padr1">“Manager, Bellarmsky“THE PRESIDENT.

(Signed.)“Major-General CHERNOFSKY.”

(Letter from Admiral Boutakoff to Mr. Francis.)

“Fort No. 1, Syr Dariah, July 2, 1862.

“Dear Mr. Francis—The new steamers of my flotilla, built at your works at Liverpool, are not yet launched, but I hope to accomplish it in about a month. The boilers, on account of the great difficulty of transporting them across the Desert, will not arrive before the middle of August, so that I shall not have sufficient time to employ the new steamers this year, but will give them a trial upon the Syr Dariah. The parts of the pontoon dock will be here about the end of August, giving us time to put them together next winter.

“With a hearty shake hands, and my sincere sympathies with your northern countrymen, of whose victories I congratulate you.

“I remain, yours most truly,

(Signed.)“A. BOUTAKOFF.”

On the launching of the steamers, the Emperor congratulated Mr. Francis on the success of the invention by which the first obstacle that barred the way to the conquest of a vast territory was removed, opening an avenue to increased Empire.

After the survey of the Aral, only rendered possible by the construction of these vessels, fortifications were constructed on the shores of that sea, and the long-deferred conquest of that section of Asia was, to all intents and purposes, accomplished.

In order to still further emphasize his gratitude, the Emperor caused Mr. Francis to be created a Knight of the Royal Order of Saint Stanislaus, one of the richest decorations in the gift of royalty. Following is a copy of the parchment:

“We, by the grace of God, Alexander the Second, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russians, Czar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, etc., etc., etc.

“To Joseph Francis, Citizen of the United States of North America:

“The Ministry of Marine having testified to your particular services, we have graciously been pleased to nominate you a Knight of our Imperial and Royal Order of Saint Stanislaus by an Ukaz of 7th November, 1860, given to our Chapter of Orders, to the end that they do sign and seal this Diploma in witness thereof, and forward to you the insignia of the Order.

“St. Petersburg, this 10th day of November, 1860.

[SEAL.]	The Vice-President,	Count Borch.
	Lieut.-General,	L’Ecesujsecetz.
	Grand Master of Ceremonies,	Rhitrovo.
	Member,	Ku, uyey5Eyuivel.,

No. 5,756.”

Shortly after the securing of his patents in Russia Mr. Francis disposed of a portion of his corrugated system patent to Baron Rumin, Chamberlain to the Emperor, covering Moscow and the Rivers Volga and Don.

After the contract was drawn, a request was made on the part of the Baron to include the Caspian Sea, and to which no objection was made, as little value was placed on the Caspian at that time, on account of its shallow water and isolated position, no one supposing that a

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