Supplement to the Russian Discoveries. (A Comparative View of the Russian Discoveries with those made by Captains Cook and Clerke; and a sketch of what remains to be ascertained by future navigators.)

Front matter

ACCOUNT OF THE RUSSIAN DISCOVERIES BETWEEN ASIA AND AMERICA. To which are added, THE CONQUEST OF SIBERIA, AND THE HISTORY OF THE TRANSACTIONS AND COMMERCE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA. BY WILLIAM COXE, A.M. F.R.S. F. S.A, CANON EESIDE?.TIAKY OF SARUM, AND HECTOR OF BEMEBTON, THE FOURTH EDITION, CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED. LONDON: ritlNTED ton. MESSRS. CADELL AND DAVIES IN THE STRAND. l804. J. EASTON, PRINTER, HIGH-STREET, SARUM. TO JACOB BRYANT, ESQ. AS A PUBLIC TESTIMONY OF THE HIGHEST RESPECT FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED LITERARY ABILITIES, THE TRUEST ESTEEEM FOR HIS PRIVATE VIRTUES, AND THE MOST GRATEFUL SENSE OF MANY PERSONAL FAVOURS, THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE INSCRIBED, BY JUS FAITHFUL AND AFFECTIONATE HUMBLE SERVANT, WILLIAM COXE. ■Km-ri-je, March 27, ijSo. [ v ]

Preface

TO THE FOURTH EDITION. THE first edition of this work gave to the public the earliest account of the Russian Discoveries between Asia and America, which were so little known even to the Ruffians them selves, that a translation was printed at St. Pe tersburgh. It commenced with the voyages made by merchants subsequent to Beering's ex pedition in 1740, and terminated with that of Krenitzin and Levafhef in 1769. The work being long out of print the author was repeatedly urged to give a new edition, and to add those accounts which would render ihis series of voyages complete, from the earliest at tempts of Beering to the present time. The reader will therefore find in this edition, a com plete series of voyages from 1711 to 1792, com prising all that is known on the subject. Among these additions are Steller's interesting Narrative of Beering's fatal Expedition from Kamtchatka to the Coast of America ; the Account of She lekof's Voyage and Settlement in Kadiak, and the Voyages of Ismaelof and Betsharof from Kadiak to the Coast of America. These narraa 3 tives, VI

PREFACE.

. tives, publiflied in the Neiie Nordische Bey traege by Pallas, in the German tongue, have never before been submitted to the English reader. The author has also given abstracts of Billing's two voyages, from Mr. Sauer's narrative of the expedition ; and among the Supplementary Accounts of the Ruffian Discoveries is in serted an abstract of Tschitschagof's Voyage towards the North Pole, which is contained in the Nordische Beytraege, and for the first time given in an English dress. This voyage is the more curious as it was performed before the expedition of Captain Phipps, and fully ascer tains the impracticability of penetrating into the high northern latitudes. By a careful examination the author has been able to identify many of the discoveries of the Ruffians with those of our navigators, and to clear up much of the obscurity which has hitherto enveloped this subject.' To give place to these additions he has excluded several conjectural chapters relative to the vicinity of Asia and America, and respecting the longitude and lati tude' of the different places which subsequent discoveries have rendered unnecessary.

To elucidate the whole, has given, with the assistance of Mr. Arrowsmith, a new chart of the Russian and English discoveries in the North Pacific Ocean. PRE- ]

PREFACE.

TO THE FIRST EDITION OF 1780.. f I SHE late Ruffian Discoveries between Asia -*■ and America have, for some time, engaged the attention of the curious ; more especially since Dr. Robertson's admirable History of America has been in the hands of the public. In that valuable performance the elegant and ingenious author has communicated to the world, with an accuracy and judgment which so emi nently distinguish all his writings, the most exact information at that time to be obtained, con cerning those important discoveries. During my stay at Petersburgh, my inquiries were parti cularly directed to this interesting subject, in or der to learn if any new light had been thrown on an article of knowledge of such consequence to the history of mankind. For this purpose I en deavoured to collect the respective journals of the several voyages subsequent to the expedition of Beering and Tfchirikof in 1741, with which the celebrated Muller concludes his accunt of the first Ruffian navigations. a 4 During

PREFACE.

