922 



point of tlie continent where it strikes the 56*^^ degree of north lati- 

 tude; from this last mentioned point, the line of demarcation shall 

 follow the summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast as 

 far as the point of intersection of the 141^*^ degree of west longitude, 

 (of the same meridian;) and finally, from the said point of intersec- 

 tion, the said meridian line of the 141^*^ degree, in its prolongation as 

 far as the Frozen ocean. 



"IV. With reference to the line of demarcation laid down in the 

 preceding article, it is understood — 



"^st That the island called Prince of Wales Island shall belong 

 wholly to Russia," (now, by this cession, to the United States.) 



"2*^. That whenever the summit of the mountains which extend in 

 a direction parallel to the coast from the 56**" degree of north latitude 

 to the point of intersection of the 141^*^ degree of west longitude shall 

 prove to be at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from the 

 ocean, the limit between the British possessions and the line of coast 

 which is to belong to Eussia as above mentioned (that is to say, the 

 limit to the possessions ceded by this convention) shall be formed by 

 a line parallel to the winding of the coast, and which shall never 

 exceed the distance of ten marine leagues therefrom." 



The western limit within which the territories and dominion con- 

 veyed, are contained, passes through a point in Behring's straits on 

 the parallel of sixty-five degrees thirty minutes north latitude, at its 

 intersection by the meridian which passes midway between the islands 

 of Krusenstern, or Ignalook, and the island of Ratmanoff , or Noonar- 

 book, and proceeds due north, without limitation, into the same 

 Frozen Ocean. The same western limit, beginning at the same initial 

 point, proceeds thence in a course nearly southwest, through Behring's 

 straits and Behring's sea, so as to pass midway between the northwest 

 point of the island of St. Lawrence and the southeast point of Cape 

 Choukotski, to the meridian of one hundred and seventy- two west 

 longitude ; thence, from the intersection of that meridian, in a south- 

 westerly direction, so as to pass midway between the island of Attou 

 and the Copper island of the Kormandorski couplet or group, in the 

 North Pacific ocean, to the meridian of one hundred and ninety-three 

 degrees west longitude, so as to include in the territory conveyed the 

 whole of the Aleutian islands east of that meridian. 



Article II 



In the cession of territory and dominion made by the preceding 

 article, are included the right of property in all public lots and 

 squares, vacant lands, and all public buildings, fortifications, bar- 

 racks, and other edifices which are not private individual property. 

 It is, however, understood and agTeed, that the churches which have 

 been built in th^ 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 now be existing there, will be left 

 in the possession of the agent of the United States, but an authenti- 



