March 30, 1867
Treaty concerning the Cession of the Russian Possessions in North America by his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias to the United States of America;
Concluded March 30, 1867;
Ratified by the United States May 28, 1867;
Exchanged June 20, 1867;
Proclaimed by the United States June 20, 1867.
Whereas a treaty between the United States of America and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias was concluded and signed by their respective plenipotentiaries at the city of Washington, on the thirtieth day of March, last, which treaty, being in English and French languages, is, word for word as follows:
(the French version is omitted for brevity)
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 Councillor 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:
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 the 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:
"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 the 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 south-westerly 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.
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 be now 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 unencumbered 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.
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 hereof, 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.
[L. S.] WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
[L. S.] EDOUARD DE STOECKL.
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And whereas the said Treaty has been duly ratified on both parts, and the respective ratifications of the same were exchanged at Washington on this twentieth day of June, by William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, and the Privy Counsellor Edward de Stoeckl, the Envoy Extraordinary of His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, on the part of their respective governments, Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States of America, have caused the said Treaty to be made public, to the end that the same and every clause and article thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused
the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this twentieth day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, and of the
Independence of the United States the ninety-first.
[L.S.] ANDREW JOHNSON
By the President:
William H Seward, Secretary of State