3 68 A V O Y A G E T O 



1779. By an edict of the prefent Emprefs, no crime whatfo- 



ever can be punifhed with death. But we were informed, 

 that in cafes of murder (of which there are very few), 

 the punifhtnent of the knout is administered with fuch 

 fe verity, that the offender, for the moft parr, dies un- 

 der it. 



The only tribute exacted (which can be confidercd as 

 little more than an acknowledgment of the Ruffian domi- 

 nion over them) confifts, in fome diiliicls, of a fox's fkin, 

 in others of a fable's, and in the Kurile iiles of a fea otter's* 

 but as this is much the moft valuable, one fkin ferves to 

 pav the tribute of feveral perfons. The Toions collect the 

 tribute in their refpeclive diflricfts. Befides the mildnefs- of 

 their government, the Ruffians have a claim to every praife 

 for the pains they have beflowed, and which have been 

 attended with great fuccefs, in converting them to Chriftia- 

 nity, there remaining, at prefent, very few idolaters among 

 them. If we may judge of the other miflionaries, from 

 the hofpitable and benevolent paflor of Paratounca (who is 

 a native on the mother's fide), more fuitable perfons could 

 not be fet over this bufincfs. It is needlefs to add, that the 

 religion taught is that of the Greek church. Schools are 

 likewife eftabliflicd in many of the ojlrogs, where the children 

 of both the natives and Coilacks are gratuitously inllruc'ted 

 in the Ruflian language. 



The commerce of this country, as far as concerns the ex- 

 , ports, is intircly confined to furs, and carried on princi- 

 pally by a company of merchants, inflitutcd by the prefent 

 Emprefs. This company originally confitlcd of twelve, and 

 three have been lately added to it. They are indulged with 

 .certain privileges, and diflinguilhcd by wearing a golden 



medal, 



