2S0 Russian Voyage of Discovery. 



very slightly. The Japanese gave me every assistance in pre- 

 paring the new plan of the harbour or' Nangasacki. Our 

 voyage from the entrance to the inner part of the harbour 

 lasted three months, and we halted five different times in 

 the course of our survey. These relaxations from our labours 

 were of great use to us, and very pleasant. Lieutenant 

 Lowenslern has made a valuable collection of drawings oi 

 all the vessels we saw in this harbour, with all their various 

 colours and decorations, which every man of rank carries 

 according to his degree. Baron Billingshauscn has prepared 

 several models of Japanese boats, and a very correct drawing 

 of a Chinese junk. Counsellor Tilesius has made a rich 

 collection of beautiful drawings of birds, fishes, and marine 

 productions, &q., and Dr. Langsdorf has stuffed and prepared 

 the most of these birds, fishes, &c. 



1 have already acquainted you from Kamtschatka of my 

 plan, which is to produce a correct chart of the Great Ocean, 

 for which I have been collecting materials for these several 

 years. This idea was strengthened at Nangasacki, where I 

 had both time and opportunity : I have it a"t present in con- 

 templation to write a particular work upon the Great or 

 Pacific Ocean. Upon my return to Europe, when I enjoy 

 more leisure, I shall proceed in that work. 



As scon as we received our dispatches from Jehdo, we 

 laboured night and day to get away. On the 17th of April, 

 the ambassador came on board ; the Japanese towed us from 

 our anchorage out into the open sea, although there was 

 every presage of a storm, which indeed soon followed. I 

 weighed anchor on the 18th of April, and put to sea. We 

 were very fortunate in enjoying good weather during our 

 examination of the coasts of Japan. As I was obliged to be 

 in Kamtschatka by the beginning of June, we could lay 

 down but a very few points in Japan. The rocks which 

 surround a little island near Cape Patience were the last 

 part we saw of Sagalia : immense islands of ice drove us to 

 the south-east. We then resolved to sail for Kamtschatka 

 without delay, in order to put ashore the amhafstdor, who 

 •fished to travel towards St. Petersburg. At last I have an- 

 chored 



