278 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Mr. Gwin said that ''the United States coukl go as high as 5,000,000 

 dollars for the purchase," on which the former made no coniment. Mr. 

 Appletou, on another occasion, said to the Minister that "the President 

 thought that the acquisition would be very prolitable to the States ou 

 the Pacific; that he was ready to follow it up, but wished to know in 

 advance if Ivussia was ready to cede; that if she were, he would confer 

 Avith his 'Cabinet and iutluential Members of Congress." All this was 

 unofficial; but it was promptly conimuni(;ated to the Russian Govern- 

 ment, who seem to have taken it into careful consideration. Prince 

 Gortschakow, in a despatch whiidi reached here early in the summer of 

 1800, said that "the offer was not what might have been expected; but 

 that it merited mature reflection; that tlie Minister of Finance was 

 about to inquire into the condition of these possessions, after which 

 Eussia would be in a condition to treat." The l*rince added for himself 

 that "he was by no means satisfied personally that it would be for the 

 interest of Russia politically to alienate these possessions; that the only 

 consideration which could make the scales incline that way would be 

 the prospect of gieat financial advantages ; but that the sum of 5,000,000 

 dollars does not seem in any way to represent the real value of these 

 possessions," and he concluded by asking the Minister to tell Mr. 

 Appletou and Senator Gwin that the sum offered was not considered 

 "an equitable equivalent." The subject was submerged by the Presi- 

 dential election which was approaching, and then by the rebellion. It 

 will be observed that this attempt was at a time when politicians who 

 believed in the peri)etuity of slavery still had power. Mr. Buchanan 

 Avas President, and he employed as his intermediary a known sympa- 

 thizer with' slavery, who sliortly afterward became a rebel. Had Russia 

 been willing, it is doubtful if this controlling interest would have sanc- 

 tioned any acquisition too far north for slavery. 



Meanwhile, the rebellion Avas brought to an end, and peaceful enter- 

 prise was renewed, which on the Pacific coast was directed toward the 

 IJussian possessions. Our people there, Avishing new facilities to obtain 

 fish, fur, and ice, sought the intervention of the National Government. 

 The Legislature of Washington Territory, in tlie winter of 18GC, adopted 

 a Memorial to the President of the United States, entitled "in reference 

 to the cod and other fisheries," as follows: 



To his Excellency Andrew Johnson, rresident of the United States: 



Your memorialists, the Legislative Assembly of AVasliingtou Territory, beg leave 

 to show that abundaiice of codiish, halibut, and salmon of excellent quality have 

 been found along the shores of the Russian jtosscssions. Your memorialists respect- 

 fully reqiiest your Excclleney to obtain such rights and privileges of the Government 

 of Russia as will enal)lo our fishing-vessels to visit the ports and harbours of its 

 possessions to the end that fuel, water, and provisions may be easily obtained, that 

 our sick and disabled fishermen may obtain sanitary assistance, together with the 

 privilege of curiug lish and repairing vessels in need of repairs. Your memorialists 

 further request that the Treasury De])artment be instructed to forward to the Col- 

 lector of (Justoms of this Puget Sound District such fishing licences, abstract 

 journals, and log-books as will enable our hardy fishermen to obtain the bounties 

 "now providcMl and paid to the fishernuui in ihe Atlantic States. Your memorialists 

 finally ])ra-y your ]<;;x(^elleii(y to enijiloy su(!h ships as may be spared from the Pacific 

 Naval Ehu'.t in ex])loring and surveying tlie fishing banks known to navigators 

 49 to exist along the Pacific coast from the Cortes liauk to Behring Straits, and 

 as in duty bound your memorialists will ever pray. 

 Passed the House of Representatives, the 10th .January, 1866. 



(Signed) Edwa]!1) Elduidgk, 



Speaker, House of Representatives. 

 Passed the Council, the 13th .January, 1866. 



(Signed) Hakvky K. Hines, 



Fresideni of the Council. 



