an immense nursery for rearing a grand commerce oh the north¬ 
west coast. The venerable statesman who has accomplished 
that grand consummation, has also in his turn been one of the 
“best abused men in America,” but “Time, that makes all 
things even,” has already proved the immense value of u Time’s 
noblest offspring.” The illustrious secretary has been spared to 
see with his own eyes the rich domain which his energy and 
patriotism acquired; he has left his footprints on the north-west 
coast, where his praises will be chanted by unborn generations 
as “ one of the few, the immortal names, not born to die.” In 
acquiring Alaska we obtained the key to Behring sea and the 
Arctic ocean, with all the rich treasures reveling in those waters. 
We have, in addition, gained a permanent footing in eastern 
Asia, and opened the unlimited resources around those shores 
to our industry. 
Siberia, extending from the parallel of 50° to 70° north, 
with its sounds, gulfs, bays and coves, draining large rivers, 
and fringed with the Saghalien, Kurile, Copper, Behring and 
other islands, besides the unexplored coast extending from East 
Cape northwestward, is now opened to American enterprise. 
Those shores, washed with the warm stream from Japan, having 
a high thermal temperature, teem with cod, salmon, otter, seal, 
walrus and great whales. The coast margining those waters is 
reported rich in minerals — diamonds, gold, silver and the baser 
metals. Furs are abundant, some of which are very fine and 
valuable. Siberian sables are trapped on that coast, and com¬ 
mands fabulous prices; ermine and other fine furs are also ob¬ 
tained. The most favored cod grounds are located between the 
parallels of 52° and 55° north, where very solid fish are taken ; 
vessels from San Francisco make annual trips to those waters 
with profitable results. Silver salmon are found abundantly in 
the rivers; cattle, pigs, dogs and wild beasts take them for food ; 
they are lean and poor, owing to the warmth of the water. 
Seals congregate along the coast, some favored rookeries being 
found among the Kerule islands, to which the seal hunters resort 
annually. This coast has, from time immemorial, been a most 
genial resort for the walrus; they are taken in great numbers 
by the whalers, and also by the Esquimaux for food. “ When 
Kotzebue was at anchor on the north side of East Cape, thous¬ 
ands of walrus played around his ship and roared like oxen; 
among them appeared several whales.”--* Davidson. 