. During my researches I was informed that a treatise in the German language, published at Hamburg and Leipsic in 1776, contained a full and exact narrative of the Ruffian voyages, from 1745 to 1770*. But I should have paid little attention to the anonymous publication, had I not been assured, from very good authority, that it was compiled from original journals. Not resting, however, upon this intelligence, I took the liberty of ap plying to Mr. Muller himself, who, by order of the Empress, had arranged the fame journals, from which the anonymous author is said to have drawn his materials. Previous to my application, Mr. Muller had compared the treatise with the original papers ; and he favoured me with the following strong testimony to its exact ness and authenticity : " Vous feres bien de *' traduire pour Fusage de vos compatriotes le " petit livre fur les ifles situes entre le Kamt v chatka et 1'Amerique.

Il n'y a point de " doute, que l'auteur n'ait ete pourvu de bons <( memoirs, et qu'il ne s'en soit servi fidelement. " pai confronts le livre avec les originaux." Supported by this very respectable anthority, I * The title of the book is, Neue Nachrichten von denen Ncuendeckten Insuln in der See zwischen Asia und Ameiika aus mitgctheiiteu Urkdnden und Auszuegen verfasset von J,L. S, con-

PREFACE.

. IX considered this treatise as a performance ofthe highest credit) and well worthy of being more generally known and perused, and I have there fore in the first part of the present publication, submitted a translation of it to the reader's can dour ; adding occasional notes to those passages ■which seemed to require explanation. The original is divided into sections without any refe rences ; but as it seemed more convenient to di vide it into chapters ; and to accompany each chapter with a summary of the contents, and marginal references ; I have moulded it into that form, without making, however, any alteration in the order of the journals. The additional intelligence which I procured at Petersburg is thrown into a Second Part : it consists of some new information, and of three journals *, never before given to the public.

Amongst these I most particularly mention that of Krenitzin and Levafhef, which, together with the chart of their voyage, was communicated to Dr. Robertson, by order of the Empress of Russia ; and which that justly admired historian has, in the politest and most obliging manner, permitted me to make use of in this collection. * The journal of Krenitzin and Levashef, the short account of Stand's voyage, and the narrative of Shalaurof's ex pedition, Part II. Chapters I. VII. VIII. „ This X

PREFACE.

. This voyage, which redounds greatly to the ho nour of the sovereign who planned it, confirms in general the authenticity of the work which I have translated, and ascertains the discoveries made by the private merchants. As a further illustration of this subject, I collected the best charts which could be procured at Petersburg, of which a list will be given in the following advertisement. From all these circumstances, I may venture, perhaps, to hope that the curious and inquisitive reader will not only find in the following pages the most authentic account of the progress and extent of the Ruffian discoveries, which has hitherto appeared in any language ; but be enabled hereafter to compare them with those more lately made by that great and much to be regretted navigator, Captain Cooke, when his journal shall be com municated to the public.

As all the furs which are brought from the new-discovered iflands are sold to the Chinese, I was naturally led to make enquiries concerning the commerce between Russia and China ; and finding this branch of traffic much more im portant than is commonly imagined, I thought that a general sketch of its present state, together with a succinct view of the transactions between the two nations, would not be unacceptable. The conquest of Siberia, as it first opened a com-

PREFACE.

. XI ■fc communication with China, and led to all the subsequent discoveries described in this volume, will not appear unconnected, I trust, with its principal design. The materials of this second part, as also of the preliminary observations concerning Kamt chatka, and the commerce to the New-discovered Isiands, are drawn from books of established and undoubted reputation. Mr. Muller and Mr. Pallas, from whose interesting works these histo rical and commercial subjects are chiefly com piled, are too well known in the literary world to require any other vouchers for their judgment, exactness, and fidelity, than the bare mention of their names. I have only further to apprize the reader, that, besides the intelligence extracted from these publications, he will find some additional circumstances relative to the Ruffian com merce with China, which I collected during my continuance in Russia.

