R U S S I A A N D C H I N A, 203 



Ruffian trade, and were gradually prepared for its fub- 

 fequcnt eftablilhment. This commerce, carried on by 

 intervals, was entirely fufpended by the hoftilities upon 

 the river Amoor. But no fooner was the treaty of Ner- 

 fliinJk figned, than the Ruffians engaged with extraor- 

 dinary alacrity in this favourite branch of traffic. The 

 advantages of this trade were foon found to be fo con- 

 .liderable, that Peter I. conceived an idea of ftill farther 

 enlarging it. Accordingly, in 1692, he fcnt Isbrand 

 Ives, a Dutchman in his fervice, to Pekin, who requeued 

 and obtained, that the liberty of trading to China, which iowc<iTo'tra'<', 



to Pekin. 



by the late treaty was granted to individuals, fliould be 

 extended to caravans. 



In confequence of this arrangement, fucceffive cara- 

 vans went from Ruffia to Pekin, where a caravanfary 

 was allotted for their reception; and all their expences 

 during their continuance in that metropolis defrayed by 

 the Emperor of China. The right of fending thefe cara- 

 vans, and the profits refulting from them, belonged to 

 the crown of Ruffiia. In the mean time, private mer- 

 chants continued as before to carry on a feparate trade 

 with the Chinefe, not only at Pekin, but alfo at the head 

 quarters of the Mongols. The camp of thefe roving 

 Tartars was generally to be found near the conflux of the 

 Orchon and Tola, between the Southern frontiers of 

 Siberia and the Mongol defert. A kind of annual fair 



D d 2 was 



