sympathy with England in the struggle in which she is engaged, and their remembrance of the fact that Englishmen and Americans spring from one noble stock, and are members of the same great family. This is as it should be; and we are certain that should disgrace ever sully the English flag, or any calamity fall on the English nation, a deep and general grief would be felt by our half-brethren on the shores of Columbia. Yet the following account of

bert's corps in Transylvania entered Wallachia on the 20th of August; and it was stated that three other brigades of General Coronini's army were preparing for a similar movement into Moldavia. Many said that, by so doing, Austria had acted up to her engagements at last, and that she was fully prepared to act with the allies against the czar. But there were others who did not take quite so favourable a view of the matter. These said that Austria was acting treacherously; that there was a secret understand- the mission which the Emperor Nicholas ing between her and the court of St. Petersburg; and that she had merely sent her troops into Wallachia to shield the Russians from the advance of the victorious Turks!

entrusted with the American, Dr. Cottman, to the government of his native country, looks as if an ungenerous and petty feeling against England yet lingered in the minds of some of our transatlantic friends. We must be careful, however, not to charge upon a great nation the folly or prejudices of individuals; and we should do well to reflect that Dr. Cottman, while sneering so bitterly at England, was dazzled by the magnificence he beheld in Russia, and that his judgment had been taken captive by the artful condescensions and flatteries of the czar.

are

Before the above-named conditions were sent to St. Petersburg, the Russians had even informed the Austrian government that they should recross the Pruth in five places, and march at once into the interior, instead of remaining on the frontiers. The hidden meaning of this polite intimation was, that they should concentrate their troops, and direct them against the allies in the Crimea, whenever the anticipated attack But to the circumstance we have to reon that place should be made. On the 2nd late:-" Dr. Thomas Cottman," we of August the Russians commenced their informed by the New York Herald, "was retrograde passage of the Pruth, by recross-born in Maryland, and is now (1854) about ing at Liptschain, Skulani, Leuschein, Leova, and Volena. The removal of their sick and wounded from Bucharest is described to have been a pitiable spectacle. In the excitement of hurry, scarcely any attention was paid to the complaints and cries of the sufferers. One officer died while the men were lifting him into the waggon, and one of the head physicians, in the height of delirium from typhus fever, was huddled into a waggon with the other patients. The humbled Prince Gortschakoff appealed to the humanity of the inhabitants to show compassion to the poor fellows he was obliged to leave behind him. He referred to the kindness which had been extended to the wounded and prisoners of the crew of the Tiger at Odessa; and added, that he also had always acted humanely towards the sick and wounded who had fallen into his hands.

forty years of age. He moved to Louisiana in 1830, where he has occasionally practised medicine, and was elected to the legislature. He still owns a plantation there, and a large number of slaves. In 1853, he went to Europe for the purpose of placing his daughter in a boarding-school at Paris; and while there he determined to visit the different countries, and investigate for his own satisfaction the merits of the present difficulty between the belligerent powers. In the course of his travels he went to St. Petersburg, where he had an interview with the czar, who treated him in the most friendly manner, and offered him every facility in his power. The better to assist him in making his tour of observation through his dominions, the czar gave him an imperial order to all the institutions and places of note in the country. With this order he visited Cronstadt, where he remained six We must now request the attention of weeks with General Dehn, the commanderour readers to an event of a very different in-chief of the northern division of the character. We believe that the unhappy army. He subsequently went to all the jealousies once existing beween England and principal cities, and was everywhere treated America to be almost extinct, and we think with the greatest hospitality. Dr. Cottman the time not far distant when they will be acted in the capacity of surgeon to the utterly so. We know that many organs of Grand Duke Constantine up to the time of the American press have declared their | his appointment on his present mission, and

153

enjoys the confidence of the whole of the imperial family."

