The Arkansas Whig

Russian America.

The New York Tribune thinks that in the European war, the Russian possessions on the north-eastern shores of the Pacific, will very likely become a point of attack for the English cruisers. From the article in the Tribune, giving a sketch of Russian America, we make the following extract.

These possessions are administered by a Russian American Company, chartered by the Imperial government. This company is under the special direction of the Emperor, and has its principal seat at Sitka, one among the islands of the small Archipelago extending along the north-western coast of the America continent. Having come into possession of private information concerning the private condition of this colony and of its trade from a perfectly authorized source, we proceed to lay it before the public.

The native population, in those regions in composed partly of Aleutians, Kuriles, of Mongolian and Kamschatkian stock, but consists chiefly of the Koloshes, a tribe different in type from the others. The Koloshes are a Siwash and blue-eyed race, with oval features and light hair, and speak a language peculiar to themselves. They are easily managed with just treatment, but are brave and quickly roused to anger. For the most part they have preserved their independence, since out of nearly fifty thousand the greater part have not submitted to Russian domination. However they all trade with the colony, bringing thither beaver skins and potatoes. They are fond of wheaten groats next to gun-powder--prefer that article in exchange for their produce. Like many other native American tribes they are subdivided into smaller clans living in continual feud with each other. They are all armed with rifles.