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Alaska
Purchase
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;
Ratification 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
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 of 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, 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. |
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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, barracks,
and other edifies 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 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. |
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Article III
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 States may from
time to time adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country. |
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Article IV
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
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
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
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.
William H. Seward [L. S.]
Edward de Stoeckl [L. S.]
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