r 24+ ] 



C H A P. V. 



Defcriptmi of Zuruchaitu—r-and its trade — 'Tranfport of 

 the merchandife through Siberia.. 



^ I "* H E general account of the Ruffian commerce to 

 -■- China has been given in the preceding chapter^ 

 becaufe almoft the whole traffic is confined to Kiachta. 

 The defcription of Zuruchaitu, which was alfo fixed by 

 the treaty of Kiachta for the purpofe of carrying on the 

 fame trade, will be comprifed of courfe in a naiTow 

 compafs. 



zSahu.°^ Zuruchaitu is fituated in 137' longitude, and 49°. 20' 

 N. latitude, upon the Weftern branch of the river Ar- 

 goon, at a fmall diftance from its fource. It is provided 

 with a fmall garrifon, and a few wretched barracks fur- 

 rounded with chevaux de frife. No merchants are fettled, 

 at this place ; they come every fummer from Nerfhinfk, 

 and other Ruffian towns in order to meet two parties of 

 Mongol troops : thefe troops are fent from the Chinefe 

 towns Naun and Merghen, and arrive at the frontiers 

 about July. They encamp near Zuruchaitu upon the 

 other fide of the river Argoon, and barter with the 



Siberian: 



