R U S S I A A N D C H I N A. 213 



This fettlement is but indifferently provided with 

 water both in quality and quantity ; for although the 

 brook Kiachta is dammed up as it flows by the fortrefs, 

 yet it is fo fhallow in fummer, that, unlefs after heavy 

 rains, it is fcarcely fufficient to fupply the inhabitants. 

 Its ftream is troubled and unwholefome, and the fprings 

 v/hich rife in the neighbourhood are either foul or 

 brackifli: from thefe circumftances, the principal inha- 

 bitants are obliged to fend for water from a fpring in 

 the Chinefe diftrid:. The foil of the adjacent country 

 is moftly fand or rock, and extremely barren. If the 

 frontiers of Ruflia were extended about nine verfts more 

 South to the rivulet of Bura; the inhabitants of Kiachta 

 would then enjoy good water, a fruitful foil, and plenty 

 of fiili, all which advantages are at prefent confined to 

 the Chinefe. 



The garrifon of Kiachta confifts of a company cvf 

 regular foldiers, and a certain number of Coffacs ; the 

 former are occafionally changed, but the latter are fixed 

 inhabitants of the place. It is the province of the 

 commander to infpeit the frontiers, and, in conjunction 

 with the prelident of the Chinefe merchants, to fettle 

 all affairs of an inferior nature ; but in matters of im- 

 portance recourfe mud be had to the chancery of Selen- 

 ginfk, and to the governor of Irkutflv. The Ruffian 

 4 merchants^,. 



