL. [l. s.]

 

And whereas the said treaty has been duly ratified on both parts, and the re-

spective ratifications of the same were exchanged at Washington on this twen-

tieth day of June by William II. Seward, Secretary of State of the United

States, and the Privy Counsellor Edouard de Stoeckl, the envoy extraordinary

of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, on the part of their respective

governments:

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United

States of America, have caused the said treaty to be made public, to the end

that the same and every clause and article thereof may be observed and fulfilled

with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof.

In witness" whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the

United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this twentieth day of June, in the year of

our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, and of the independence

of the United States the ninety-first.

ANDREW JOHNSON. [l. s.]

By the President:

william H. seward, 

Secretary of State.

 

 

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