THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COMPANY. 67 



pirntioTi of n fcAv short years avo have the legal poAver to entirely pro- 

 hibit tradiii.i;' and lishinf? in tliat region. 



The Emperor has deigned to apj>rove the articles of the convention 

 by Avhich the denniuds and interests of both contracting parties have 

 been considered as much as possible. A close scrutiny of this conven 

 tion must lead to the conclusion that under its i)rovisions our Colonies 

 Avill acquire new strength. This act may be looked upon as the begin- 

 ning of the political existence and safety of the Colonies, since tlieir 

 relation to foreign powers has been for the first time acknowledged and 

 made patent to the world. The importance of this is evident, and the 

 members of your board will doubtless realize to its fullest extent this 

 new great l)euefit bestowed upon them by their Highest Protector, who, 

 never losing sight of the true interests of his beloved subjects, has thus 

 by a stroke of his pen lixed their honorable status not only Avithin his 

 oAvn dominions, but also in the eyes of all foreign powers, and started 

 you in the race of prosperity with all other nations of the civilized 

 Avorld. 



I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect and AA-ith the best 

 intentions. 



Your humble servant, 



Count Nesselkode.' 



No. 13. 



Letter from the Minister of Finanee to the Board of AilmmiHtration of tlie 

 Kuasian American Company. Written from St. Fetersbunj, tSeptcniher 

 4, 1824. 



The letter transmitted to me on the 12th of June by the directors of 

 the Company, containing their remarks on the possible consequences of 

 the convention cor'cluded on the 5th of April, of this year, between our 

 Court and the North American llepublic, I have submitted to the 

 Minister of Foreign Affairs in the original. I \\'a\q. uoav received from 

 him in reply a copy of the proceedings of a special committee appointed 

 to consider the subject. The j)roceedings of this committee haA^e re- 

 ceived the most gracious approval of His Imperial Majesty, and I am 

 noAv authorized to lay before the board of administration a copy of these 

 proceedings, together Avith an accompanying letter from Count Nessel- 

 rode, dated July 21 of this year; all of AA'hich I trust Avill prove satis- 

 factory to the board of managers and shareholders of the Company. 



From these docuiuents the board of administration Avill ascertain 

 that the Company's representations have met Avitii due consideration, 

 and that instructions have already been forwarded to the Imperial Am- 

 bassador at Washington to the eifect that the extent of coast thrown 

 open to subjects of the North American States for the purpose of trade 

 and fishery is limited in the south by latitude 54° 1:0' North, and in the 

 north by the Bay of Yakutat (or Bering Bay). At the same time I am 

 authorized to state that it is the intention of His JNIajesty the Emperor 

 to afford full protection to the Company's interests in the pursuit and 

 catch of fur-seals, sea-otter, and all other marine animals. 



Lieutenant-General Kankrin, 



Minister of Finance. 

 y. Drushinin, 



Director 



