R E F A C E. 



'^r^ H E late Ruffian Difcoveries between Alia and 

 America have, for fome time, engaged the atten- 

 tion of the curious ; more efpecially fince Dr. Robertfon's 

 admirable Hiftory 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 judgement which fo eminently dif- 

 tinguifh all his writings, the moft exadt information 

 at that time to be obtained, concerning thofe impor- 

 tant difcoveries. During my ftay at Petersburg, my in- 

 quiries were particularly diredfed to this interefting fub- 

 jeCl, in order to learn if any new light had been thrown 

 on an article of knowledge of fuch confequence to the 

 hiftory of mankind. For this purpofe I endeavoured to 

 colledt the refpedtive journals of the feveral voyages 

 fubfequent to the expedition of Beering and TfchirikofF 

 in 1741, with which the celebrated Muller concludes 

 his account of the firft Ruffian navigations. 



During 