I cannot close this address to the reader with out embracing with peculiar satisfaction the just occasion, which the ensuing treatises upon the Ruffian discoveries and commerce afford me, of joining with every friend of science in the warm est admiration of that enlarged and liberal spirit, which so strikingly marks the character of the present Empress of Russia. Since her accession

PREFACE.

. sion to the throne, the investigation of useful knowledge has been the constant ->bject of her generous encouragement. The authentic records of the Russian history, have, by her express orders, been properly arranged; and permission to inspect them is readily granted. The most distant parts of her vast dominions have, at her expence, been explored and described by persons of great abilities and extensive learning ; by which means new and important lights have been thrown upon the geography and natural history of those remote regions. In a word, this truly great princess has contributed more, in the compass of only a few years, towards ci vilizing and informing the minds of her subjects, than had been effected by all the sovereigns her predecessors since the glorious æra of Peter the Great.

March 27, 1780. IXPLA- EXPLANATION Of some Russian Words made use of in the following Work. Baidar, a small boat. Guba, a bay. Kamen, a rock. Kotche, a vessel. Krepost, a regular fortress. Noss, a cape. Ostrog, a fortress surrounded with palisadoes. Ostroff, an island. Ostrova, islands. Quass, a sort of fermented liquor. Reka, a riveV. The Russians in their proper names of persons, make use of patronymics ; these patronymics are formed in some cases by adding Vitch to the chris tian name ofthe father; in others Off or Eff ; the former termination is applied only to persons of condition • the latter to those of an inferior rank. As, for instance, Among persons) ) Ivan the son. of condition - \ Ivan J of Iyan Of inferior rank, Ivan Ivanoff, Michael Alexievitch, f Michael the Michael Alexeeff, £son of Alexey.

Sometimes a surname is added, Ivan Ivanovitch Romanoff. TABLE TABLE Of Russian Weights, Measures of Length, and I alue of Money. WEIGHT. A pood weighs 40 Russian poods — 36 English. MEASURES OF LENGTH. Sixteen vershocks — an arsheen. An arsheen — 28 inches. Three arsheens, or seven feet, — a fathom*, or sazshen. Five hunched sazshens — a verst. A degree of longitude comprises 10-lf versts — 69s English miles. A mile is therefore 1,515 parts of a verst ; two miles may then be estimated equal to three versts, omitting a small fraction. VALUE OF RUSSIAN MONEY. A rouble — 100 copecs ; its value varies according to the exchange from 3s. 8d. to 4s. 2d. Upon an average, however, the value of a rouble is throughout this work, reckoned at four shillings f- * The fathom for measuring the depth of water is th « same as the English fathom, — 6 feet. t The value of a rouble (1803) is only 2s. 6d. DIRECTIONS FOR THE PLATES.

Reduced Copy of the Map of Siberia, published by the Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburgh, l. in 1777, - - - - to face the title page. Chart ofthe Russian and English Discoveries in the North Pacific Ocean, - to face page 21. 2. Chart of the Voyage made by Krenitzin and Levashef to the Fox Islands - to face p. 248. 3. 4. Chart of Synd's Voyage ----- p. 264. 5. Chart of Shalaurof's Voyage - - - p. 367. 6. View of Maimatschin p. 45U Chrip. 1 2 3 1 2 CONTENTS* Preliminary Observations concerning Kamtchatka. -Discovery and Conquest of Kamtchatka — Present State — Government — Population — Tribute — Volpage 1 canoes General Idea of the Commerce carried on to the New-discovered Islands^— Equipment of the Vessels — Risks of the Trade, Profits, &c. - 10 Furs and Skins procured from Kamtchatka and the New-discovered Islands — Sea-Otters — Different Species of Foxes 13 — •e®«|^5l®®«e—- Account of the Russian Discoveries.