The Emperor Nicholas perfectly captivated Dr. Cottman by his condescension and his professions of a desire to cultivate the friendship of his countrymen, of whom he spoke in the highest terms of praise. "There are," said he, "but two governments in the world-those of Russia and America; and although I have the greatest regard for the latter, yet I know it would be impracticable in my country. The republican form of government is best suited," he added, "for the people of the United States, because they are enlightened and intelligent; but with Russia it is entirely different, and the government she has is the only one that is suited to her condition."

the open air, such as riding, walking, &c. After a very light meal (for he is a believer in homoeopathy, as applied to dietetics) he reviews the troops, and then visits the different members of his family at their several places. He next visits the various departments, or gives audiences; and as this portion of the day's work is ended at six o'clock, he takes dinner, after which he indulges in another ride or drive. His sons regulate their time in the same manner as the emperor; but, at stated times, they have general reunions of all the members of the family."

Of course all this politeness on the part of the great representative of despotism towards a plain American citizen, was not without its object. In estimating the character of Nicholas, in an early chapter of this work, we mentioned that he was frequently very affable and condescending towards foreigners of ability or rank, because such conduct helped to gain him a good name in other countries. But, in flattering the republican doctor, the czar had another motive. He wished to dis

The czar also astonished the American by his knowledge of the institutions and people of the country of the latter. The doctor described his imperial friend as not only thoroughly informed on this particular, but as quite familiar with American local politics, and as knowing the leading poli-pose of the island of Sitka (a part of the ticians in the different states by name. In a word, he was thoroughly posted up in the history of the different parties.

Russian dominions in America) to the go-
vernment of the United States. Sitka con-
tains the settlement of New Archangel, a
small town, with about a thousand inhabit-
ants. It is the seat of the governor of all
the establishments of Russian America, and
possesses fortifications, magazines, &c., built
of wood.
of wood. In England it is generally con-
sidered that Sitka would be almost valueless
to the Americans, and that the possession of
it might tend to embroil them with the
British government respecting some hunting
or fishing right, or boundary question. In
America, it seems, a different opinion is enter-
tained, at least by a portion of the press and

Of the looks and habits of Nicholas, Dr. Cottman speaks as follows: "The emperor is one of the most refined and polished gentlemen in Europe, and his personal appearance is remarkably prepossessing. He is He is about six feet two inches in height, and made in proportion, while in manly beauty it would be difficult to find his equal. In his manner of living he is very temperate, and preserves the greatest regularity and order in all his transactions. He rises every morning before sunrise, a practice which is followed by the other members of his family. Before break-people. * fast they take about an hour's exercise in

The czar, no doubt, foreseeing that Sitka The following article from the New York solved, it would be manifestly for the interest of Herald contains the views of that party in America Great Britain, as well as the United States, that this who advocate the purchase of Sitka:-"The Rus-intervening tract should be transferred by sale from sian territory extends along the shore from a point them to us. In this event, our territory would near longitude 64° in the Arctic Ocean to Observa- stretch in one undivided line from the icebound tory Inlet on the Pacific, being bounded on the oceans of the north to the line 32°, such a coast as south and east by the British possessions occupied no nation in the world possesses, and one which the by the Hudson's Bay Company. It comprises all natural tendency of the events now occurring in the best whaling stations in the Northern Pacific, Asia cannot but render extremely valuable. Even and if annexed to the United States would give our if Great Britain refused to part with Vancouver's whalers an advantage which would at once enable Island and the vicinity, the military value of these them to defy competition. Again, in a political possessions would be manifestly diminished, to a very point of view, its acquisition would make us mas- considerable extent, by our occupation of the coast, ters of the whole western coast of America, from the both north and south, including the whaling depôt Arctic to the Mexican boundary, with the exception at Sitka, on the one side, and the mouth of the of that portion lying between 49° and 54° 40′ -say Columbia on the other. We make no question, some 350 miles. We should thus surround Great therefore, of the course which our executive should Britain; and if, as seems likely to occur in pro- pursue in the present conjuncture. Our surplus funds cess of time, the Hudson's Bay Company were dis- could not be better employed than in acquiring the

the Russians up to admiration; yet we cannot but think there may probably be more of truth in its assertions than the English press are inclined to admit. At any rate, it is as well sometimes to see our portrait as painted by one who professes himself to be in the interest of, and delighted with, our enemy. For this purpose we subjoin the letter, some of the sarcasms of which will, we think, find their way to the mark they were aimed at :

