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russia.txt
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1995-11-28
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1867
AMERICAN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
TREATY WITH RUSSIA
Convention between the United States of America and His Majesty
the Emperor of Russia, for the Cession of the Russian Possessions in
North America to the United States, Concluded at Washington, March 30,
1867; Ratification Advised by Senate, April 9, 1867; Ratified by
President, May 28, 1867; Ratifications Exchanged at Washington, June
20, 1867; Proclaimed, June 20, 1867.
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The United States of America and His Majesty the Emperor of all
the Russias, being desirous of strengthening, if possible, the good
understanding which exists between them, have, for that purpose,
appointed as their Plenipotentiaries, the President of the United
States, William H. Seward, Secretary of State; and His Majesty the
Emperor of all the Russias, the Privy Counsellor Edward de Stoeckl,
his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United
States;
And the said Plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their full
powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon and
signed the following articles:
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ARTICLE I
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His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, agrees to cede to the
United States, by this convention, immediately upon the exchange of
the ratifications thereof, all the territory and dominion now
possessed by his said Majesty on the continent of America and in
adjacent islands, the same being contained within the geographical
limits herein set forth, to wit: The eastern limit is the line of
demarcation between the Russian and the British possessions in North
America, as established by the convention between Russia and Great
Britain, of February 28-16, 1825, and described in Articles III and IV
of said convention, in the following terms:
"III Commencing from the southernmost point of the island called
Prince of Wales Island, which point lies in the parallel of 54 degrees
40 minutes north latitude, and between the 131st and 133d degree of
west longitude (meridian of Greenwich), the said line shall ascend
to the north along the channel called Portland Channel, as far as
the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th degree of north
latitude; 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 141st degree of west
longitude (of the same meridian); and finally, from the said point
of intersection, the said meridian line of the 141st 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-
"1st That the island called Prince of Wales Island shall belong
wholly to Russia" (now, by this cession to the United States"
"2d That whenever the summit of the mountains which extend in a
direction parallel to the coast, from the 56th degree of north
latitude to the point of intersection of the 141st 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 Russia 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 conveyed
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
Noonarbook, 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 southwesterly direction, as to pass midway between
the island of Attou and the Copper Island of the Kormandorski
coupler 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.
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ARTICLE II
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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,
barracks, and other edifices which are not private individual
property. It is, however, understood 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 now be existing there,
will be left 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.
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ARTICLE III
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The inhabitants of the ceded territory, according to their choice,
reserving their natural allegiance, may return to Russia within
three years; but if they 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 Statesmay from time to time
adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country.
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ARTICLE IV
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His Majesty, the Emperor of all the Russias, shall appoint, with
convenient despatch, an agent or agents for the purpose of formally
delivering to a similar agent or agents, appointed on behalf of the
United States, the territory, dominion, property, dependencies, and
appurtenances which are ceded as above, and for doing any other act
which may be necessary in regard thereto. But the cession, with the
right of immediate possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete
and absolute on the exchange of ratifications, without waiting for
such formal delivery.
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ARTICLE V
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Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this
convention, any fortifications or military posts which may be in the
ceded territory shall be delivered to, the agent of the United States,
and any Russian troops which may be in the territory shall be
withdrawn as soon as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable.
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ARTICLE VI
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In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree
to pay at the Treasury in Washington, within ten months after the
exchange of the ratifications of this convention, to the diplomatic
representative or other agent of His Majesty the Emperor of all the
Russias, duly authorized to receive the same, seven million two
hundred thousand dollars in gold. The cession of territory and
dominion herein made is hereby declared to be free and unincumbered by
any reservations, 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 privileges now belonging to Russia in the said
territory or dominion, and appurtenances thereto.
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ARTICLE VII
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When this convention shall have been duly ratified by the President,
of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, on the one part, and, on the other, by His Majesty the Emperor
of all the Russias, the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington
within three months from the date thereof, or sooner if possible.
In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this
convention, and thereto affixed the seals of their arms.
Done at Washington, the thirtieth day of March, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
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WILLIAM H. SEWARD [L. S.]
EDOUARD DE STOECKL [L. S.]