The Russian government has already commenced a system of colonization both from Europe and Siberia, and is actively engaged in fortifying its approaches seaward, and in planting military posts and opening post-roads in order to protect the frontier, and afford facilities for certain and rapid overland communication at all seasons of the year.

The demand for foreign commerce is, of course, restricted to mere necessity, and to the actual population of the coasts and borders of the river, because, as yet, steam has not succeeded in presenting to the upper and distant populations stores of merchandise to save them the necessity of the overland, European, and Chinese supply.

This country is rich in fur animals, the rivers abound in fish, and gold is found in the mountains to the north of the Amoor. The forests, both upon the Upper and Lower Amoor, are fair and abundant, with ample resources for naval stores, and timber for all economic purposes.

The island of Sak-ha-lin, opposite the mouth of the Amoor, abounds in extensive deposits of coal for steam-vessels, accessible and always worked by the Russian government.

The steady and onward progress of the present Emperor of Russia, Alexander II, in ameliorating the condition of his people, and in encouraging internal commerce and communication, will open a vast field to American enterprise and

commerce.

The Mouravieff-Igoon convention, ratified by the Ignatieff-Pekin treaty, has annihilated all of those ancient border restrictions against free intercourse between the Chinese and Russians.

Under this treaty, merchants and traders may freely cross the frontier and establish themselves in such towns and cities as they choose, the police authorities being specially directed to protect them.

This liberal policy will give great stimulus to the Siberian and Amoor merchants, and must lead to the introduction of European and American merchandise and manufactures into the interior of the whole length and breadth of Tartary.

We have also a recent ukase of the Emperor, granting to foreigners equal privileges with the native Russian merchants in all parts of the empire. This ukase will explain itself, is one of great liberality, and must lead to most important results, opening, as it does, this vast empire to the merchants and bankers of the world.

On the 7th-19th July, 1860, the Emperor addressed to the senate the following ukase:

"The imperial manifest of the 1st January, 1807, has set certain restrictions to the commercial rights of foreigners established either permanently or temporarily in Russia. Now, with the improvements introduced in the means of communication, and the rapid development of the international commercial relations, said restrictions do not agree any longer with the necessities of the present times. On the other hand, the principal European powers allow our subjects, as in general to all foreigners, to carry on commerce in their countries on the same terms as their own subjects.

"Taking into consideration the useful influence that would result to all branches of public wealth by an extension granted to the facility of profiting by use of foreign capital in all kinds of enterprises, and desirous to give, at the same time, a new proof of our particular solicitude for the general prosperity of trade, agriculture, and of industry in the empire, and show, at the same time, a just reciprocity towards foreign powers, we have thought proper to grant, in this respect, to foreigners residing in Russia the same rights as our subjects enjoy amongst the principal European nations.

"Consequently, and in accordance with the opinion of the council of the empire, we decree:

H. Ex. Doc. 63-23

"1st. It is allowed to foreigners to inscribe themselves in all the guilds of merchants in like manner as the subjects of the empire, and to enjoy all the commercial rights that those guilds give to Russian merchants.—(Art. 77, à 107 du reglement sur le commerce, tome, xi, du corps des Lois, de 1857.)

"First observation.-The foreign Israelite subjects, known by their social position and by the great extent of their commerce, who arrive from abroad, can, according to the order established-that is to say, on a special authorization each time by the ministers of finance, of the interior, and of foreign affairs— trade in the empire, and establish banking-houses, on procuring a license of merchant of first guild. It is also allowed them to establish factories, buy and take on lease real estate, according to the resolution of the present ukase.

Second observation.--The commercial rights granted to Asiatics are resolved by the articles 327 to 233 of the commercial regulations.-(Tome xi, corps des Lois, edition de 1857.)

"2d. The safety of the domicil and of the magazines of foreigners, as well as of the lands that appertain to them, are placed under the protection of the common law; no search can be made in their dwellings, nor in their commercial books, but in accordance to the regulations prescribed in such cases to Russian subjects of the same condition.

3d. Foreigners can acquire-be it by purchase, be it by inheritance, legacy, donation, concession of the crown, &c.-all kinds of movable and immovable property, with the exception, however, of that which the hereditary Russian nobility and foreigners who have obtained the right can alone possess in virtue of laws in force.

"4th. Foreigners, with the exception of Israelites, can direct, under title of clerk, inhabited lands, if they have the procuration to that effect. It is also allowed them farms, according to agreements allowed by the laws, real estate occupied, and of any other kind, inhabited or not, by conforming only to the condition and restriction imposed upon the subjects of the empire.-(Code Civil, livre iv, cest. iii, ch. 2.)

"The senate will take the necessary measures for the execution of the present.

"ALEXANDRE."

WASHINGTON, June 10, 1862.

I beg leave to call the attention of the Department of State to an important and accelerated mode of communication with China and the east, viz: “The Russian overland post and telegraph" route to Pekin.

