THE HUSStAN AMERICAN COMPANY. 11 



a lease for ten years of all its continental territory lying between the 

 soiitliern boundary of the Rnssian possessions in latitude 54° 40' and 

 Cape Spencer, npon an annual rental of 2,000 land -otter skins. At its 

 expiry the lease was renewed for another period of ten years.^ After 

 executing this lease the lioss colony, established in about 1812 on the 

 coast of California, became of less and less value to the Kussians, and 

 in the year 1841 it was given up entirely.^ 



In the month of March, 1841, the Russian Government renewed the 

 charter of the Eussian American Company for a further period of 

 twenty ;years. During this period numerous exploring expeditions con- 

 tinued to be sent out. Furthermore, the Company embarked in some 

 new enterprises. In' conjunction with the American Eussian Commer- 

 cial Company it engaged extensively in the business of shipping ice 

 from Kadiak and Sitka to California, much capitial being invested iu 

 plant of all description. In 185(> the same parties undertook the work- 

 ing of a coal mine at the mouth of Cooks Inlet. This proved very 

 unprofitable, and for many years was a constant drain on the resources 

 of the Eussian American Company. 



Its third charter expired in 18G2 and was not renewed, though it con- 

 tinued to operate under it until 1867, when the Territory of Alaska was 

 ceded to the United States. 



'Tiklimeiiief, vol. i, p. 267. ^See Case, p. 28, note 4. 



