RUSSIAANDCHINA. 2oj 



for the purpofe of learning the Chinefe tongue ; in or- 

 der to quaUfy themfelves for interpreters between the 

 two nations. 



This treaty, called the treaty of Kiachta, was, on the 

 fourteenth of June, 1728, concluded and ratified by the 

 count Ragufinfki and three Chinefe plenipotentaries upon 

 the fpot, where Kiachta was afterwards built : it is the 

 bafis of all tranfaitfons fince carried on between Ruffia 

 and China*. 



One innovation in the mode of carrying on the trade 

 to China, which has been introduced fince the acceflion 

 of the prefent emprefs Catherine II. deferves to be men- 

 tioned in this place. Since the year 1755 ^^ caravans 

 have been fent to Pekin. Their firft difcontinuance was Caravans dif- 



continued. 



owing to a mifunderftanding between the two courts of 

 Peterfburg and Pekin in 1759. Their difufe after 

 the reconciliation had taken place, arofe from the fol- 

 lowing circumftances. The exportation and importation 

 of many principal commodities, particularly the moft 

 valuable furs, were formerly prohibited to individuals, 

 and folely appropriated to caravans belonging to the 

 crown. By thefe reftridtions the Ruffian trade to China 

 was greatly fliackled and circumfcribed. The prefent 



*■ S. R.G. VIII. p. 513. 



E e emprefs 