By this route communication can be had with our minister at Pekin, China, and through him with our diplomatic and consular agents in Japan and the whole of China, much more speedily than by way of Suez and the British line of oriental steam navigation to India and China. I called the attention of the department some years since to the rapid mode of communication which the Russian government had established overland from St. Petersburg to Pekin. Even then, in 1856-'57, couriers passed from St. Petersburg to Pekin in about thirty to thirty-five days, and in one instance the whole distance was accomplished in twenty-seven days. I rode over this route myself as far as Kyachta in twenty-nine days, and at the same rate of travel could have reached Pekin in about thirty-eight days. Now, since the telegraph has crossed the Ural mountains and penetrated into Siberia, the time has been reduced to some eighteen to twenty-two days; consequently, in case of necessity, a despatch could be forwarded from the department, via London and St. Petersburg, to Pekin in about twenty-eight to thirty-four days, viz: usual mode, Washington to London,

ten to twelve days; London to our minister at St. Petersburg, by telegraph, say one day; St. Petersburg to Omsk or Zuman, in Siberia, say one day; Zuman or Omsk, by Russian post or courier to Rynchia, on the border of Mongolia, eight to ten days; from Ryachia to Pekin, by Russo-Chinese post or courier, in nine to ten days. But it is not necessary to give two days for telegraphic communication from London to Zuman or Omsk; consequently we have, as the extremes between Washington and Pekin, twenty-seven to thirty-four days. This schedule will be diminished, from time to time, as the Siberian telegraph penetrates further east, now in course of construction on the route to Irkoutsk and Ryachia. When the line reaches Ryachia, as it is proposed, in 1864 the time of transmission will be reduced, from London to Pekin, to about nine days; in fact, special courier or pony express, as under our overland system before the Pacific telegraph was constructed, would reduce the schedule to six days.

NICOLAIVSKY, AMOOR RIVER, October 31, 1862.

The emigration under the patronage of the Russian government is still going to the Amoor, but not quite so vigorously as for two or three years past. There is always some opposition in Petersburg to projects in regard to the Amoor. Up to the close of navigation last year twenty-six thousand five hundred (26,500) crown peasants and Siberian cossacks had emigrated to the Amoor. This year the number will be increased to thirty thousand, (30,000.) These emigrants have all gone with their horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, agricultural, hunting, and fishing implements. The government furnishes them with subsistence in the form of rations for two years, land free, and no taxation for seventeen years. The settlements along the course of the Amoor are so continuous that transportation and postal service is maintained during the winter along the whole course of the river, and connects with the Siberian posts at Ouse Strelka, so as to form an uninterrupted communication from the mouth of the Amoor to St. Petersburg, a distance of some ten thousand versts, six thousand six hundred and sixty-six (6,666) miles. Settlements have also been established along the whole course of the Ousuree river and Lake Haika, and on the seacoast at Vladimir Vastok, to the northern border of Corea, near latitude 42 north.

The Ousuree is described as a fine stream, navigable into the Lake Haika, with four (4) feet of water, excellent land, good timber, and climate favorable to agriculture; fish and game in abundance.

The governor of Nicolaivsky was to have sent the first expedition to the Sangaree last summer, consisting of two or three steamers, but no report has yet reached this office whether successful or not.

The Sangaree belongs wholly to Manchooria; but by the Mouravieff-Igoon treaty, navigation and trade were guaranteed to Russia on this river. The Sangaree penetrates the very heart of Manchooria; and the opening of steam navigation upon it is most important, and must finally be attended with important results to the commerce of the Amoor.

A steamer reached Nevchiusk last year, which is within some three hundred versts of Cheta, the head, as I thought, of steam navigation, and near two thousand three hundred (2,300) miles from the entrance of the Amoor into the Pacific ocean, (Straits of Tartary.)

Henceforth the Amoor and its trans-Baikalien affluent, the Shilka, must be admitted as among the great navigable streams of the world, and steam navigation as practically established from the Pacific ocean into Siberia. This is a result worthy of historical record, and vast results must inevitably sooner or later follow in its train.

Steam navigation, once established as a practical fact upon a river in these days, is not likely to go backward, particularly where it touches a large popu lation, however primitive, and little known to extra-territorial commerce hereto

fore.

Thus the vast extent of country around Lake Baikal, much of Mongolia, all of Eastern Siberia west of Yakoutsk, a portion of Sangaria and Manchooria, are united to the commerce of the Pacific through the Amoor. A population of ten to fifteen millions of people must have something to exchange, though primitive and their wants few. The presentation of luxuries at their doors and new commodities will stimulate them to activity. Their numerous flocks and herds, their rich mines, and even vegetable productions, the forest, the chase, and their fish, must give exchange, and produce commerce.

