line from the parallel of 540 40' (which as far as the point of the continent where it marks the southern extremity of Prince of strikes the 56th degree of north latitude; from Wales Island) up Portland Channel to the this last mentioned point the line of demarkation "highlands," this body of water, under the shall follow the summit of the mountains, situated parallel to the coast as far as the point of intersec newer name, " Portland Canal," is, by the tion of the 141st degree of longitude (or of the unique interpretation, conveyed to another same meridian ); and finally from [it] along the said position heretofore occupied by Clarence meridian line of the 141st degree in its prolonga Strait, separating Prince of WalCs Island from tion, as far as the Frozen Ocean.' another large island lying between it and the "'IV. 1st, ... that the island called the mainland. But the strait is terminated at Prince of Wales Island shall belong wholly to Russia • the north by a cross channel, on the other (now, by this cession, to the United States). "' 2. That whenever the summit of the moun side of which an inlet, which may be con sidered a continuation of the strait, runs tains which extend in a direction parallel to the northward into the middle of an island, coast from the 56th degree of north latitude to where it ends. How a line of highlands is the point of intersection of the 141st degree of to be reached from this insular terminal is a I west longitude shall prove to be at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the question in topography which would puzzle limit between the British possessions and the line the most ingenious of engineers. Further of coast which is to belong to Russia as above more, the treaties say that where any such mentioned ( that is to say, the limit to the posses crest cannot be found, the line shall be kept sions ceded by this convention ) shall be formed at a distance often leagues (thirty miles) from by a line parallel to the winding of the coast, and the coast, — inland, or out to sea? Plainly which shall never exceed the distance of ten the line lies thirty miles inland from the coast, marine leagues therefrom.'" '"Article VI. [Mention is here made of the sum except when it follows the crest of certain to be paid by the United States to Russia for definite lines of highlands within that limit. Alaska.] The cession of territory and dominion Has it ever been the usage to regard the herein made is hereby declared to be free and islands in the vicinity of a territory as the unincumbered by any reservations, privileges, coast of that territory? If Russia still owned franchises, grants or possessions, by any associated the islands fringing the Alaskan coast, companies, whether corporate or incorporate, would they be regarded as forming the Russian or any other, or by any parties, except coast of a section of the United States? merely private individual property- holders; and In an article of the treaty by which the cession hereby made conveys all the rights, Alaska was transferred, it is declared that franchises, and privileges now belonging to Russia "the eastern limit is the line of demarkation in the said territory and dominion and appurte nances thereto.'" between the Russian and the British posses sions in North America, as established by the Secretary Seward, in a note to the Russian convention between Russia and Great Britain minister, pending the consideration of the of February 28— 16 (old and new style), 1825, treaty by the President, informs him that he and described in Articles III and IV of said must especially insist upon what was made convention, in the following terms: — the last clause, and must regard it as an ultimatum. The $200,000 addition to the "' Commencing from the southernmost point of the island called Prince of Wales Island, which price named at the beginning of the nego point lies in the parallel of 54 degrees 40 minutes tiations was in consequence of the provisions north latitude, and between the 131st and the of this clause, — which procured the extin 133d degrees of west longitude (merirlian of guishment of the leases to the Russian and Greenwich), the said line shall ascend to the British fur companies, and all others. north along the channel called Portland Channel, A report from London at the last of
