280 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Some time liacl elapsed since tlie original attempt of Mr. Gwin, also 

 a Senator from California, and it is probable that the Eussian 

 50 Government had obtained information which enabled it to see its 

 Avay more clearly. It will be remembered that Prince Gortscha- 

 liow had promised an inquiry, and it is known that in 18(51 Captain- 

 Lieutenant Golowin, of the Russian navy, made a detailed Eeport on 

 these possessions. Mr. Cole had the advantage of his predecessor. 

 There is reason to believe, also, that the administration of the Fur Com- 

 pany had not been entirely satisfactory, so that there were well-founded 

 hesitations with regard to the renewal of its franchise. MeanAvhile, in 

 October 1866, M. de Stoeckl, who had long been the Russian Minister 

 at Washington, and enjoyed in a high degree the confidence of our 

 Government, returned liome on a leave of absence, promising his best 

 exertions to promote good relations between the two countries. While 

 lie was at St. Petersburgh the applications from the United States were 

 under consideration; but the Russian Government was disinclined to 

 any minor arrangement of the character proposed. Obviously some- 

 thing like a crisis was at hand with regard to these possessions. The 

 existing government was not adequate. The franchises granted there 

 were about to terminate. Something must be done. As M. de Stoeckl 

 was leaving- in February to return to his post the Archduke Constantine, 

 the brother and chief adviser of the Emperor, handed him a map with 

 the lines in our Treaty marked upon it, and told him he might treat for 

 this cession. The Minister arrived in Washington early in March. A 

 negotiation was opened at once with our Government. Final instruc- 

 tions were received by the Atlantic cable from St. Petersburgh on the 

 21)th March, and at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 30th March this 

 imiiortant Treaty was signed by Mr. Seward on the part of the United 

 States, and by M. de Stoeckl on the part of Russia. 



Few Treaties have been conceived, initiated, prosecuted, and com- 

 pleted in so simple a manner without Protocols or despatches. The 

 whole negotiation will be seen in its result, unless we excei)t two brief 

 notes, which constitute all that passed between the negotiators. These 

 have an interest general and special, and I conclude the history of this 

 transaction by reading them: 



Depaktmext of State, 



IVaskinfjion, March 23, 1867. 



Sir: With reference to the iiroposed Conventiou between our respective Govern- 

 ments, for a cession by Russia of her American territory to the United Stntes, I have 

 the honour to aciiuaiut you that I must insist upon that clause in the; Cth Article of 

 the draft which declares the cession to be free and unincumbered by any reserva- 

 tions, privileges, franchises, grants, or possessions bj'^ any associated Companies, 

 Avhether corporate or incorporate, Russian or any other, &c., and must regard it as 

 an ultimatum. With the President's approval, however, I will add 200,000 dollars 

 to the consideration money on that account. 

 I avail, &c. 



(Signed) William II. Seward. 



M. Edward de Stoeckl, &c, 



[Translation.] 



Washington, March 17 {'29), 1S67. 

 Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honour to inform you that, by a telegram 

 dat(!d the 16th (28th) of this mouth from St. Petersburgli, Prince Gortschakow 

 informs me that llis Majesty the Emperor of All the Ru.ssias gives his consent to the 

 cession of the Russian possessions ou the American Continent to the United States 

 for the stipulated sum of 7,200,000 dollars in gold, and that His Majesty the Emperor 

 invests me with full powers to negotiate and sign the Treaty. 

 Please accept, &c. 



(Signed) Stoeckl. 



To Honourable William II. Seward, 



Secretary of State of the United States. 