Part I

Period l — 1711 to 1741. From the Conquest of Kamtchatka to the Conclusion of Beering's and Tchirikof's Expeditions. Origin of the Russian Discoveries— Voyage of Beer-' ing towards the Northern Ocean 21 Steller's Journal of Beering's Voyage of Discovery from Kamtchatka to the Coast of America, in 1741 30 b Sicr. XV111 Chap. 1 1 3 CONTENTS. Sect. 1. Departure from Kamtchatka — Discovery of America — Description of the Coast — Account of an Island on which Steller landed— Animal, vegetable, and marine Productions — Indisposition of Beering, and Insubordination of the Crew — Return towards Kamtchatka — Incidents of the Voyage — Distresses of the Crew - - page 33 Sect. 2. Remarks on Steller's Narrative, and Conjectures, relative to the Parts of America touched at by Beering and Tchelekof - - 94 »»«<»»» A ccount of the Russian Discoveries.

PERIOD II. From 1741 to 1778. Conquest of Siberia — Commencement of the New Discoveries — Their Progress — Encouraged by the Empress — Position of the New-discovered Islands 103 Voyages in 1745 — First Discovery of the Aleutian Isles by Michael Nevodsiikof - - 112 Successive Voyages from 1747 to 1753, to Beering's and Copper Island, and to the Aleutian Isles — Voyage of Emilian Yugof — Of the Boris and Glebb — Of Andrew Tolstyk to the Aleutijn Isles, 1749 — Voyagfe of Vorchief, 1750— Of Novikof and Baccot from Anadyrsk — Shipwreck upon Beering's Island — Voyage of Durnef, in the St. Nicholas, 1754 — Narrative of the Voyage — Description of the Aleutian Isles — Some Account of the Inhabitants 119 Voyages CONTENTS. XIX Chap. 4, 5 6. 7. Voyages from 1753 to 1756.

Kolodilof's Ship sails from Kamtchatka, 1753 — Departure of Serebranikof's Vessel — Shipwrecked upon one of the distant Islands — Account of the Inhabitants — The Crew construct another Vessel and return to Kamtchatka — Departure of Krassilnikof's Vessel — Shipwrecked upon Copper Island — The Crew reach Beering's Island in two Baidars page 130 Voyages from 1756 to 175S — Voyage of Andrean Tolstyk in 1756 to the Aleutian Isles — Voyage of Ivan Shilkin in the Capiton, 1757 — Shipwrecked upon one of the Fox Islands — The Crew construct a small Vessel, and are again Shipwrecked - 136 Voyages in 1758, 1759, and 1760 — to the Fox Islands — in the St. Vlodimir, fitted out by Trapesnikof, and commanded by Paikof, 1758 — and in the Gabriel, by Betshevin — Account of the Inhabitants of Alaksu or Alachskak — Voyage of the Peter and Paul to the Aleutian Islands, 1759 - - 142 Voyage of Andrean Tolstyk in the St. Andrean and Natalia, 1760 — Discovery of some new Islands called Andreanofskie Ostrova — Description of six of those Islands — Account of the Inhabitants — The Vessel wrecked upon the Coast of Kamtchatka 151 Voyage of the Zacharias and Elizabeth, fitted out by Kulkoff, and commanded by Drusinin, 1762 — They sail to Umnak, and to Unalashka, where they winter —The Vessel destroyed ; and all the Crew murdered by the Islanders, except four— Their Adventures and wonderful Escape - - 159 b 2 9.

Voy- XX CONTENTS. Chap, 9. 10, 11, 12 13 14, Voyage of the Vessel called the Trinity, under the Command of Korovin, 1762— Winters at Unalashka— Puts to Sea in the Spring— Stranded in a Bay of the Island Umnak, and the Crew attacked by the Natives— Many of them killed -Others carried off by Sickness— Are reduced to great Streights — Relieved by Glottof, twelve of the whole Company only remaining — Description of Umnak and Unalashka — and Account of the Inhabitants, page l68 Voyage of Stephen Glottof in the Andrean and Natalia, 1762— He reaches the Fox Islands— Sails beyond Unalashka to Kadyak — Winters on that Island — Repeated Attempts of the Natives to destroy the Crew — They are repulsed, reconciled, and prevailed on to trade with the Russians — Account of Kadyak — Its Inhabitants — Animals— -Productions — Glottof sails back to Umnak — Winters there — Returns to Kamtchatka — Journal of his Voyage, 185 Voyage of Soloviof in the St. Peter and Paul, 1764 —He passes two Winters upon Unalashka — Attempts of the Natives to destroy the Crew — Return of Soloviof to Kamtchatka — Journal of his Voyage— Description of the Islands Umnak and Unalashka — Productions — Inhabitants— Their Manners — Customs, &c. &c. - - 208 Voyage of Otcheredin in the St, Paul, 176"5 — He winters on Umnak — Arrival of Levashoff upon Unalashka — Return of Otcheredin to Ochotsk - 231 Conclusion — General Position and Situation of the Aleutian and Fox Islands— Further Description of the Dress, Manners, and Customs of the Inhabitants ■ — Their Feasts and Ceremonies - 035 Voyage of Captain Krenitzin and Lieutenant Levashef, to the Fox Jslands in 1768 and 1769 — Krenitzin winters CONTENTS.

