Sale and transfer of Alaska

Contract signing has taken place on March, 30th, 1867 in Washington. The contract has been signed in English and French languages ("diplomatic" languages), the official text of the contract in Russian doesn't exist. Transaction cost has made 7,2 million dollars gold (at the rate of 2009 — about 108 million dollars gold) [2]. To the USA passed all peninsula Alaska (on a line which are passing on a meridian 141 ° з.д.) A shore in width in 10 miles to the south of Alaska along western coasts British Colombia; Alexander archipelago; the Aleutian islands with island Attu; Near islands, Krysi, Fox, Andrejanovsky, Shumagina, Triniti, Umnak, Unimak, Kadiak, Chirikova, Afognak and other smaller islands; islands in Bering sea: St. Lavrentija, St. Matveja, Nunivak and islands Pribylova — St. George and St. Pavel. The general size of the sold overland territory has made about 1 519 000 km ², hence, for square kilometer, that is — on 1,9 cents 73 cents have been paid for an acre on 4 dollars. Together with territory all real estate, all colonial archives, the official and historical documents concerning transferred territories was transferred to the United States.

According to usual procedure the contract has been transferred in the Congress. As congress session has ended just this day, the president has called extreme executive session of the Senate.

The destiny of the contract has appeared in hands of members of senatorial committee on foreign affairs. Into committee structure at that time entered: Charles Samner from Massachusetts — the chairman, Sajmon Kameron from Pennsylvania, William Fessenden from Maine, James Harlan from Iowa, Oliver Morton from Indiana, James Paterson from New Hampshire, Reverdi Johnson from Maryland. That is, to solve a question on territory joining in which Pacific states first of all have been interested, it was necessary to representatives of the Northeast.

The senate of the USA, in the name of committee on foreign affairs, stated doubts in expediency of so burdensome acquisition, especially in conditions when in the country civil war has just ended. Doubts expressed also because payment passed non-cash dollars, instead of gold, and not into accounts of the Ministry of Finance of Russia, and into the account of the private person (Стекля) that contradicted treaty provisions. Nevertheless, the transaction has been supported in the Senate by 37 voices, at two voices against (it were Fessenden and Justin Morril from Vermont). On May, 3rd the contract has been ratified. On June, 8th in Washington the exchange of instruments of ratification has taken place. Further according to the established order the contract has been printed, and then included in official meeting of laws of the Russian empire.

On October, 18th 1867 Alaska has officially been transferred the USA. From Russia the report on transfer was signed by the special governmental commissioner, the captain of 2nd rank A.A.Peshchurov.

The same day the Gregorian calendar operating in the USA has been entered. Thus, inhabitants of Alaska have gone to bed on October, 5th, and have woken up on October, 18th.

The decision on the assignment, provided by the contract, was accepted the House of Representatives of the Congress of the USA after a year, 113 voices against 48. On August, 1st 1868 Stekl were received from exchequer by the check, but not on gold, and on exchequer bonds. Of 7 million 35 thousand dollars it has translated the sum to London, in bank of brothers Baringov. The others of 165 thousand have made [a source isn't specified 309 days] an overhead charge (including 21 thousand — compensation of Steklju from the government).

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 571