§ SIR ANDREW AGNEWsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give any information as to the reported cession of 1109 Russian America to the United States; and, whether the Alentian Islands are included in the Russo American territory?
LORD STANLEYSir, I have a telegram from St. Petersburg which in substance is to this effect, that official intelligence has been received of the purchase of the territory by the United States. I presume, therefore, that the arrangement is complete so far as the American Executive is concerned; but the House is of course aware that, by the constitution of the United States, a treaty requires to be confirmed by the Senate, and I have not yet heard that that confirmation has taken place. I am not able to state whether the Alentian Islands are included in the ceded territory. I should rather think not. I believe they are under the Government on the Asiatic side. But of that I am not quite certain.