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broken off. Upon failing after repeated efforts to obtain any promise of reparation for the insult to the flag, our minister asked for his passports. But through the Spanish envoy at Washington an agreement was reached, whereby the Virginius, with those of her passengers and crew who had escaped the fate of their companions, should be surrendered to an American naval vessel. It was also agreed that, if the Virginius should be found to have the right to sail under United States papers, the flag should be duly saluted at Santiago de Cuba. The ship and passengers were surrendered but, the attorney general having decided that the Virginius was not entitled to be considered an American ship, the salute was not demanded. In the meantime, the Spanish government officially disclaimed any intent of indignity to the flag of the United States.

After more than a year of persistent pressure Spain paid to the United States as a reparation for the killing of passengers and crew of the Virginius the sum of $80,000, which was distributed to the heirs of the victims. Earnest efforts to secure the punishment of General Burriel for his butchery were unavailing, although a thorough investigation by a military tribunal was promised. Far from being punished, he was promoted to be a field marshal.

Other and frequent questions between the two countries have arisen from the peculiar provisions of Spanish customs laws, which, imposing heavy fines for even unintentional infractions, have led to a constant series of complaints. In 1891, under the provisions of the tariff act of October 1, 1890, an arrangement was effected whereby special reductions were made in the duties on certain American products imported into Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The Purchase of Florida.

When Mr. Jefferson opened negotiations with Napoleon

Bonaparte for the purchase of New Orleans he intended only to secure control of the navigation of the Mississippi and the mouth of that river. By the treaty of peace in 1782, by which the independence of the American colonies was acknowledged by Great Britain, the southern boundary of the United States, as recognized by that government and Spain, was a line running from the mouth of the Yazoo River to the Appalachicola. The Spanish colony of Florida was thus separated from that of Mexico, and as the former was principally settled by Englishmen, whose interests were allied to those of the United States, Spain realized that she was destined to lose control by revolution sooner or later, and the revolt of her colonies in South America made the situation more perilous. In fact as early as 1810 a revolutionary party in Florida declared for independence and established a provisional government. They asked admission to the United States, and a loan of money to maintain themselves against the authority of Spain. President Madison declined to grant their requests, but sent a commission to negotiate for the purchase of the Florida territory. Spain refused. In 1812 General Matthews of Georgia was sent to Florida to receive the province if the Spanish authorities would surrender it peacefully. They again refused, and with the concurrence of the Georgia legislature he co-operated with the revolutionists, and defied the Spanish commander. Troubles with the Seminole Indians again broke out, and in 1814 General Andrew Jackson was ordered to undertake their suppression. The Spanish government remonstrated against the occupation of Florida by United States troops, but Mr. Monroe, who had become President, in reply proposed the cession of Florida in lieu of the payment of claims of American citizens against Spain. In 1818 General Jackson took possession of the Spanish forts at Pensacola, and drove out the governor and his garrison.

Spain protested, but the United States justified his action on the ground of military necessity as the Spaniards were ac-cused of giving aid to the Indians.

Negotiations for the purchase of the territory were then resumed, and finally ended in a treaty made by Señor Onis, the Spanish ambassador, and John Quincy Adams, who was secretary of state, signed at Washington, February 22, 1819. The Florida purchase cost the United States $6,489,768, and added to the national domain 59,268 square miles including all of the territory east of the Mississippi River.

CHAPTER XV.

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND THE PURCHASE OF ALASKA.

THE archives of the State Department at Washington show that there has been uninterrupted cordiality between the empire of Russia and the United States since the beginning of our history, and-it may be said that the czar is the only ruler among the great powers of Europe with whom there has not been at one time or another some little friction. Nor have we ever had trouble with a foreign government without receiving from Russia the cordial proffer of her good offices in settling the difficulties. She offered her mediation to terminate the War of 1812, and under her arbitration the difficulties that grew out of the treaty of Ghent were settled in 1822. During the war of the Rebellion we felt more than ever her friendly sentiments, and her solicitude for the preservation of the Union was frequently and sincerely expressed. She furnished no hospitality to rebel cruisers, and no agent of the Confederacy was ever encouraged or permitted to live at St. Petersburg; while on the other hand the ports of Russia were always open to the United States cruisers, which were permitted not only to seek shelter and supplies but to carry there the prizes captured at sea.

In 1861 the two governments agreed to co-operate for the establishment of a telegraph service between San Francisco. and St. Petersburg across Bering Strait. The Russian fleet visited the United States in 1863 as a friendly demonstra

tion to affect the attitude of foreign powers toward this country during our war.

In 1864 the Archduke Constantine received a formal invitation to visit the United States in order that the government might by its courtesies to him, the brother of the emperor, show its gratitude and good will. In 1866, when the emperor of Russia narrowly escaped assassination, Congress, by solemn resolution, conveyed its sympathies and its gratitude to Almighty God for his preservation, and Mr. Fox, at that time the assistant secretary of the navy, was appointed to bear the resolution in person to the emperor, as an additional evidence of the friendly sentiments of this country. He was conveyed to Cronstadt in the monitor Miantonomoh, the most formidable vessel in our navy, and thus a ship of war became a messenger of peace.

The Purchase of Alaska.

Few treaties have ever been negotiated and concluded in so simple a manner as that by which Alaska became a part of the United States. Two brief notes only passed between the governments of Russia and the United States. The first was written by Mr. Seward on the 25th of March, 1867, renewing in formal terms and in a letter of not more than one hundred and fifty words the proposition that had previously been made in conversation for the purchase of the territory. The other communication was even more brief, which it is well to note:

Mr. Secretary of State:

WASHINGTON, March 29, 1867.

I have the honor to inform you that by a telegram dated 28th of this month from St. Petersburg, Prince Gortchakoff informs me that his majesty, the emperor of all the Russias, gives his consent to the cession of the Russian possessions on the American continent to the United States for the stipulated sum of $7,200,000 in gold, and that his majesty, the emperor, invests me with full power to negotiate and sign the treaty. Please

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