The telegraph beyond Omsk is being pushed on; it is under contract, and in course of construction towards Irkoutsk, and proposes to be finished to that point before the close of next year. It has been concluded to carry the line around the southern end of Lake Baikal and reach Kyachta and Miamaltochin without using any submerged cable to cross Baikal. The roadway for the telegraph is now being opened around the lake. * *

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Eighteen vessels of all nations entered the Amoor last year, and three hundred barges or flatboats, with five to six hundred rafts, descended the Amoor out of the Shilka and Argoon, carrying emigrants, cattle, horses, provisions, &c., &c. A portion of the emigration was from Little Russia, rich crown peasants, who were two years on the road before reaching the Amoor, with their own stock, wagons, &c.

The governor general of Eastern Siberia proposes to send an agent to the United States to engage the emigration of five thousand of sclavie origin, who may be found willing to occupy the Ousuree river country. This emigration is to be denominated the American sclavic emigration. They will have special privileges, a section of country to themselves, all expenses paid, rations for two years, land, cattle, horses, sheep, farming implements, and freedom from local or other taxation.

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The plan is a sagacious one; it would give to Russia, in a region much like our country bordering on Canada, a population touched by American quickness, agricultural and mechanical ideas, and who would, with the axe, the saw, the plough, and that other implement, not exactly agricultural or mechanical, the rifle, fence strongly against the more southern Manchoos and the jealous Coreans. The waters of Lake Henka and coast of Tartary, adjacent to Vladimir Vastok, may become a shipbuilding station, for Russian Pacific purposes. It would be a curious incident in the sclavic conquest of Tartary "this Ameri ican sclavic emigration" to the Ousurce and coast of Tartary. It may be accomplished if Russia wills.

GALATZ.-W. W. THOMAS, Jr., Vice-Consul.

NOVEMBER 2S, 1862.

I have the honor of forwarding to the department six enclosures, containing information relative to the commerce and navigation of the Danube.

The enclosures were obtained by me, this day, through the politeness of the "European Commission of the Danube." Enclosures Nos. 1, 2, and 3, I deem of importance to captains purposing to trade in the Danube.

Enclosures Nos. 4, 5, and 6, will be found to contain interesting commercial information. I have the honor to direct the attention of the department to ar

ticle 4, enclosure No. 3, where it is stated that vessels not obeying the rules laid down in article 2 of the same enclosure will be liable to a fine of fifty ducats of Holland, after January 1, 1863. In enclosure No. 4 it will be seen that the tonnage of America on the Danube in 1861 was less than Austria, Great Britain, Greece, Ionian Isles, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and Wallachia, but greater than Denmark, France, with Rome and Jerusalem, Hanover, Holland, Mecklenburg, Moldavia, Norway, Oldenburg, Portugal, Prussia, Samos, Servia, Sweden, and Hanseatic and free cities.

In this list of the shipping of twenty-three nations trading in the Danube America stands the ninth, and there are fourteen European flags unfurled on the river, not one of which covers as much tonnage as the stars and stripes.

Even Russia, "the mistress of the Black sea," whose empire almost joins the Danube, exceeds America by less than 600 tons.

The number of American vessels visiting the Danube in 1861 was nineteen. The Soulina roads, mentioned in enclosure No. 6, is an anchorage outside the bar at the Soulina mouth of the river; vessels loading there pay no fees to the Danube commission. Two American vessels loaded at Soulina in 1861, four have loaded there up to date this year. Beside this, all vessels taking in cargoes at Galatz pass Soulina both going and coming. * * *

Rules relative to the control of the operation of the "treasury of navigation of the Soulina."

"The European Commission of the Danube," in order to insure à clear understanding and efficient control of the rights of navigation established by the tariff of the 25th July, 1860, executed in article 16 of the treaty of Paris of March 30, 1860, have made the following rules:

ARTICLE 1. The captain or commander of any sea-going vessel, of whatever capacity it may be, is required, immediately after entering the Danube, to present his papers to the responsible agent of the treasury of navigation of Soulina. The agent enters in a register intended for the purpose the name, nationality, and tonnage of the vessel, the nature and quantity of the cargo, or if it has entered in ballast, and the name of the captain or commander.

The vessels are entered, year by year, under a single series of numbers. ARTICLE 2. The agent affixes to the "ship's papers" of each vessel entering the Danube a stamp bearing the following words: "European Commission of the Danube, Treasury of Navigation of Soulina," the date of the year, and the number under which the vessel has been registered, as referred to in the previous article.

ARTICLE 3. The ship's papers are presented to the authorized agent, on the departure of the vessel, the stamp affixed in accordance with article 2 is cancelled by the imprint of a "cross stamp," and the number of the receipt delivered to the captain, if it is a question of a vessel of less than 30 tons, it is registered in conformity with article 1.

ARTICLE 4. Any sea-going vessel found in the Danube, whose papers do not bear the stamp referred to in article 2, or do not bear one or more cancelled stamps, will be liable to a fine of 50 Holland ducats.

ARTICLE 5. The decree of fine is pronounced either by the inspector general of navigation, or by the captain of the port of Soulina. These two officials can, at any time, demand the production of the papers of any vessel found in the Danube. The sum of fines is deposited in the treasury of navigation of Soulina. before the departure of the vessel; in case of payment under protest, the fine is. deposited in the treasury.