XXI Chap, winters at Alashka, Levashef upon Unalashka— Productions of Unalashka — Description of the In habitants of the Fox Islands - - r>a"e 248 page 248 15. Voyage of Lieutenant Synd, to the North-East of Siberia—He discovers a Cluster of Islands, and a Promontory, which he supposes to belong to the Continent of America, lying near the Coast of the Tchutski 264 Account of the Russian Discoveries. PERIOD III. From 177S to the Termination of the Voyage of Billings in 1792. 1. Narrative of Shelekof 's Voyage to Kadiak, from 1783 to 1787. Sails from Okotsk to Kadiak — Attacked by the Konaghi — Succeeds in terrifying them by the Effects of Fire-arms — Forms a Settlement- Other Engagements with the Natives — Conciliates their Affection — The Party afflicted by the Scurvy —Expeditions to the neighbouring Islands, and the Coast of America — Description of the Climate- Returns — Destination of the two Vessels during his Absence — Reaches Bolcherretsk — Arrival of an English Ship in the Port of St. Peter and St. Paul- Proceeds to Irkutsk — General Account of the Inhabitants and Productions of the Islands, and of the American Coasts - - - 267, 269 2.

Voy- CONTENTS. Chap. 2 3 4, 5 6. Voyage of Ismaelof and Betsharoff— Touch at Kadiak — See Suklia or Montague Island -Enter Prince William's Sound — Anchor in Nutcheck Bay or Port Etches — Transactions — Visited by Nekshulk Atascha, a native Chief— Description of the Animals and Productions of the Bay of Tchugatsk, or Prince William's Sound - - - page 302 Quit Prince William's Sound — Steer to the Island Atchaka, or Vancouver's Middleton's Island — Kill a Chief who attempted to assassinate one of the Russians — Sail to Koiac or Kaye's Island — Description — Proceed along the American Coast— Visited by the Natives— Anchor in the Bay of Yakutat, or Port Mulgrave — Description of the Dwellings, Manners, &c. of the Inhabitants — Visited by the Chief Ilchack - - - 313 Quit the Bay of Yakutat — Sail along the Coast- Explore the River Ralco — Enter the Bay of Ltoua, probably Portlock's Harbour — Visited by a native Chief — Discover an Anchor which had been lost by an European Ship — Description of the Bay of Ltoua— Lose an Anchor— Quit the Bay — Reach Kadiak 333 Additional Remarks on the Russian Settlement in Kadiak, from Vancouver - - - - 344 Voyage of Discovery made by Captain Billings, from 1785 to 1794— Departure from Kamtchatka — Touches at Kadiak — Account of Shelekof 's Establishment — Reaches Prince William's Sound — Error concerning the Position of Cape St. Elias — Kaye's Island — Return to Kamtchatka — Second Expedition — Passes the Chain of Aleutian Islands to Unalashka .—Sails to the Bay of St. Laurence — Traverses the Country of the Tchutski — The Ships return to and winter Chap, 1 2 3, CONTENTS.

