THE GUSTAVUS VASA FOX COLLECTION OF RUSSIAN 

 SOUVENIRS IN THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL 

 MUSEUM. 



By Immanuel M. Casanowicz, 



Of the United States National Museum. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Gustavus Vasa Fox was born in Saugus, Essex County, Massa- 

 chusetts, on June 13, 1821. In 1838 he entered the United States 

 Navy as a midshipman and served for eighteen years, taking part in 

 the war with Mexico. Having attained the rank of lieutenant, he 

 resigned in 1856 to engage in a manufacturing business in Lawrence, 

 Massachusetts. In 1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln as 

 Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and held that office until the close 

 of the civil war. In 1866 he was sent by the United States on a 

 special mission to Alexander II, Emperor of Russia, and took an 

 active part in the negotiations which resulted in the acquisition of 

 Alaska by the United States. On his return he resumed his active 

 connection with business in Lowell, Massachusetts. He died in 

 New York City on October 29, 1883. 



SPECIAL MISSION TO RUSSIA. 



On April 16, 1866, an unsuccessful attempt was made by an 

 assassin on the life of the Emperor of Russia. President Johnson 

 promptly sent a message of congratulation to the Emperor through 

 General Clay, who at that time was the minister to Russia from the 

 United States. In addition to this action, Congress, on motion of 

 Thaddeus Stevens, a Representative from Pennsylvania, adopted 

 on May 10, 1866, the following resolution ''relative to the attempted 

 assassination of the Emperor of Russia:" 



Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 

 in Congress assembled, That the Congress of the United States of America has learned 

 with deep regret of the attempt made upon the life of the Emperor by an enemy of 

 emancipation. The Congress sends greetings 1<> his Imperial Majesty, and to the 

 Russian nation, and congratulates the twenty million of serfs upon the providential 

 escape from danger of the sovereign to whose head and heart they owe the blessings 

 of their freedom. 



Sec. 2. And be it further resolved, That the President of the United Stales lie re- 

 quested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Emperor of Russia. 



Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. 38— No. 1725. 

 Proe.X.M. vol.38— 10- 1 



