Arctic & Northern History
Treaty of Cession
15 Stat. 539
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.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
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 the English and
French languages, is, word for word, as follows:
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:
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 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:
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 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.)
"2nd. 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 Inaglook, 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
[SEAL]
WILLIAM H. SEWARD
[SEAL]
EDOUARD DE STOECKL
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.
[SEAL]
ANDREW JOHNSON
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State