Jtxiii winter at Unalashka— Distresses of the Crews- Account of the Inhabitants, and the Mode of carry ing on the Russian Trade — Final return to Kamt chatka - page 349 Supplementary Account of the Russian Discoveries. Attempts of the Russians to discover a North-East Passage — Voyages from Archangel towards the Lena — From the Lena towards Kamtchatka — Extract from Muller 's Account of Deshneff's Voyage round Tschukotskoi Noss— Narrative of a Voyage made by Shalauroff from the Lena to Shelatskoi Noss - 366 Expedition of Captain Billings into the Frozen Ocean, from the Mouth of the Kovyma - 394 Attempt of Tchitschagof to discover a North-East Pas- ■ sage — Stopped by the Ice — Winters in Bell Sound- Endeavours to force a Passage round Spitzbergen— Returns — His Remarks on this Navigation — Second Voyage .... 3gg Concluding Remarks on the Discoveries of Vancouver, and the Desiderata in the Geography of these Regions - 408 Part CONTENTS. Chap. 1 2 3, 4, 5. 6

Part II

Conquest of Siberia. Irruptions of the Russians into Siberia — Exploits and Progress ot Yermac — Defeats Kutchum Chan- Conquers his Dominions — Receives a Reinforcement of Russian Troops — His Defeat and Death— Veneration paid to his Memory — Russian Troops evacuate Siberia — Re-enter and conquer the whole Country — Their Progress stopped by the Chinese I page 417 Transactions between Russia and China. Commencement of Hostilities between the Russians and Chinese — Disputes concerning the Limits of the two Empires — Treaty of Nershinsk — Embassies from the Court of Russia to Pekiil — Treaty of Kiakta — Establishment of .he commercial Intercourse between the two Nations - 435 Account of the Russian and Chinese Settlements on the Confines of Siberia — Description of the Russian frontier Town Kiakta — ofthe Chinese frontier Town Maimatschin — its Buildings, Pagodas, &c, - 448 Commerce between the Chinese and Russians — List of the principal Exports and Imports — Duties — Average Amount of the Russian Trade - 466 Description of Zurukaitu— ana its Trade—Transport of the Merchandise through Siberia - 477 Tartarian Rhubarb brought to Kiakta by the Bucharian Merchants— Method of examining and purchasing the Roots- Different Species of Rheum which yield the finest Rhubarb— Price of Rhubarb in Russia— Exportation— Superiority of the Tartarian over the Indian Rhubarb 482 PRE- CONCERNING KAMTCHATKA. —•■ 0*BBK->— CHAP. I. Discovery and Conquest of Kamtchatka — Present State— Government— Population — Tribute- Volcanoes.

JL HE Peninsula of Kamtchatka was discov ered by the Ruffians the latter end of the seven teenth century. The first expedition was made in these latitudes in 1696, by sixteen Cossacs, under the command of Lucas Semænof Morolko, who was sent against the Koriacs ofthe river Opooka by Vlodimir Atlassof commander of Anadirsk. Morofko penetrated within four days journey of the river Kamtchatka, and returned to Ana dirsk*, after exacting tribute from a single vil lage. In the following year Atlassof,at the head of a larger body, penetrated into the Penin sula, took possession of the river Kam: hatka S. R. G. V. 3. p. 72. B by V by erecting a cross upon its banks, and built some huts upon the spot, where the Upper Ostrog now stands. These expeditions were continued during se veral years : Upper and Lower Kamtchatkoi Ostrogs and Bolcheretsk were built, the South ern district conquered and colonised, and in 1711 the whole Peninsula was reduced under the Russian dominion.

During some years the possession of Kamt chatka brought little advantage to the crown, except a small tribute os furs exacted from the inhabitants. The Russians indeed occasionally hunted foxes, wolves, ermines, sables, and other animals, whose valuable skins form an important article of commerce among the Eastern nations. But the fur trade was inconsiderable, until the Russians discovered the islands between Asia and America. Since these discoveries, the va riety of rich furs, procured from those islands, has greatly increased the trade of Kamtchatka, and rendered it an important branch of Ruffian commerce. The Peninsula of Kamtchatka lies between 51 and 62 degrees of North latitude, and 1720 and 1860 of lohgitude from the isle of Fero; or West from Greenwich. Itis bounded on the East and South by the sea of Kamtchatka, on the West by the seas of Okotsk and Penfhinfk, and and on the North by the country of the Koriacs.

