THE BALTIC FLEET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 233, 24 January 1855, Page 3

THE BALTIC FLEET.

The Observer, which is a sort of weekly, semi-official newspaper, publishes the following respecting the reported return of Sir Charles' Napier and his fleet. "Some of the papers still keep harping upon the alleged speedy return to the English coast, of the Baltic fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles "; Xapier. It may be as well, once for nil, to* contradict all these statements and suppositionsThe Baltic fleet will remain in the norlh until the ice of the approaching winter shall take their place of guarding the Russian ports, and confining the Russian navies behind their strong holds." Proposed Purchase of Russo-Amkkican Territory by the United States.—The Neiv York Herald of the 26th of July, makes the following announcement:—"We have the best reasons for knowing that despatches from the Russian Government arrived here yesterday in the 'Pacific, offering to sell to the United . States the whole of the Russian territory in North America, comprising the western lit-;, toral of the continent from the Arctic Ocean to Observatory Inlet, in lat. bo, and extending inland as far as long. 63 degrees. Should the ' Administration resolve on making the purchase a difficulty is very likely to occur between Orreat 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 Sitfca. It may possibly' be contended that this notification should have operated to prevent our purchase, or that such a purchase made m the teetli of the notification amounts to an act of hostility against Great Britain. We think it is hkely that this argument may be used on the other side of the' Atlantic, because we have known such arguments to proceed from the same qua-

ter before, but we regard it as entirely fallacious and iucorrect. The expression of an intention on the part of Great Britaiu could not affect the actual sovereignty of the Czar, or depvive liun 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 ttne 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 whence we could derive any valid right to the land. This consideration ought to stimulate our Government to prompt measures. If the territory is to be bought, it must be bought at once."