504 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT LKITAIN. 



AinicLE II. 



In tne ce.ssion ot territory nnd doiiiiniou iiiado by tlio precediii,[!,' Article ar(> included 

 the right of })ropi'rty in all public lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public 

 buildings, fortitications, barracks, and other cdiliees which are not private indi- 

 vidual property. It is, however, iiuderstood and agreed, that the churches vhicli 

 have been built in the ceded territory by the Kussiau Government, 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 bo left in the possession of the Agent of the IJnited States ; but an authenticated 

 copy of euch of them as may be required, will bo, at all times, given by the Ignited 

 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 pre- 

 fer to remain in the ceded territory, they, with the exception of uncivilized native 

 tribes, shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immu- 

 nities of citizens of the United States, and shall be maintained and protected in the 

 free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion. The uncivilized tribes will 

 bo subject to such laws and regulations as the ITuited States may. from time to time, 

 adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country. 



Akticle IV. 



His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias shall ajipoint, with convenient dis- 

 patch, 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, prop- 

 erty, 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 ratitications, without waiting for such formal delivery. 



Akticlio Y. 



Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this Convention, any forti- 

 fications or military posts Avhich may be in the ceded territory shall be delivered to 

 the Agent of the United States, and any Russian troops which maybe in the territory 

 shall be withdrawn as soou as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable. 



6 Article VI. 



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

 Treasury in Washington, within ten inontiis after the exchange of the ratifications 

 of this Convention, to the Diplomatic Representative or other Agent of His Majesty 

 the Ein])eror of All the Russias, duly authorized to receive the same, 7,200,000 dol- 

 lars in gold. The cession of territory and dominion herein made is hereby declared 

 to be free and unencumbered ))y any reservations, privileges, fianchises, grants, 

 or iiossessious, by any associated Companies, whether corporate or incorporate, Rus- 

 sian or any other, or by any parties, except merely private individual i)roperiy hold- 

 ers; 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 YH. 



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 ratifications 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 30th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1867. 



[l. s.] ' William H. Seward. 



[l. s.] Edouard de Stoeckl. 



