PREFACE. ix 



together with a fuccincl view of the tranfadtions between 

 the two nations, would not be unacceptable. 



The conquell of Siberia, as it firft opened a commu- 

 nication with China, and paved the way to all the in- 

 terefting diicoveries related in the prefent attempt, will 

 not appear unconne^ftcd, 1 truft, with its principal 

 defign. 



The materials of this fecond part, as alfo of the pre- 

 liminary obfervations concerning Kamtchatka, and the 

 commerce to the new-difcovered illands, are drawn from 

 books of eftabliQied and undoubted reputation. Mr. Mul- 

 ler and Mr. Pallas, from whofe interefting works thefe 

 hiftorical and commercial fubjedts are chiefly compiled, 

 are too w^ell known in the literary world to require any 

 other vovichers for their judgement, exadnefs, and fide- 

 lity, than the bare mentioning of their names. I have 

 only farther to apprize the reader, that, befides the intel- 

 ligence extracted from thefe publications, he will find 

 fome additional circumftances relative to the Ruffian com- 

 merce with China, which I colledted during my conti- 

 nuance in Pvuffia. . 



I CAN- 



