UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA, 1867. 45 



derstood and agreed, that the churches which have been built in the 

 ceded territory by the Russian 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 be left in the possession of the agent of 

 the United States ; but an authenticated copy of such of them as may 

 be required, will be, at all times, given by the United 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, re- 

 serving their natural allegiance, may return to Russia within three 

 years; but if tliey should prefer 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 immunities 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 be subject to such laws and regulations as the United States may, 

 from time to time, adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country. 



Article IY. 



His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias shall appoint, with con- 

 venient despatcli, an agent or agents for the purpose of formally deliv- 

 ering to a similar agent or agents appointed on behalf of the United 

 States, the territory, dominion, property, dependencies, and appurte- 

 nances which are ceded as above, and for doing any other act Avhich 

 may be necessary in regard thereto. But the cession, with the right of 

 immediate possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete and abso- 

 lute on the exchange of ratifications, without waiting for such formal 

 delivery. 



Article V. 



Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this conven- 

 tion, any fortifications or military posts which may be in the ceded ter- 

 ritory shall be delivered to the agent of the United States, and any Rus- 

 sian trooi)S which may be in the territory shall be withdrawn as soon 

 as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable. 



Article VI. 



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

 pay at the Treasury in Washington, within ten months after the ex- 

 change of the ratifications of this convention, to the diplomatic repre- 

 sentative or other agent of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, 

 duly authorized to receive the same, seven million two hundred thou- 

 sand dollars in gold. The cession of territory and dominion herein 

 made is hereby declared to be free and unincumbered by any reserva- 

 tions, privileges, franchises, grants, or possessions, by any associated 

 companies, whether corporate or incorporate, Russian or any other, or 

 by any parties, except merely private individual property holders ; and 

 the cession hereby made, conveys all the rights, franchises, and priv- 

 ileges now belonging to Russia in the said territory or dominion, and 

 appurtenances thereto. 