might possibly become a means of disturbing | tarnish the name of England, while it holds the friendly relations that exist, and which we trust ever will exist, between England and America, entrusted Dr. Cottman with a mission to the government of the United States, and invested him with full powers to treat on his behalf. The doctor was to propose to the American government that they should purchase Sitka, and probably the rest of the Russian possessions on that continent, which he would make over to it on very easy terms. "The emperor," said Dr. "Sir, I have just arrived here on my way Cottman, "looks forward to the adoption of from the seat of war in the north-east, and take a commercial treaty between Russia and our it for granted that a true narrative would intercountry, and the purchase of Sitka, with no est you, being perfectly aware that you apprelittle anxiety, as he is very desirous of keep-ciate at their proper value the details you have ing up friendly terms with us during the present war. In speaking of our relations with Spain, he says that he considers that Cuba is ours by right of her geographical position; and that, as she commands the entrance to the gulf, we should take her, whether the Spanish government is willing or not." The czar had thrown dust in the eyes of Dr. Cottman by his overwhelming politeness, and he then attempted to blind America with a bribe. It was equivalent to saying, "do not you interfere while I take Constantinople, and you are welcome to Cuba with all my heart. Let us be wise, and sanction each other's aggressions."

bad through the London and Paris journals. France and England have equipped the finest fleet that ever floated, and sent it to the Baltic to instruct the Russians in geography. They have been hunting up places so far north that the sun never sets upon them for more than two months at a time. There are not more than 500 persons in St. Petersburg and Moscow together that ever heard of Brahestad, Uleaborg, &c., until they had been bombarded by the allied fleets. By the way, speaking of Uleaborg, the greatest vandalism of the present century was there committed. The account in the Dublin Post, from the journal of an officer on board the Leopard, is as near the truth as anything you have seen since the commencement of the war, as there has been a systematic perversion and suppressio veri in everything that has been de

Before returning to his native land Dr. Cottman visited London, and there he wrote a rather remarkable letter to Mr. George N.livered to the public since April last. It is true, Sanders, the American consul in this country: This letter brought upon Dr. Cottman much censure and ridicule, and was condemned by the English press as containing a tissue of falsehoods and exaggerations. It certainly exhibits our petty exploits at Brahestad and Uleaborg in a new light, and does its best to territory offered us. The case of Louisiana, which was acquired under precisely the same circumstances, is an example which should by all means be followed. Should the administration resolve on making the purchase, a difficulty is very likely to occur between Great Britain and this country. As soon as it was known in England that the purchase of Russian America had been suggested to this government, the president was notified that the British fleet in the Pacific had received orders to take Sitka. It may possibly be contended that this notification should have operated to prevent our purchase, or that such a purchase, made in the teeth of the notification, amounts to an act of hostility against Great Britain. We think it likely that this argument will be used on the other side of the Atlantic, because we have known such arguments to proceed from the same quarter before; but we regard it as entirely fallacious and incorrect. The expression of an intention on the part of Great Britain could not affect the actual sove

sacked, pillaged, and burnt the defenceless town as the Leopard's officer tells you, that they the fate of the women in that village, where he of Uleaborg; but he does not tell you what was says: 'No resistance was offered, and we landed the marines.' I will tell you. They were all violated by the crews of twenty boats, pretending to be civilised men and Christians. He tells you: reignty of the czar, or deprive him of the power of giving a valid title to the territory. Until that intention is executed, and Sitka actually taken, the czar has a clear right to sell, and we to buy, the tract menaced. If, therefore, we choose to buy, and the czar places us in possession of the territory, the British fleet will be bound to respect our purchase, under the obvious penalty of hostilities with us. This we take to be the true view of the law on the point. Should Sitka have fallen before our purchase is completed, the case would be different, as there could be no delivery from Russia to the United States, and consequently no sale. This consideration ought to stimulate our government to prompt measures. If the territory is to be bought, it must be bought at once. Delay will preclude the possibility of our ac quiring it, and will in all probability, have the effect of aiding Great Britain in its promised conquest, and adding further strength to a rival whose power is already but too formidable on this continent."