the flag from russians to americans. in eight hundred sixty seven the ceremony for placing the russian colony under u.s. control was much more modest. the american government was weary of accusations that they had wasted a lot of money headlines splashed across the newspapers scoffed at the purchase describing it as nothing more than a bunch of vice. rumor even had is that of the seven point two million dollars paid some two hundred thousand was given to senators in the form of kickbacks. but opinion but opinion there put it on their side to liberal steps which they could've with telescopes wayne some senators towards a hitch free ratification of the treaty. after alaska came under u.s. control the russian american company lost its influence and the russian settlers were offered a choice either return. to russia or live in the reservation like settlement of ninilchik. what became of the money earned in the alaska deal was shrouded in mystery. the official version claimed that the whole payment reached russia and was spent on the construction of railways. rumors persisted however that the ship carrying the gold