It is divided into four districts, Bolcheretsk, Tigilskaia Krepost, Verchnei or Upper Kamt chatkoi Ostrog, and Nishnei or Lower Kamt chatkoi Ostrog. The government is vested in the chancery of Bolcheretsk, which depends upon the chancery of Ochotsk. The whole Russian force, stationed in the Peninsula, con sisted in 1777, of no more than three hundred men*. The present population of Kamtchatka amounts to scarce four thousand souls. For merly the inhabitants were more numerous ; but in 1768, the small-pox, carried oss five thousand three hundred and sixty-eight persons. In 1776 there were only seven hundred and six males in the whole Peninsula who were tributary, and an hundred and fourteen in the Kuril Isles, which are subject to Russia. The fixed annual tribute consisted of 279 sables, 464 red foxes, 50 sea-otters, with a dam, and 38 cub sea-otters.

All furs exported from Kamtchatka pay a duty of 10 per cent, to the crown ; the tenth of the cargoes brought from the new-discovered islands is also delivered into the customs. * Journal of St. Petersburg for April 1777, Ba Many Many traces of volcanoes have been observed in this Peninsula j and some mountains are still in a burning state. The most considerable of these volcanos is situated near the Lower Ostrog. In 1762 a great noise was heard within the mountain, and flames of fire burst from different parts. These flames were immediately suc ceeded by a large stream of melted snow-water, which flowed into the neighbouring valley, and drowned two Kamtchadals, who were upon a hunting party. The ashes, and other combustible matter, thrown from the mountain, spread to the circumference of two hundred miles.

In 1767 there was another discharge, but less considerable. Every night flames were observed issuing from the mountain, and the eruption, which at tended them, did no small damage to the inhabitants of the Lower Ostrog. Since that year no flames have been seen ; but the mountain emits a constant smoke. The same phænomenon was observed upon another mountain, called Tabaetshinski. The face of the country is chiefly mountainous. It produces in some parts birch, poplars, alders, willows, underwood, and berries, of dif ferent sorts. Many vegetables are raised with great facility; such as white cabbage, turnips, radishes, beet-root, carrots, and; cucumbers. Agriculture is in a low fctfe, which is chiefly owing owing to the nature of the soil and the severe hoar frosts; for notwithstanding various attempts to cultivatesoats, barley, and rye, no crop has ever been sufficiently productive to answer the labour and expence.

Hemp however has been recently Cultivated with great.fuccess*. Every year a vessel, belonging to the crown, fails from Okotsk to Kamtchatka, laden with salt, provisions, corn, and Ruffian manufactures ; and returns in June or July the following year with skins and furs. Additions to the Account of Kamtchatka. The three divisions of Tygil, Nishni, and Virchin, were each commanded by a serjeant, and Bolcheretsk was the residence of the com mander in chief and his assistant, who were dependant on the chancery of Ochotsk. In 1783, the Empress removed the seat of government, from Bolcheretsk to Nishni Kamt chatka, under the name of a city, establishing a military commandant of the rank of lieutenant colonel, and a court of justice for civil and cri minal causes, (called Bemfkoi Sud) the president of which must go once a year round the penin sula, to keep order and decide trivial disputes, * Journal of St. Petersburg. also *3 also to recover tribute.

He was also the Capi tan Ispravnick, a magistracy of which all the members were merchants, and presided over commerce and trade. In 1787, Kozloff Ugrinin, commandant of Okotsl., visited Kamtchatka, and divided it in to two districts, Nishni and Petropaolofslci, the former comprehending Virshni and Tygil, the latter the harbour and Bolcheretsk. The whole force consisted in 1793, in only about 300 Cos sacs. An application was made for as many more, which was probably granted. The rivers are the Kamtchatka, the greatest, and in fact the only one that deserves the name, winding in a southern direction to Nishni, where it turns eastward, and falls into the sea of Kamtchatka, in the latitude 560. Its course is about 800 versts, 500 of which it is navigable in small vessels. The æstuary is full of shifting banks, and very shallow ; the water is clear, and the river abounds with the finest fish : salmon of different sorts, salmon trout, and trout, and immense shoals of herrings ascend to Nishni in May and October.