[white] RUSSIAN AMERICA (ALASKA)— TREATY OF 1825 77 



On Friday night last I gave in my projet. On Saturday we had our first 

 conference when I immediately suspected the turn which things would take. 

 On Sunday Mr. Poletica called upon me with the Russian Contreprojet when 

 I told him frankly the extent of my discretion, or rather non-discretion, upon 

 the three points most immediately at issue. We have [ ?had] a very long and earnest 

 conversation which ended by his telling me, honestly enough, that he thought 

 the case really hopeless. The conference of the next day proved it so. As 

 to Nov: — Archangelskthey told me that they had no doubt that at the expiration 

 of ten years, the advantages which the establishment would have derived from 

 its having been frequented by foreign Ships would make the Russian Com- 

 panies desire a further extension of time, but that they were frightened at the 

 words for ever. The Points however upon which scarcely any discretion which 

 you could have given me would have brought us to an understanding were, 

 the perpetual freedom of trading and navigating upon the lisière, if by trading 

 was meant trading with the natives — and the opening at all the coast from 

 the 60th degree to Behrings Strait. On the first of these points they contend 

 (Have they not some reason on their side ?) that the cession of a coast in nominal 

 Sovereignty saddled for everlasting with such privileges to foreigners was no 

 cession at all. And as to the second, that they were, by undisputed occupancy 

 and possession as unquestionably Masters of the whole of that coast as of the 

 coasts of Livonia or Courland, and that nobody should come there — sic volunt. 

 I asked whether, by their convention with the United States; the Americans 

 were excluded from visiting these coasts. They answered that such was their 

 idea of the convention whatever might be that of the Americans, and Mr. 

 Poletica told me privately that the Russian Minister at Washington had orders 

 to give if it were necessary, this interpretation to the agreement, and that he 

 thought it probably [ Pprobable] that, upon this very point, the Americans would 

 refuse to ratify — a circumstance which he should not regret. 



As soon as I saw the determination which this Government had taken 

 I affected the utmost indifference on our part as to whether was signed a treaty 

 or not — but it was mere affectation, for I see too well that infinite inconven- 

 ience may arise, and that shortly, from our not having been able, at this particu- 

 lar time, to come to an understanding. I regret it greatly on public grounds 

 and on personal grounds also, as I should like much to have been the person 

 to sign a Treaty of such magnitude and importance and I should have ended my 

 days here handsomely by doing so. But Dies aliter visum est, and I cannot 

 at all see what is now to be done. 



I am, &c 



CHARLES BAGOT 



