Discusses problem of access of foreigners to Russian America, U. S. expansion and expansion of business contacts, Crimean War and rise of projects to sell Russian America, reorganization of Russian-American Company, projects to trade on Amur and construct Russian-American telegraph, decision to sell Russian America, conclusion and ratification of treaty of 1867, Russian press and sale of Alaska, transfer of Russian America to U. S. , and Alaska scandal. With useful bibliography.